I received a $9.99 charge for premium messaging. According to Verizon Wireless, my phone somehow signed up to receive MLB scores on a monthly basis (my phone is not actually receiving the service, and of course no one in my house signed up for it - we don't even follow baseball). They even had the date I supposedly signed up for the service (Jan. 20). I also contacted the service provider, and they said the only way to sign up for the service is to enter the cell phone number on their website, and when a pin number gets texted to my phone, I enter the pin on their website. They said someone would have to have physical access to my phone in order to sign up for this service, and that all of their systems are automated. I went back through all of my messages - I never received any kind of pin number in December or January, and of course, I don't actually get the MLB service either. So it begs the question - how does my phone number get billed for a service I didn't sign up for and don't receive? I asked Verizon if my phone could have been hacked, and of course they said no. Right.
The charges were removed, and my phone number has been blocked from receiving all premium messages, but unless the service provider's automated system screwed up and started billing my number without sending me the service (or sent the service to another phone), I gotta believe my phone was hacked. Anyone else have this happen?
Yes, my wife's bill showed $9.99 for Premium Messaging. Verizon customer service told me basically what you have been told. The billing was from a service called Jamster, which may or may not be legitimate (they are widely accused online of billing for ringtones, wallpapers, etc., that are supposedly free). My wife never signed up for them, wouldn't have known how to sign up for them or wanted to learn, never sent them the text message supposedly necessary to subscribe. I don't know about the phone being hacked, but I strongly suspect that somebody did something like "signing up" a random selection of computer-generated phone numbers, in the expectation that some of them would be real cell phone numbers and would generate the billing. Something sleazy is going on, at any rate. This can't happen by itself.
Hello happy community members,
How people are signed up for premium text messaging without their knowledge has always been a mystery to solve. Such messages come in some many forms that it's difficult to pinpoint it's origins. I can assure you that I can help you get to the bottom of this and resolve this once and for all. The first thing I recommend is that we go through the opt-out process. On your bill, there should be a five or six digit number next to the premium text message and it's charge. This is the number that we need to unsubscribe to this service. Simply send a text message to the five or six digit number with one of the five words below:
Once you have sent a text message with one of the words/phrases above then you will receive a cancellation text reply advising that you have successfully opt-out. Also, in this text message will be some contact information to the company that billed you for the service. If you would like to pursue a refund for any charges that you may incur then this information will be very useful. Oftentimes, there will be an e-mail address or an 800 number to call. If you are curious as to how the service was signed up for then they are able to verify the date, time, and device that the premium service was subscribed on.
As a customer, you have two options on how to prevent this from happening in the future. If you do not use text messaging the you can block the text messaging service altogether from your mobile number. If are using text messaging on your device then we offer a premium text messaging block. Assuming that you are not using another form of premium messaging, then this may be the best option for you. If you would like to know more about how these options work, please reply to this posting with your concerns.
Thank you...
ArnettH_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @vzwsupport
When I first signed up to have Facebook mobile enabled, so I could send status updates and receive Facebook communications via text message, I got hit with two $9.99 premium messaging charges, and started receiving a joke-a-day text that I didn't need or want. Turns out that the confirmation code I had to send to enable the FB texting somehow signed me up for these other services (it all happened at the same time, on the same day) - so although it appeared I opted in, and I did send a confirmation text, it was all done with me unaware of the premium services. Sneaky - but I caught it and was able to cancel and get a refund for the charges.
And I still can text updates and receive from FB - that's just simple domestic texting and is part of my unlimited texting plan. It's the added premium services that piggy backed on that sign up that was sneaky and carried the charges.
how do i sign up for the premium text messaging block
You can call Verizon or do it yourself through their website. I did find it a little difficult to navigate to the particular spot on my own but with help it isn't all that complicated. I'm sure a customer service agent could talk you through it. Myself personally , with the scams being done through premium text messaging, I would prefer it starts off blocked and if you choose to get it you be required to manually turn it on.
Hello ckd,
I can assist you with blocking premium sms. You can send me a DM with your name and mobile number, or call 611 from your Verizon Wireless device, or call 800-922-0204 from any device and a representative will help you with adding the block. Thank you.
TominqueBo
VZW Support
Follow us on Twitter at @VZWSupport
ArnettH - you said the following:
"The first thing I recommend is that we go through the opt-out process. On your bill, there should be a five or six digit number next to the premium text message and it's charge. This is the number that we need to unsubscribe to this service. Simply send a text message to the five or six digit number with one of the five words below:
The problem is, when I look at my husband's charges (it is his phone this has happened to), all of the text messages are free, there are no charges by any of them and I don't see any from any 5 digit numbers although he claims to get spam texts all the time. The charge shows up in the DATA section of the bill, which is ridiculous since my husband's phone doesn't even have data. It just shows a 9.99 charge for data - no other information.
Had this problem with one of kids phone. The 9.99 is a monthly fee charged by some company to send these text. It is not a per text charge. I recently read( dont know for sure if its true but was from a reputable source) that if you call Verizon and politely demand they remove charges they always will. Notice I said politely. Give them a chance. You can be firm and polite at the same time. Also can have them block all future Premium messaging if thats an option for you.
A lot of them can be signed up for on websites, and unless you decline on your phone it enrolls you
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