topic Strange text message? in Discussions & Feedback

Strange text message?

Anonymous — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:15:35 GMT

Hello, just got a txt from 850 66 which says :

FreeMsg: Utext! Our New SMS service, get 1000 SMS per week. Text YES to 85066
Join Utext web2mob SMS for £3/week EVisn 08445796350 To Leave text STOP to 85066

Any one know what this is about? as it does not look very legit imo?

Strange text message?

jonsie — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 16:46:38 GMT

Enter it into the site below and it comes up as a premium text service costing £1.50 per text. In my humble opinion, don't reply as it can be difficult to stop their service, even though you send STOP ALL to them.

PhonepayPlus

Strange text message?

Anonymous — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:32:09 GMT

ok thanks i just deleted it anyways

Strange text message?

jonsie — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:03:44 GMT

Strange text message?

Anonymous — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:19:35 GMT

Got exactly the same message a couple of days ago, and sent STOP to the number provided. Nothing since. Fingers crossed

SV

Strange text message?

Anonymous — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 21:09:43 GMT

Have you checked to see if you were charged for that??

Strange text message?

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:36:51 GMT

Should i have text STOP?

Strange text message?

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:47:54 GMT

Have you checked to see if you were charged for that??

Meant to. Slipped my mind. Have now. No, no charge

Did get charged 9p for the STOP message though, which is standard rate as they're classed as interactive.

SV

Strange text message?

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:50:41 GMT

Should i have text STOP?

Yes, as it said on your text "STOP to 85066". Best to do it now, only costs a few pence and can't do any harm.

If you receive another though, that may mean they've signed you up because you didn't reply, in which case then text STOP ALL, to that number.

It's all very underhand - dodgy business practices by these companies IMHO and o2 encourage them.

SV

Strange text message?

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:09:19 GMT

i thought it ment if you join by texting YES to text STOP if you want to leave once you have joined

Strange text message?

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:20:46 GMT

i thought it ment if you join by texting YES to text STOP if you want to leave once you have joined

It does read that way with this one. Usually with these things you have to text STOP when you received the first one, otherwise they tend to sign you up indefinitely. If that happens then you text STOP ALL.

As I said, there's no harm texting STOP to be on the safe side. Up to you of course.

SV

Strange text message?

jonsie — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:00:04 GMT

As I said, there's no harm texting STOP to be on the safe side. Up to you of course.
SV

Yes, thinking about it, that's good advice.

Strange text message?

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:03:23 GMT

I also got one of these texts. I was half asleep when I got the text from 'Utext' and stupidly replied 'YES' thinking it was an o2 promotion. Straight away it took 3 pounds from my phone and when I frantically replied 'STOP' 5 times it just continued to take my money (as well as charging me 10p service charge for the texts). After reading these post I again texted 'STOP ALL' but don't know if it's worked. I don't know what to do as I can't ring anyone now this late at night and I'm worried it'll just keep taking my money as it doesn't let me cancel or stop it! Can anyone help me please? Can I stop this and get my money back? I can't believe o2 have allowed this! I haven't given my number to any such services nor to any promotional company so how did this 'Utext' get my number in the first place?!

Strange text message?

Anonymous — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 08:40:57 GMT

It's illegal under UK law for a company to send unsolicited marketing SMS messages to people. The Information Commissioner handles complaints.

http://www.ico.gov.uk/what_we_cover/pri ... asics.aspx

Strange text message?

jonsie — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:30:27 GMT

I also got one of these texts. I was half asleep when I got the text from 'Utext' and stupidly replied 'YES' thinking it was an o2 promotion. Straight away it took 3 pounds from my phone and when I frantically replied 'STOP' 5 times it just continued to take my money (as well as charging me 10p service charge for the texts). After reading these post I again texted 'STOP ALL' but don't know if it's worked. I don't know what to do as I can't ring anyone now this late at night and I'm worried it'll just keep taking my money as it doesn't let me cancel or stop it! Can anyone help me please? Can I stop this and get my money back? I can't believe o2 have allowed this! I haven't given my number to any such services nor to any promotional company so how did this 'Utext' get my number in the first place?!

See similar problem @ viewtopic.php?t=22497&highlight= then go to Phonepay Plus for advice on getting a refund (see Popular questions).

Hope this helps

Strange text message?

Anonymous — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:29:38 GMT

Thanks for the info Steve. I emailed the company asking for a refund and to take my number off their lists. Hopefully they will reply and I'll get my money back. Thanks!