Scam Texts 02 useless in not helping

[Mike3]

I have been charged £4 every month on 27th for over a year for RECEIVING ! an unsolicited text from 65202. I have complained to O2 and have text stop and called the company. There is lots of info online to show this is a scam company in Cyprus. It charges for sending people adverts !! O2 have been useless and say they can’t help! Help!!

[Cleoriff · Accepted solution]

Hi @Mike3 

Take a look at this guide https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/How-to-Guides/Have-you-fallen-for-or-been-conned-into-a-premium-rate-s...

Another helpful site to help you recover money is this one https://payforitsucks.co.uk/

Hope this helps and welcome to the forum 

[TallTrees]

Hi @Mike3 

Absolutely terrible ~ scammers are truly despicable and I am sorry you have had this happen to you.

It won't help you but it is more difficult for this to happen now because of a new law ~ albeit late.

https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/How-to-Guides/Tips-to-avoid-unexpected-charges-on-your-bill/ba-p/12182...

This is a great link to read.  Best of luck 

[TallTrees]

Hi @Mike3 

Work at this with the advice provided and you should be able to get your money back.

It will take some of your time but it is well worth it.  

As our Community Member @Cleoriff  mentioned an excellent site is Payforitsucks

they have lots of solid advice.

Don't let the scammers win ~ get your money back ~ good luck TallTrees

[Bambino]

@Mike3  Why have you waited so long before mentioning it here?

[MI5]

@Mike3 

The PSA has the following details for that shortcode:

65202 Customer care number

0203 514 6672

Customer care email

help@voucherpromotions.com

Customer care website

http://www.voucherpromotions.com

Search result provided by

Globo Mobile Kommunikation UG

Service connected on

17 January 2018

Service terminated on

This service is still operating

Name of service

Voucher Promotions

Type of service

Information

Service description

Globo Mobile Kommunikation UG has not provided this information

How much does this service cost?

£4.50 per month

If you would like to find out more about this service or have a question about it, then you should contact the service provider below.

Globo Mobile Kommunikation UG
Stresenmannstrasse 23
Berlin
10963
Germany

You can report them to the PSA by following this link https://psauthority.org.uk/for-consumers/service-checker/check-a-number-results but you should first contact them directly and request a stop to the service and a refund for any unsolicited charges.

[Payforit_Sucks]

@Mike3 

These Payforit scams are difficult to deal with when the scamming company is UK based, but it's even more difficult when they are based overseas.

O2 will have told you to pursue the matter with the "Third Party" company. It's important that you do what they say. Try to deal with the scam perpetrators by email. Ask them for a FULL refund and to provide you with:

• Screenshots of the subscription workflow where you were alleged to have signed up for this service.
• A description of what the service you are supposed to have subscribed to provides? Is this a newsletter, access to a web portal?
• Any evidence that after supposedly signing up for the service, you actually used it
• The complete web server log of the subscription, including the User Agent strings containing all device details (browser, device type, device IP address) together with dates and times.
• Full company details of the company operating the service, country of registration, full name of company, company number and registered company address.
• Details of any ADR scheme they are willing to use if you are refused a full refund.

If tis fails to produce a result, there is  European Small Claims process which could possibly be used.

However, under the Payforit rules, O2 have an obligation to accept an escalation of Payforit disputes once you have "discussed" the matter with the third party and can prove it.

If they fail to help you at this stage, you could pursue O2 through the Small Claims court, citing their negligence in failing to protect you from an overseas based scam.

[Mike3]

Many thanks for the advice

[jonsie]

Good luck with this @Mike3 , do let us know how you get on.

[Payforit_Sucks]

The company behind this scam has now been fined £750,000 by the Phone-paid Services Authority (PSA). The ruling also includes 

• a requirement that the Level 2 provider must refund all consumers who claim a refund for the full amount spent by them on the Service, within 28 days of their claim, save where there is good cause to believe such claims are not valid, and provide evidence to the PSA that such refunds have been made

If you were affected, make sure you claim your refund. Note that if you received a "goodwill" refund from O2, you can still claim a full refund from Globo Mobile Kommunikation UG who were responsible for the scam.

It's a disgrace that O2 continue to cooperate in these scams, and refuse to help their customers deal with them.

The full ruling is here: https://psauthority.org.uk/for-business/adjudications/2021/3/globo-mobile-kommunikation-ug-147804-tr...