I have recently had unsolicited premium rate texts sent to my phone - 02 say they probably got my number through downloading a 'free' ringtone.
I did not reply to the text, just opened it. Cost me £2.98 ta very much, and happening frequently.
The 'company' involved use the text message 'someone you know would like to have a date with you' - I have never subscribed to this company, or any other.

I have spoken to three different 02 advisors with three different opinions.

The first 02 gave me a number to text the sender with a STOP message - did not work - got text back with 'do not recognise stop'

The second 02 said I was stuck with the problem 'for ever' but if I did not read the message I would not be charged, but if I opened it or deleted it I would be charged:loopy:

Th third and most lucid 02 said it could not be 'stopped' by text, he did not know at what point I would incur a charge, but advised of a government (I think) body -
ICSTIS on 0800500212 who can stop the unwanted texts
I will try this tomorrow.

Has anyone got any feedback, or similar experiences?:rant:

there is an organsation which polices things like this and hands out fines to companies that operate outside of the guidelines. I'm not sure if it's oftel or a seperate government watchdog kind of thing.
Tell O2 that you are not going to pay for those texts as they are unsolicited and that you'll leave them and go to a different service provider if they don't become a bit more helpful...

A friend of mine had a similar problem. She had a pay as you go phone and she was bombarded with these texts over about a week, several a day. It used up all her credit so she didn't top her phone up again for a while. When she did top up, she recieved loads more and it used up all her credit again. She Text stop (again a premuim rate text) which didn't work and was then given a number to call (again premuim rate) to get it stopped. In the end she just got another sim card as she did everything to stop it but couldn't.

I get loads of those 'dating' texts and I just delete them.

It must be something to do with ringtone sites and the like because I've NEVER had any spam and I've had the number for 10 years.

It's a bit below the belt that these texts work in this way. Surely the networks could bar these?

I used to get them on Vodafone pay as you go and they are very annoying and costly.I just deleted them in the end when i realised no-one really wanted a date with me!:sad:

Originally posted by Tony
It's a bit below the belt that these texts work in this way. Surely the networks could bar these?

Probably, but it's not in their interests, financially.

Out of interest, has anyone had any bluetooth spam?

I had this problem a few times so registered my phone with TPS http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/tps/

On that site they state

Since 11 December 2003 it is unlawful to send an unsolicited SMS marketing message to an individual. If you would like to complain about the receipt of such a message please contact the Office of the Information Commissioner. If the message contains a premium rate number contact ICSTIS. You will find contact details are under useful links

Also, if you are on Orange you can forward any SMS like this to 7726 (SPAM) and they will have a look in to it.

Anyway, after I did these things I stopped getting spam so it seems to work.

Cheers

V

Originally posted by alchresearch
Probably, but it's not in their interests, financially.

Out of interest, has anyone had any bluetooth spam?

The thing about bluetooth spammers is they are less than 50ft away from you (usually).

I had someone plonk an empty contact - 'SE Rulez' - on my phone once . Now I only switch BT on when I need it (plus it saves on power).

Originally posted by Phanerothyme
The thing about bluetooth spammers is they are less than 50ft away from you (usually).



I imagine this is going to get much worse they they launch that new local network in a couple of years time - the one where there is a small transmitter in things like streetlamps broadcasting 'useful local information'.

Being a Luddite might just come into its own! ;)

thought u needed a "passkey" for blue tooth, which had to be entered in to both handsets

Originally posted by Robbie_Lovin
thought u needed a "passkey" for blue tooth, which had to be entered in to both handsets

Yea you do. Usually 0000.

To the guy who started this thread...
Ive been getting alot of Summer Picture txt messages from o2. Are these the ones which cost? Ive had about 5now and ive never used any ringtone service. Its only started recently...

Edited response

:confused: ok im sorry. :thumbsup:

Originally posted by rickmiles85
:confused: ok im sorry. :thumbsup:

No worries mate. My fault :thumbsup:

Well it was just advertisments in a picture message. Showing a person enjying themselves and then below saying something like "how to get the best from your o2 mobile this summer" a one off is ok but nearly one every two days got annoying.

Right, I see. Being from 02 and 'unsolicited' I wouln't have thought you would be charged for them.
The stuff I am getting, it was made illegal to send late last year. Some sort of rogue company. It seems even 02 have not got a contact for them, just an incomplete email address, they say:loopy:

My sister had a problem like this with a ringtone site, which she did subscribe to, but every time she unsubscribed it didnt work and she kept getting charged for messages she didnt want.

I went through the unsubscription process with her one last time, doing a print screen at every stage and saving the picture. We then emailed the company (Ringtone King or something similar), told them we had proof of unsubscription and if they deducted a single penny more from her account, we would be informing Trading Standards.

A few hours later she got an email confirming she had been unsubscribed from all their services and an apology for the inconvenience.

Job Done :)

I was with 02 for a couple of years, and have to say that they are poo to the highest degree.

Phone them one more time, and tell them that either THEY do something about it (and refund all your lost credit) or you will inform trading standards, watchdog and offtel AND you will switch networks.

That might get them off their crappy arses.:D

Originally posted by LittleWitch
I was with 02 for a couple of years, and have to say that they are poo to the highest degree.

Phone them one more time, and tell them that either THEY do something about it (and refund all your lost credit) or you will inform trading standards, watchdog and offtel AND you will switch networks.

That might get them off their crappy arses.:D


chances are if your on PAYG they wont be that bothered

Originally posted by Robbie_Lovin
chances are if your on PAYG they wont be that bothered
No, Have a good deal - 50 free anytime mins per month 'for life'
no monthly contract charge EVER, on the 'pay up front for life' tarif.
Trouble is I don't use much more than the free 50 mins, so maybe this is why they can't be bothered:mad:

I keep getting similar messages as well, it's annoying cos I only ever put £10 top ups on my phone on O2, but these damn messages mean the damn tenner's worth of credit only lasts me about a week and half if that! :mad:

To add insult to injury, the 02 online shop have just debited my credit card to the tune of two quid (ish) for something called 'bunnik'
Never ordered it, never received it. Presumably a ringtone:loopy:
Visa are sorting it

Sorry to drag up an old thread...

I've recently been getting spam texts to my mobile, all about events that are sheffield based and from numbers that i cannot text 'STOP' back to...

has anyone else had these?

I'm not sure if they are charging me for the privilege or not, i'm trying to work that one out!

Sorry to drag up an old thread...

I've recently been getting spam texts to my mobile, all about events that are sheffield based and from numbers that i cannot text 'STOP' back to...

has anyone else had these?

I'm not sure if they are charging me for the privilege or not, i'm trying to work that one out!
I haven't had anything like that em3978.

(I did stop getting the premium rate texts though. I think someone at o2 got a 'team leader' to sort it out)

It's illegal to send premium rate text messages which can't be stopped by sending STOP back. And since it's illegal, only irreputable companies do it, and then make it very difficult to contact them. If the texts are about events in Sheffield, I would doubt you are being charged for them unless it's legit. Have you tried sending STOP back anyway?

For the record, I know that Leadmill doesn't charge and I'm fairly sure Plug doesn't. Don't know about anywhere else tho.

from numbers that i cannot text 'STOP' back to...

oddly enough i might just have tried that!!!!

They are not leadmil or plug, i had a Banus one and todays was a 'secret gig with a secret bus going from outside nando's on west street'

I do not give my mobile number to anyone other than those who need it, have never signed up to anything with my number, emailled or downloaded anything to my phone....

Well I've jsut had another one, so currently they are at a rate of one a day...

This one was again Banus, advertising a ladies night.... fortunatley this one came with the ability to be texted back with 'STOP' so i did...

If i find out where they got my mob number from.... :rant:

Anyone getting these on their mobile?

From: 87666

"FreeMsg: A chance to win 1 of 50 IPODS. Are Polar bears white or brown? Text Cash + answer to 87666 by 20/07. Join Wquz for £3/week 08445796366 Txt stop 2 stop"

I'm not sure what this is costing me to receive & I'm certainly not replying to it.

I don't know how they got my mobile number.

Anyone had any success stopping this ****e?

thought u needed a "passkey" for blue tooth, which had to be entered in to both handsets

Thats only if you'r pairing, certain operations (such as sending a business card or conact) don't require this as they aren't actually browsing you'r phone.