TEXT MESSAGE SCAM

By DAVID
Published/Last Modified on Thursday, October 22, 2009 5:33 AM CDT

Cell phone Text message scam alert . Teenagers are subject to sign you up for $9.99 per month fee when answering an incoming text . Seems there is a loophole where your cell company cannot take action and you have no clue whom to contact to delete these charges . Teens cannot enter a legal contract but these text scams are binding . Can someone political help ? I do not know what government agency to contact . Please advise us if you know . TEXT number 73288

Print this story Post a Comment

Comments

steve westfall wrote on Jan 22, 2010 1:54 AM:

" I have had three of these different txt scams
all 9.99 each and i am with verizon wireless and
they told me that i am liable for all of them.i also
don't think this is rite and would like to figure
out how to get my money back.

thanks steve "

Darleen Jones wrote on Jan 4, 2010 7:57 PM:

" I have the same problem. However, after researching have found out that it is a scam. I am contacting the company and the Attorney General's Office. If enough of us complain, they will have to do something. The only thing your cell phone company will tell you is that you have to unsubscribe. Good luck. "

Tonya wrote on Dec 7, 2009 1:08 PM:

" I had this happen to me and I am an adult.
This can be canceled by calling 1-866-758-9162 or writing to support@generaltexting.com...
I also contacted my carrier to credit back the charges. "

kathleen wrote on Nov 26, 2009 8:59 PM:

" I have my cell service through Verison. On 10/26/09 I received 3 of these text messages and answered none of them. I was not aware of them until I received my bill from Verison. I have contacted Verison and was told that I was liable for the charges, they will not take the charges off my bill. One of the text messages gave me a password which I never enter or used. Help! This is so wrong! "

To David wrote on Oct 26, 2009 2:02 PM:

" I know AT&T can block all 3rd party billings and any scams like this and they will or have done for us credit your account. Good Luck. "

Another Cell Employee wrote on Oct 25, 2009 8:58 AM:

" I see my first post somehow disappeared, but I'm happy to see that meanwhile many others have responded about uscshortcode.com and parental controls/ limiting features you can add to you wireless account. The person who enters into the contract for the phone is ultimately responsible for any bills and charges. The second YOU hand that phone to your under-age kid, there's the loophole. Yes, it sux, BUT- you can use blocking features and talk to your kids about responsible useage. Protect yourself and once you educate them, most kids do well with cellphones! "

ATT helpful lol wrote on Oct 25, 2009 4:11 AM:

" For anyone who has ATT, just because they said they will take it off doesn't mean they will. I have had to call numerous times. I am promised it is taken care of and low and behold I am NEVER given credit. I was also charged for a GPS feature on my line that I KNOW i never ordered. I believe this is another way ATT makes money. "

ATT wrote on Oct 23, 2009 11:12 PM:

" There is a feature that is called purchase blocker that can be added at no charge. The only problem with the feature is you may not be able to purchase ringtones or games. These charges are sometimes added to your account because when people log on to different websites and are asked to enter their mobile number to receive games or ringtones they enter the wrong number and YOU are charged. The purchase blocker is a great feature. Your wireless company really can't control that because charges are from 3rd party vendors. "

cont... CCE wrote on Oct 23, 2009 12:45 PM:

" uscshortcode.com will explain what the charges are, name the company, give you a link to the company's web page, provide an email address and phone number... etc. It also explains what a "short code" is. These must be initiated from the user of the cell phone. Grandma might not have done it but maybe a grandkid? I see it daily. Your servie provider should be able to block these services. "

Cellular Company Employee wrote on Oct 23, 2009 12:39 PM:

" To specifically cancel 73288:
To cancel your Subscription Plan, go to GeneralTexting.com/cancel and input your cell phone number and password on the Website, or send an e-mail to support@generaltexting.com with your cell phone number or contact us at 1-866-758-9162. The termination shall become effective immediately but you will still be liable for any new fees that were not cancelled within the time period specified. "

Bunny2 wrote on Oct 22, 2009 8:26 PM:

" David, I had this problem also. I sent the STOP text, which did absolutely nothing. I got the bill today and the charge was not only on MY bill, but my mother's as well. .Call the customer service number...if you have AT+T,it's under "Mobile Purchases & Downloads:Communication Charges. Ask them to remove it and to block all further downloads. The rep was very courteous and helpful, and took off all charges,although she didn't know how it got on my 80 yr.old mother's bill. "

Say What wrote on Oct 22, 2009 3:05 PM:

" The opt out is to remove the phone from the child's possession if they do not use it as instructed. "

David wrote on Oct 22, 2009 1:49 PM:

" To C. C. E. THANK YOU. Maybe I can have the charges deleted and stopped . Is there an opt out program with cell companies to prevent a child from signing up to these charges ? To add or delete options from a contract plan I must go to the cell company with Identification, seems the same would hold true for these SCAM companies . The child cannot add or subtract from the contract plan , why can they add via text with or without permission . "

Cellular Company Employee wrote on Oct 22, 2009 12:43 PM:

" These must be initiated from the cell phone. They are not randomly sent out. The user has to send a text to the "short code" to use the services.
To find out the name of the company for that short code (73288)
It is for a weather alert service.
Go to uscshortcode.com
Premium Messaging Content: Premium Messaging Content programs are sponsored and run by third parties. These programs vary, but the most common allow you to either vote on television programs or sign up for Text alerts and chat services. "

David wrote on Oct 22, 2009 12:24 PM:

" The text number 73288 is what you should tell the child to avoid . DO NOT SEND a text unless you have become a victim . Contact your cell company for help . Tell your child to delete an unknown incoming text and do not respond to it . I hope they will listen . If they did respond I hope they will alert you in time . Tell your child to be aware . "

David wrote on Oct 22, 2009 12:19 PM:

" What I need is help ! Under age persons should not be held in such contracts . These TEXT SCAMS enroll them in any monthly service . The CELL companies are not held liable due to a law loophole?
Customer service directs you to a TOLL_FREE number to try to delete the charges and cancel the contract . Big hassle we are put in as the cell phone bill payers . Is there an opt out department? The SCAM company is going to make a lot of money providing something free to these young people ! "

David wrote on Oct 22, 2009 12:10 PM:

" Teenagers will not read a long text but will respond to an opinion text. The trap is set by the scam artist, responding to these traps will trigger an automatic bill on you cell account. The result is untraceable and sending a stop text message does not guarantee the charges will be deleted. Since the bill is paid by the parents the charge may not be noticed until it is too late to respond. Most teens are aware after the text is answered charges will incur and try to fix it themselves. Charges still apply. Teen approved contract? "

Grandma wrote on Oct 22, 2009 5:50 AM:

" Wait a minute. Is this an advertisement.? I wouldn't send a text message to an unknown. "

WRITE A COMMENT

Use the form below to post a brief comment related to this story. Use the word count tool to assist you in keeping your remarks to 100 words or fewer.

•Comments must be approved by an editor or the publisher before appearing on the Web site but are not verified for accuracy nor have we verified the identity of any person supposedly posting an comment. Please consider this as you consider any statement made. A thoughtful contribution to the online discussion is appreciated.

• Please note your comments must attempt to follow basic rules of grammar and punctuation or they will not be posted. Do not use unfamiliar abbreviations or text-like short cuts, like ur for your. Please keep your tone civil. You can say someone's idea is stupid but you cannot say someone is stupid.

• Comments should deal with matters of public concern. Problems with private individuals or private companies are not likely to get posted.

• Questions or comments about items posted should be e-mailed to dailyiberian@bellsouth.net.

Classifieds

Place Your Ad

View All Ads

Contact Us

Subscribe
Vacation Hold
General Email

Mailing Address:
The Daily Iberian
P.O. Box 9290
New Iberia, LA
70562-9290

Street Address:
926 East Main St.
New Iberia, LA 70560

Phone:
(337) 365-6773

Fax:
(337)-367-9640

Inside Louisiana:
800-365-6773

TEXT MESSAGE SCAM

Comments

WRITE A COMMENT

Classifieds

Jobs

Homes

Autos

Contact Us

Local Weather