Prizefun, SB7 mobile Ltd scam
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Hi,
I was on my phone try to read a rolling stone article when some screen popped up on top with some silly questions.
I assumed it was one of those nag survey screens you see on websites where you have to answer questions in order to read the article. I answer a few of the questions but the popup would not disappear so I just gave up.
Next thing I know I get a text message telling me I will be charged £15 for 3 entries to PrizeFun.
Thinking back, just before I dismissed the page, I did see something at the bottom in small writing saying click to enter - you will be charged £5. It was in tiny writing and certainly not clear that clicking the answer buttons would make the charge.
I have rang the number on the text message but they refuse to cancel the charges.
Firstly, I did not even know it was possible to be billed £5 for just clicking a single button on a phone browser - no confirmation, no payment details etc. How can I disable this?
Also, any ideas how I can get my money back.
Thanks for any help.
I was on my phone try to read a rolling stone article when some screen popped up on top with some silly questions.
I assumed it was one of those nag survey screens you see on websites where you have to answer questions in order to read the article. I answer a few of the questions but the popup would not disappear so I just gave up.
Next thing I know I get a text message telling me I will be charged £15 for 3 entries to PrizeFun.
Thinking back, just before I dismissed the page, I did see something at the bottom in small writing saying click to enter - you will be charged £5. It was in tiny writing and certainly not clear that clicking the answer buttons would make the charge.
I have rang the number on the text message but they refuse to cancel the charges.
Firstly, I did not even know it was possible to be billed £5 for just clicking a single button on a phone browser - no confirmation, no payment details etc. How can I disable this?
Also, any ideas how I can get my money back.
Thanks for any help.
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Comments
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Did you put your phone number in?:beer:0
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You will need to report it to phonepayplus http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/
You should also send "STOP" to the text number to stop further charges being madeIt's not just about the money0 -
Did you put your phone number in?
No - no phone number entry - just a click of a button on the web page. It seems that on an android phone, you can rack up mobile phone charges simply by clicking a button on a browser page.
I even have in-app purchases disabled in the Play Store and password authorisation required to make a purchase - made no difference.0 -
You will need to report it to phonepayplus http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/
You should also send "STOP" to the text number to stop further charges being made
There is no text number shown in the receipt sms I received - only a landline number to call. Already called them to cancel.
Thanks.0 -
Have you actually been charged or just had messages telling you that you have? You may find the only charges are from the number you called to cancel. Was it a premium rate number?0
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Just had a look at http://prizefun.com on my PC.
It says, "This is a subscription service that will cost £4.50 per week until you send STOP to 60083 to unsubscribe at any time (other comps may operate on a different number, you must reply to the 5 digit shortcode you are receiving messages from).
http://www.smswatchdog.com/text-message-from/PrizeFun.com/1 shows that you are not on your own.0 -
Did you win ?0
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HoofeHearted wrote: »Just had a look at prizefun.com on my PC.
It says, "This is a subscription service that will cost £4.50 per week until you send STOP to 60083 to unsubscribe at any time (other comps may operate on a different number, you must reply to the 5 digit shortcode you are receiving messages from).
http://www.smswatchdog.com/text-message-from/PrizeFun.com/1 shows that you are not on your own.
You get a different screen when you browse from a mobile phone browser - not the £4.50 subscription service - much worse - the £5 a click competition! No replying to messages etc - one click and you get charged!
FYI: The text message I got was as follows:
FreeMsg: you've paid £15.00 for 3 Entries from PrizeFun (visited at 10:01am) HELP? 02035406597, care.bwud9f@pfi-sb7.com0 -
superbigal36 wrote: »Did you win ?
Spent several minutes with Vodafone CS and it seems that whilst I was charged £15, 'as the charges were wrongly charged to you, so the system refunded and removed the charges on the account.'
I have kept the chat transcript - just in case I do end up getting charged when my bill arrives so I can contest it.
Thanks to everyone for their replies.
FYI: The company who run this scheme are called sb7 mobile.0 -
Looks like they have had their wrists slapped before.
http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/For-Business/Adjudications/2010/7/SB7-Mobile-Ltd-CAS-01370-9RM0C0-Track-2-4A33FA2E-6880-E011-A937-001B7899F8F4.aspx0
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