Which app is causing this please??

[GalaxyS2Kent]

I keep getting a text message telling me this: "U are subscribed to Apple iPad Play 77win co/FreePlay for £4.50 per week until you send STOP to 88775." I know I did not subscribe to ANYTHING so where does this come from and how do they have the authority to charge it to my monthly phone tariff? My provider is Tesco and I did notify them the first time (I called them but did not send a STOP message on their advice). They removed the charge and I thought that was the end of it. Now a few minutes ago I got yet another one of the messages. I did the online chat with Tesco and they advised me to go ahead and text STOP, which I've now done. But I'd like to know if an app I installed is causing this..... if so I want to remove it. It is so unfair for them to be able to just plop a charge on my account without any authorization.

Any advice?

 

[EarlyMon]

On your phone, can you long press the message and get an option to block it?

 

[Unforgiven]

That sounds like premium messaging, like you clicked a browser ad for free ringtones. My son did that to me for $9.95 a month in carrier billing a long time ago. He clicked a link for a free ESPN ringtone and entered his phone number from a computer browser. You probably need to unsubscribe and or block it at the carrier. For Verizon I was able to disable premium messaging on my plan (all three phones) and it nixed the one he signed up for, and prevents any other 3rd party billing via my phone bill. I'm not sure how that works tesco.

 

[GalaxyS2Kent]

On your phone, can you long press the message and get an option to block it?

Hmmm I tried that but it doesn't work. I have the option to delete it but not to block it. I have a Samsung Galaxy S4. If you know how to do that, please tell me.

 

[Unforgiven]

It doesn't look like they have blocking capability.

http://www.tesco.com/direct/help/seller-terms-conditions.page

 

[GalaxyS2Kent]

That sounds like premium messaging, like you clicked a browser ad for free ringtones. My son did that to me for $9.95 a month in carrier billing a long time ago. He clicked a link for a free ESPN ringtone and entered his phone number from a computer browser. You probably need to unsubscribe and or block it at the carrier. For Verizon I was able to disable premium messaging on my plan (all three phones) and it nixed the one he signed up for, and prevents any other 3rd party billing via my phone bill. I'm not sure how that works tesco.

I've just now deleted all my ringtone and wallpaper apps. There is surely some way to block this but the Tesco chat rep didn't mention it, but he/she did say if I do get charged to let them know and they would remove it. I did finally send a STOP message and got a reply. I hope that's the last of it!! But I am so incensed that the onus is on me anyway as I never subscribed to anything!!

 

[Unforgiven]

I've just now deleted all my ringtone and wallpaper apps. There is surely some way to block this but the Tesco chat rep didn't mention it, but he/she did say if I do get charged to let them know and they would remove it. I did finally send a STOP message and got a reply. I hope that's the last of it!! But I am so incensed that the onus is on me anyway as I never subscribed to anything!!

Don't beat yourself up over it. I was pissed at my son for being so stupid. He showed me what he did and if I wasn't looking for it I would have fallen for the same trap.

It's a dirtly little secret of the telecom business and I think the option to disable it at the carrier in the US was a class action lawsuit. That's why the page I linked is so convoluted. Tesco gets a cut of what they collect for doing nothing but playing billing middleman. The "seller" doesn't really sell you anything but sends a sham sms message occasionally to meet the minimum legal standard for providing a service. Everyone makes it confusing for the subscriber because its just a gravy train of essentially free revenue.

A couple of references.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cramming_(fraud)
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/Fina...y-3rd-party-charges-protect/story?id=14065780

 

[Hadron]

I don't think that blocking on the phone would help: you need to stop it being sent to be sure that you won't be billed.

As others have said, it's a con where you clicked on something and didn't spot the small print. If you need more information about these things in the UK, or to make a complaint, then look here: http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/For-the-Public.aspx

 

[mikedt]

Could have been some freebie app or game done it, it sent a text subscribing you to this £4.50 p/w premium rate SMS thing. The actual information was probably in very small letters somewhere.

FYI:
http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/
88775

Customer care number: 0333 202 0419
Customer care email: help@careformobile.com
Search result provided by: Remote Games Ltd
Service connected on: 10 October 2014
Service terminated on: This service is still operating
Name of service: Remote Games
Type of service: Competition - non-scratchcard
Service description: Quiz subscription
How much does this service cost?£1.50 per message

If you do text "STOP" to 88775, they are required by the premium-rate regulator PhonepayPlus to unsubscribe you immediately. You could take it up with PhonepayPlus, send a complaint.