If you get your o2 bill and it is higher than expected and on checking the bill in myo2 you find have either have a premium rate charge or a charge to mobile value on your bill, then you may have fallen for a scam on the internet or actually used one of the services.
O2 has provided a short video (see below) explaining about premium SMS numbers and how to avoid "bill shock":
O2 are not the ones that regulate this type of common issue but the regulator Phone-paid Services Authority.
In this self-help guide, I hope to point you in the correct direction to hopefully get your money back from the scammers.
Facebook and other social media platforms are where these scams come from and by being more vigilant on there should also help you in not getting these in future.
O2 can only apply a block on your account for outgoing premium rate services (Confirmed)
NOTE: If you need to block unsolicited incoming calls, you can register on TPS online which should take you off the national marketing database.
To reclaim any fraudulent charges, you need to follow the clear process outlined here https://psauthority.org.uk/For-Consumers/Ive-Been-Charged-What-Next I will not repeat the process here as it is better explained there. It is not down to o2 to issue refunds (but you may get a goodwill gesture)
O2’s advice is also available here https://www.o2.co.uk/help/account-and-billing/premium-service-checker again unclear if they will block incoming or just outgoing.
O2 charge to mobile can be blocked as per the advice here https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Welcome-News/Charge-to-Mobile-amp-Premium-SMS-A-Community-Guide/td-p/1...
I hope this guide will help others understand why, when you call/live chat with o2 sometimes you may not get the response you are expecting.
Some useful external links
http://psauthority.org.uk/
Some extra Info I have is the following list is the top 20 Premium rate services along with all options for contact cost etc source PSA website
| Short code |
Service |
Company |
Contact |
Stop Option |
Keyword |
Subscription |
Cost |
| 80114 |
Reverse charge Calls |
08000MUMDAD |
0800 015 1455
support@08000mumdad.co.uk
http://08000mumdad.co.uk |
STOP ALL |
08000MUMDAD |
No |
£4.00 initial charge |
| 61177 |
Wizzminds Weekly Competition |
Artiq Mobile |
0800 015 5139
info.uk@wizzminds.com
http://www.wizzminds.com/uk/ |
STOP ALL |
N/A |
Yes |
£4.50 pw |
| 66299 |
Mobile Download |
Cellfie Lalamobi |
support@lalamobi.com
http://lalamobi.com/uk/contacts.html |
STOP ALL |
YAY |
Yes |
£4.50 PW |
| 85555 |
Channel 5 Competitions |
Channel 5 |
0208 114 7001 |
STOP ALL |
Varied |
No |
£2.00 |
| 83958 |
Capital Radio |
Global Radio Services |
0149 475 0500
Customerservice@winplc.com |
STOP ALL |
Varied |
No |
£1.00 |
| 65557 |
Competition - xFactor, GMB, BGT |
ITV |
0344 881 4150
itvihelp@itv.com |
STOP ALL |
N/A |
No |
£2.00 |
| 81119 |
Competition - This Morning, Loose Women |
ITV |
0344 881 4150
itvihelp@itv.com |
STOP ALL |
N/A |
No |
£2.00 |
| 62525 |
Competition - xFactor, GMB, BGT |
ITV |
0344 881 4150
itvihelp@itv.com |
STOP ALL |
N/A |
No |
£2.00 |
| 68333 |
Competition - xFactor, The Voice |
ITV |
0344 881 4150
itvihelp@itv.com |
STOP ALL |
N/A |
No |
£2.00 |
| 68123 |
Competition - I'm a celebrity, Dickinsons real deal |
ITV |
0344 881 4150
itvihelp@itv.com |
STOP ALL |
N/A |
No |
£2.00 |
| 88323 |
Competition - Dickinson's Real Deal |
ITV |
0344 881 4150
itvihelp@itv.com |
STOP ALL |
N/A |
No |
£2.00 |
| 78555 |
Gaming |
OpenMarket / MXTelecom |
0207 754 8998
cs@uk.openmarket.com |
STOP ALL |
Varied |
No |
£1.00 |
| 80876 |
Service |
Paysera |
support@paysera.com |
STOP ALL |
PIP |
Yes |
Varied |
| 60077 |
Prizehook |
S P Two |
0330 134 0183 |
STOP ALL |
Varied |
Yes |
£4.00 |
| 60044 |
Competition |
SB7 Mobile |
0330 134 0181
help@sb7mobile.com |
STOP ALL |
Varied |
No |
£4.50 Per Msg |
| 79100 |
Win Con Sites |
Storacall Technology |
0333 332 1972 |
STOP ALL |
DOG, COTTAGE |
Yes |
£1.50 |
| 87066 |
Multiple Companies Services |
Tap2Bill |
0333 003 0581
customer.service@tap2bill.com |
STOP ALL |
Varied |
Yes |
£4.50 PW |
| 60447 |
Discount Voucher Website |
Viva La Voucher |
0344 745 1791
enquiries@vivalavoucher.com
http://www.vivalavoucher.com |
STOP ALL |
N/A |
Yes |
£2.00 pw |
| 88227 |
Competition |
Xinion |
0333 202 7721
contact@customercaredepot.co.uk |
STOP ALL |
N/A |
No |
Varied |
