@lucy1
Zapwin is a 'Payforit' scam operated by a company called Wahoo Ltd and using shortcode 83463.
These companies use vulnerabilities of the 'Payforit' system to obtain consumers numbers and sign them up to bogus subscriptions. Simply closing an innocent looking popup can pass your number to these scammers.
O2 appear to have a policy of not helping members affected by these scams, so you will have to take action yourself to stop the charges and obtain a refund.
Sending a STOP ALL text to 83463 should stop further charges. You can then call them on 03300538652 to insist on a FULL refund. You can also call Tap2Bill (who handled the payment) on 0333 003 0599 or email them at customer.service<at>tap2bill.com. The address of Wahoo Ltd is Wahoo London, 124 Cromwell Road, Kensington, London, SW7 4ET.
If a full refund is refused, insist on your right to be shown proof that you entered into contact with them. Ask for:
- 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.
- If the subscription started after 11th May 2019, auditable proof of the additional authentication used (as required to comply with O2/GiffGaff rules)
- Full company details of the company operating the service, country of registration, full name of company, company number and registered company address.
- Details of the Accredited Payment Intermediary(API) which handled the payment
- Details of the company’s disputes procedure, including any ADR scheme you can refer the matter to if they fail to provide a full refund.
Wahoo (London) Ltd are also members of the CommsADR scheme, so if you remain dissatisfied you can raise a claim with them here: https://www.commsadr.co.uk/createclaim/ . The company will be bound to abide by the outcome of ADR, while you will not. So you can still take your case through the Small Claims procedure if necessary. If you use ADR, please let us know how it works out for you, as this is a relatively new option.
'Payforit' charges are applied directly to your account by a 'third party' which has acquired your phone number. O2 make no check that you have consented to these charges. You can ask O2 to place a ‘charge to bill’ bar on your account, which will protect you from further ‘Payforit’ scams. However, be aware that his is a blunt instrument and will also stop other third party charges such as donating to charity and voting in TV competitions
You need to be aware that O2 leak your phone number to third parties when you access the internet using mobile data, and this is probably how your number was acquired in order to make these charges. The system which does this is called 'Payforit'.
Comprehensive and independent information and advice on dealing with these scams is on the payforitsucks website. This website won't blame you for being scammed and provides constructive advice about forcing the scammers to refund. Specialist and legal support is also available through the site if you encounter difficulties. Google "payforitsucks" or follow the link to the faq in my signature. The website contains detailed advice on the steps you need to take to stop further charges, obtain a refund and protect yourself from these scams in the future.
I hope you manage to resolve this matter. These scams are a disgrace to the mobile communications industry and O2 should be doing more to assist affected customers and to protect them from these scams.
Paul
