[Mark in Essex]

I've just got my Three bill today to find out to find out I've been charged 4 lots of £3 for the above!

I've never signed up for anything or even sent any texts (have checked all my text messages and there is no mention of any premium rate text number or even this number.

I've just spoken to to Three and they transferred me to a company called Global Awareness who are going to put through for a refund and also cancel the service.

I was quite annoyed at Three as I had never signed up or authorized this service and I said to them that they should be giving me the refund as it was them that was taking the money for something I had not asked for.

Just wondering how they are getting my mobile number over the Internet to charge me, as I do not type my mobile number into any sites (I had a £5 charge around a year ago which Three refunded that time as well (think the company that time was called PayForIt or something like that))?

I'm always very careful on what I click on so don't know how this happened.

[stud u like]

Have you put your number online? It sounds like it has been harvested.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/articl...-receive-texts

[Mark in Essex]

Just found this on the Money Saving Expert site in case it helps anybody in future.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/pho...-texts#premium

This part is interesting:

"Sending texts to people who have explicitly specified they don't want them is unlawful. Unfortunately, you'll only be entitled to a refund if you DIDN'T subscribe to the service.

Failing to opt out of messages – where you fill in a form which automatically signs you up to a premium text service, unless you specifically tick or untick a box – doesn't count as subscribing to the service. You must actively sign up before they can legitimately send texts that charge.

If you're sure you never signed up for the premium texts, don't delete the message. You may need the details later. You can try to get a refund for any charges incurred through PhonePayPlus which regulates this industry. Follow this quick two-step process. "

[Mark in Essex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by stud u like

Have you put your number online? It sounds like it has been harvested.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/articl...-receive-texts

I did see that article what I was searching although like I say I never put my mobile online (apart from the likes of Amazon, Ebay, Paypal etc).

It's just so annoying and I wish the carriers would let you opt out.

Thanks, Mark.

[Mark in Essex]

Just an update to say the company that Three put me through to (Global Awareness on 0203 5981581) took my details yesterday morning and then phoned back in the afternoon to ask how I would like the money paid back to me (Paypal or cheque) so it looks like everything is sorted.

I normally notice if there is any extra on my bill and I would advise others to check as it looked like this only went on for 5 weeks (4 lots of £3 and then 1 lot of £2.50 that was not on the bill - the couple of weeks after that there was nothing).

I just wish the mobile companies would let you opt out of premium rate texts, but have my suspicions that they are getting a percentage of them as well.

Mark.