SimonBones 1 #1 January 19, 2010 Has anyone had any experience with this before? Last month there was a $10 charge on my cell phone account for a "premium text message" service. I've never heard of this before so I looked it up and called Verizon. Apparently this has something to do with those advertisements you see here and there about texting a code to a 5 digit number, which I've never done. According to Verizon, someone can sign up for this service online for you using your phone number and it authorizes the company to charge you through your phone provider and the cell phone provider can not stop it. After a mess with Verizon I got them to put a block on all future premium text messaging services from attaching themselves to my cell phone account. I had to send some text messages to a 5 digit number with stop codes to cancel their billing. I though the problem was solved. This month, the same charge was on my account from the same company. Apparently they did not stop charging me despite the block texts and the confirmation. The phone numbers on their website do not reach live people, only voice recordings and there is no response from any email addresses. After calling Verizon again and royally freaking out on them, they tell me that they can not stop the third party charge from before the block was put on my account. If the company refuses to stop billing me, then the only way to stop it is to cancel my cell phone service and get a new phone number through someone else. I think this might be what I have to do because I'm not paying $120 extra a year to a scam. Any other ideas or experiences on a scam like this?108 way head down world record!!! http://www.simonbones.com Hit me up on Facebook Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ketia0 0 #2 January 19, 2010 I noticed it on my phone bill this month too.. So I went through my last 6 months worth of bills... and all of them have a $9.99 charge for premium text. I called verizon, and told them this was absolutely unacceptable, and to block it. They sent me a text that says premuim text are blocked... Let them try and bill me one more time! "In this game you can't predict the future. You just have to play the odds. "-JohnMitchell Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d_squared431 0 #3 January 19, 2010 I check my bill monthly to make sure I am not getting billed for items I shouldn't. I hope you two get that premium text msg thing worked out.TPM Sister#130ONTIG#1 I love vodka.I love vodka cause it rhymes with Tuaca~LisaH You having a clean thought is like billyvance having a clean post.iluvtofly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SimonBones 1 #4 January 19, 2010 If you use Verizon and don't have this problem, I'd strongly recommend calling them up and asking them to put an account block on premium text messaging services anyway, just to make sure you don't get stuck with this problem in the future. It's like asking them to turn off the ability for people to scam you. Apparently if someone has your phone number, you can be signed up for a scam like this online, then you're screwed and Verizon can't turn it off.108 way head down world record!!! http://www.simonbones.com Hit me up on Facebook Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy0689 0 #5 January 19, 2010 I had that on my bill a few times too. Called Sprint, had it refunded and the number blocked so it shouldn't show up in the future. The person I spoke with said there's some loophole that the owner's of this service have figured out and the phone companies have no way of figuring out if the customer actually signed up for it or signed up by someone else. Because of this, they leave it until someone calls to complain about it.Andy I'll believe it when I see it on YouTube! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
d_squared431 0 #6 January 19, 2010 I have my acct set that only I am the only one who can change options on it and nothing can be added or deleted from my acct unless I give a verbal password. I also get text msg email alerts if someone tries to add or change my acct.TPM Sister#130ONTIG#1 I love vodka.I love vodka cause it rhymes with Tuaca~LisaH You having a clean thought is like billyvance having a clean post.iluvtofly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #7 January 19, 2010 According to Verizon: QuoteAccount holders can disable Premium Messaging. To disable Premium Message, log in to My Verizon, click on My Services, then My Plan and then Add/Remove Features. Check the box title Block Premium SMS. The feature will need to be added to each line on the account individually. This feature will prevent anyone using those lines to subscribe to new Premium Messaging programs or incur premium charges from new programs. I checked my own accounts, and this isn't on them, so I don't think it was ever a service available on my own lines.Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #8 January 19, 2010 Premium text services are a double opt-in feature. It's possible someone messed with your phone. Voting on American Idol can incur premium charges, etc. They don't just appear though. http://support.vzw.com/faqs/Premium_TXT_and_MMS/faq_premium_txt_and_mms.html QuoteWhat is Premium Text Messaging? Premium Text Messaging refers to special programs that require an additional fee to subscribe. A premium charge for the subscription is billed to your mobile phone account or deducted from your pre-paid credit, in addition to the standard messaging rates that will be billed for all messages that originate from or terminate to your handset. Premium Text subscriptions are initiated through special numbers, which are 4, 5, or 6 digit numbers called ‘Short Codes’, and always require your consent for the purchase before any messaging content is distributed or participation in any premium messaging program is allowed. Examples of Premium Text subscription campaigns are: * Sports alerts: MLB, NFL etc.. * Weather alerts, jokes, stock quotes, horoscopes, etc.. * Trivia. * Mobile coupons. * Interactive Radio requesting a song to be played. * Interactive TV shows and voting such as Deal or no Deal and Rockstar. Standard messaging rates always apply along with premium charges. QuoteHow do I opt-in to a Premium Text Messaging program? To opt-in to a Premium Text Messaging program you must first send a Text Message to a premium content short code (opt-in) and then participate in the Premium Text Messaging service or application. If you are a postpaid Verizon Wireless subscriber, your request will be processed and the Text Message will be sent back to you with the premium charge for the service. In order to subscribe to the service, you must respond back to the Text Message that was sent to you accepting the premium charge and confirming your approval of the premium charge to complete the process. Once you accept the premium charge, you will receive a Text Message thanking you for participation, which may include additional instructions to continue with the Premium Text Messaging program or may contain the content that you selected. QuoteHow do I opt-out of a Premium Text Messaging program? Any Premium Text Messaging program, or short code program, that is approved for use on the Verizon Wireless' network requires that one (1) of the following five (5) words be used to stop participation in the program: QUIT STOP END CANCEL UNSUBSCRIBE To opt-out of a Premium Text Messaging program, send a Text message to the program’s short code with one of the commands listed above in the body of the message. Example Message To: 42222 Message: STOP If you are unable to opt-out using the keyword, make sure the auto signature feature on your device is turned off when sending the Text message. If auto signature is turned on, you will need to remove the signature from the message body and resend the Text message. QuoteAre there any additional charges to use a Premium Text Messaging program? Yes. Standard Text messaging rates will always apply for sending and receiving Text messages. Some Premium Text Messaging programs may require additional fees or a subscription before participating in the service. If you have to pay an additional charge, Premium Text Messaging services that are approved for use on Verizon Wireless network will include a double opt-in when you first participate. The Text message sent from the premium provider will explain the additional charge and require you to opt-in again to participate in the service. QuoteHow do I block phone numbers on my account from using Premium Messaging? Account holders can disable Premium Messaging. To disable Premium Message, log in to My Verizon, click on My Services, then My Plan and then Add/Remove Features. Check the box title Block Premium SMS. The feature will need to be added to each line on the account individually. This feature will prevent anyone using those lines to subscribe to new Premium Messaging programs or incur premium charges from new programs. So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SimonBones 1 #9 January 19, 2010 QuotePremium text services are a double opt-in feature. It's possible someone messed with your phone. Voting on American Idol can incur premium charges, etc. They don't just appear though. According to the techs I spoke with on the phone at Verizon, there have been problems with people being signed up for these services with no consensual opting and it can be done remotely through the internet. If someone has your name and phone number, a sleazy company can begin billing you without sending your phone any confirmation. If this happens, according to Verizon, they can't do anything to stop it. Even if they block future premium text services, it will only stop future ones but not ones that have already attached themselves to your account. At that point you have to hunt down the company and find the number codes to stop the billing. Some of them don't share those codes easily. Scammers are scammers. If they can find a loop hole to do it with, they will.108 way head down world record!!! http://www.simonbones.com Hit me up on Facebook Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
