64055 number SMS scam

[Anonymous]

It's 3.39 AM and I've just been woken by an unsolicited SMS message from 64055 saying -

"FreeMsg: Thank you for subscribing to FunPortal for £4.50 per week from FunPortal  until you text STOP to 64055. HELP? 01183244333"

I most certainly have not subscribed to any SMS service I abhor such things and have no wish to be disturbed at any time let alone near 4 in the morning, I keep my phone up to date with the offered system updates and as secure as I can with BitDefender, I do not sideload apps, I have "allow apps from unknown sources" disabled, I'm running the stock Android 6.01 and pay attention to anything asking for permissions to make calls or send messages and refuse to allow this.

How can I prevent such premium messages? How can I make sure I'm not having this money stolen from me for something completely unsolicited?

I have seen recomendations to follow the advice of text STOP to the number, but my phone actually pops up a warning message that I will be charged if I attempt to do this, and I'm very concerned that it will in fact also be abused by the scam as an aknowledgement that my phone is active.

[adamtemp64 · Accepted solution]

Follow the advice here http://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Pay-Monthly-and-Pay-Go/Have-you-fallen-for-or-been-conned-into-a-premiu...

find the company concerned and call the landline number

Edit to remove text after editing link text

[jonsie]

Merely clicking on a link can subscribe you to these pirates but the best way forward is to call the number and ask to be removed from their data base requesting a refund for any charges. 

[MI5]

Make sure you report the company too so that a profile can be built up.
The regulator will take action once they get enough negative reports which will help prevent others being scammed by the same company.

[Anonymous]

Report where / how?

Ok, looking through adamtemp64's linked thread, thanks.

[MI5]

Direct link here http://psauthority.org.uk/for-consumers/unexpected-phone-charge

[Anonymous]

I tried ringing the landline. They want your mobile number. No way will i give a company i don't know those details. So I tried the PSA. Completely useless and seemed to defend the scammers.
I have reported it to Action Fraud who will investigate
I suggest any one else reports it to Action Fraud.

[MI5]

I guess they will need your mobile number to know which on to take off their database ?

[gindygoo]

@Anonymous while I agree that I'd not want to give them my number, if they're already charging you they have it anyway. You do need to try and get it stopped yourself as I'll doubt action fraud will get that done for you!

Let us know how things pan out!

[Anonymous]

I had the exact same text again within the last two days.

That implies to me it's completely a fishing scam, none of the supposed £4,50 weekly texts appeared since the first message, but I will be examining my bill shortly and complaining very strongly to o2 if charges do appear since my initial complaint here.