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Mother's credit being stolen on mobile.

  • 11-09-2007 7:33pm
    #1
    SeanW
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,866 ✭✭✭


    Hi everyone.

    My mother keeps a small amout of credit on her mobile at all times, and she's unexpectedly lost it all when she recieved bill-messages from an organisation calling itself "GameZine." They claim that she ordered a game, something Bridezilla or something but she didn't and would have no interest in it.

    They've sent 2 messages, 2 of 3, and they didn't send the last one because she ran out of credit.

    These messages cost €1.50 each.

    I cannot give any advice because I don't use mobile phones and don't know much about them. She went to an O2 shop (O2 is her network) and they said it's legal!

    Can anyone tell me if it's possible to stop these messages, how to recover the stolen funds if possible, or what the legal position is on this?


Comments

  • #2
    Random
    Closed Accounts Posts: 19,080 ✭✭✭✭Random


    If she goes into the operator shop (in this case O2) or calls the customer care they should be able to help her unsub so she doesn't receive any more. If she's done this already ring up or call in and specifically ask that they help you unsub.

    If she wants her money back they should be able to tell her the details of the company and she can take the money issue up with them.


  • #3
    HiredGun
    Closed Accounts Posts: 56 ✭✭HiredGun


    Unfortunately there are a small number of outfits that run these sort of scams. They're often very clever and by using very vague language they trick people into subscribing to services they don't want.

    The mobile operators are legally obliged to give these access to service providers which have been been approved by Regtel, the Regulator for Premium Rate Services. Most of these providers are fine but some are leaches.

    Contact Regtel (www.regtel.ie) and notify them of the messages your mother got. Regtel can shut the service down - O2 can't.

    You can stop the messages from continuing to come in by replying STOP. O2 customer care probably will be able to help you with that.


  • #4
    GUIGuy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 246 ✭✭GUIGuy


    Yes here's a blantant example of a site luring people:

    http://www.irishgadgetoffers.com/nokia_n95/

    They would have you believe that you're playing a game. No where on the site does it say that by pressing the "Free Entry" that you are giving your authorisation to be charged. It says that you will get 4 questions per week, but hints that you are charged 2 Euro per 'entry'. They say this to make you think that you'll only be charged if you reply. Obviously in the small print it says that you will be charged for receiving messages, but no where is explicit consent given. This underhand use of words clearly intended to dupe the uninitiated.

    Nor is verification needed. Anyone could randomly enter the numbers of people they don't like into this.


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