Opera telecom

[NickF]

Hi, I incurred a premium charge for receiving a happy Christmas message that seems to have been sent (completely unsolicited) by Opera Telecom - 79050. How do I report this, stop them doing it again and to others, and get money back from O2 who levied the charge?

[Jey]

Thanks for all the information shared. The charges and issue going forward has now been resolved.

I eventually got a call back from Oxygen8 after I left a voice message on the number shared on this thread n was promised a refund. I was told I’ll get another SMS with instructions and will need to redeem the refund at the post office. (Still waiting for the SMS, although if coming from a premium number, I won’t get it).

I asked how they got my number in the first place and a technical glitch from one of their partners was their explanation. Anyway, they confirmed my number has been removed now.

O2 has also now looked into it and have blocked all premium services. It’s a shame it took a call to cancel my contract for them to act.

[Payforit_Sucks]

@Jey wrote:
Thanks for all the information shared. The charges and issue going forward has now been resolved.

I eventually got a call back from Oxygen8 after I left a voice message on the number shared on this thread n was promised a refund. I was told I’ll get another SMS with instructions and will need to redeem the refund at the post office. (Still waiting for the SMS, although if coming from a premium number, I won’t get it).

I asked how they got my number in the first place and a technical glitch from one of their partners was their explanation. Anyway, they confirmed my number has been removed now.

O2 has also now looked into it and have blocked all premium services. It’s a shame it took a call to cancel my contract for them to act.

---

It appears that these charges were due to a “technical error”. It really is time that O2 stopped processing these charges without proof of consent.

If you’ve received one of these fraudulent charges, please report your case to the regulator.
https://psauthority.org.uk/for-consumers/report-an-issue

The guilty party appears to have posted advice here:

https://who-called.co.uk/Number/79050

Hello,

On Christmas Eve there was a technical error where some people were charged to receive a text message. This should not of happened and apologies to anyone affected.

There has only been one charge of £3.00 (if you see £2.50 that is minus the vat on your bill) and no other charges.

We are in the process of alerting all effected but please if you have noticed this and not received any alert and refund please contact us.

Call us on 0344 745 1791 or email enquiries(at)mcomltd.com where the customer service team will assist you.

Hopefully the above information is helpful to anyone concerned.

[Kasper1977]

I have had 8 messages since upgrading my phone with o2 from Opera Telecom (scammers) totalling £7.50. o2 said that they will refund me. It’s only because I checked my account that I noticed . 

[gmarkj]

You need to contact the company sending the messages @Kasper1977 both to get the refund and to make sure they stop sending the messages.

Follow the advice above to make sure you get the outcome you are after.

[Vix]

Its 2023 and this issue is still going on.  I have been scammed out of £100+ and never even signed up to this.  O2 should do better at protecting people and their money.  O2 know about this and still not stopping it.  disgusting

[madasaf1sh]

@Vix 

You need to contact Opera Telecom, as o2 just pass on charges that your mobile has incurred, and they have no way of knowing if you have clicked on a link, as daft as it sound people do legitimately use these services (dont ask). 

Check your phone for any dodgy apps, or any texts where you have clicked on the link. 

At the end of the day its not o2 at fault.