Being Billed For "Premium Text Messaging"

[Moriturus]

I just got my latest Verizon Wireless bill and I found TWO months of charges for $9.99 for "premium text messaging."  (Why the first month didn't show up on the last bill is puzzling.)  The problem is, I haven't signed up for any premium text messaging services, ever.  (My cellphone can't even send text messages.)  When I called a Verizon Wireless billing representative about the charges, he told me that: 1) he couldn't take the charges off my bill because they were from a third party; 2) he couldn't tell me who the third party was; 3) he couldn't make the third party stop charging me; and 4) since I had signed up with this third party I have to figure out how to get rid of them.  He said that no else above him could tell me who this mystery "premium text messaging" was either.  Has anyone else has this problem?

[iPhonelove]

Yes, the only solution to this problem is to have your premium messaging service blocked. This can be done by using My Verizon, emailing, or calling them. This will  make it so you can't receive another premium message, or be charged for one.  

[Moriturus]

OK, but: 1) How do I find out who subscribed me to this premium text messaging service? 2) Why won't Verizon tell me who they are? 3) How do I reverse the charges if I can't find out who the service is?  3) Why am I still being told to pay $19.98 if Verizon can't show that I received any premium text message service?

[iPhonelove]

1. If you and any other person on your plan didn't do it, you really can't. 2. Verizon can't tell you, its part of some agreement. 3. The charges can only be reversed by the third party billing company. You can only do that by finding out who they are. 4. You are still being told to pay this, because its a montly service that the third part is charging you. The best bet would be to shut off premium messaging and then attempt to find out what party billing service the messages are coming from. I think if you type in the number that the premium messages come in as, which you should be able to find on your payment history, on google, it will bring up their website and you should be able to contact them there. 

[DaniLove13]

**bleep**, i wanna know what reps you people are talking to!

They can provide the name and 5-digit shortcode for the premium message service. They can tell you what kinds of things they may be sending you. They can provide customer service email/numbers to contact the third party company.

**bleep** me off when reps don't do their job...

Message Edited by BradC on 05-18-2009 09:05 AM

[iPhonelove]

You have to be joking. They told me they couldn't provide that information.

[DaniLove13]

Not joking at all hun. They can tell customers if they have a premium sms charge who its from, what it sends, how to cancel it and issue credit for it.

Message Edited by BradC on 05-18-2009 09:06 AM

[iPhonelove]

I want my twenty dollars back from like 3 months ago! I hate representatives. I could replace half of them.

[DaniLove13]

I agree, reps can be not so great.

Message Edited by BradC on 05-18-2009 09:06 AM

[iPhonelove]

Im glad that there are some reps that are  helpful. 

[iPhonelove]

Probably drunk. I hope you weren't the lady my mom was screaming at last month. 

[iPhonelove]

You're a lot nicer of a customer service person than i would be. I would have told him where to shove it and hung up after about three minutes. 

She didn't really yell at the lady, she just told her she didn't know what the F she was talking about and slammed on the phone down.  

[iPhonelove]

I have next to no patience. But she was right. This lady hadn't a clue. My mom was trying to get data fees removed and this lady was like you will have to extend you contract. I was like **bleep**? 

[DaniLove13]

**bleep**? That's not cool.

[iPhonelove]

LOL. i said. But it caught it in the word filter. 

{word filter avoidance}

Message Edited by BradC on 05-18-2009 09:07 AM

[DaniLove13]

lmao me too

[Judge-J]

I had a 9.99 charge on my Verizon Bill today.  I called Verizon and was told that I had downloaded an app called IQ POWER ALERTS and they had to have sent me 3 PREMIUM text messages in order to be billed the 9.99.  I told them I had no such app on my phone and I had not received any such text messages or I would have remembered it.  I asked for contact information for this company and was given phone# 888 890 6150.  I called it and was told that the reason for the charge was because I had entered my mobile phone# on their web site, which also was not true.  I have never heard of IQ POWER ALERTS!.  I told them someone "must" have entered my phone# by mistake, but I don't think that happened.  I think this company is carrying out a scam, billing phone companies and receiving money from people who don't notice the charges or don't dispute the charges as there are alot of complaints on the internet about Premium Text Message charges, and its from all of the carriers, not just Verizon.  When I threatened to report them to the Better Business Bureau, they asked for my name and address and said they would refund my 9.99 to me.,,  we'll see.   Meantime, EVERYONE needs to contact their carrier and ask for a Premium Text Message block be put on their phones.  Also, EVERYONE should check their phone bill every month as companies can bill the phone company for ANYTHING and the phone company will collect it, as long as the customer pays it!!!   Pass the word to everyone you know and COMPLAIN to the carrier as they can refuse the company if they get enough complaints about them.

[verizonmoderator1]

<This topic has been thoroughly discussed and will now be locked.>

[naturalgirl]

I was also charged for "premium text messaging" for the last 3 months that I never asked for . It's an out-rage that a 3rd party can charge anything on MY phone and that verizon lets them. My understanding is they(send me mobile.com) send a text to my daughters phone and when you open the text you are accepting their service.We never asked or used this service it's a scam their business tactics are cowardly. immoral and should be illegal.

[iPhonelove]

It should be, but this is corporate America we are talking about. 

[am479479]

Hello, I can tell you that the rep CAN tell you the company that the premium message (psms) was from and how to opt out of the service. Also, if you have a message in your phone from a 5 digit number, text STOP to that message and that should opt out for you. Also, im not for sure but some of the 5 digit codes will show up online if you have an acct or might show up on your bill. If you call back and they tell you how to opt out, you can also text the word HELP to the code and they should give you a phone number or a website that you can go to to get the number to call and ask them how you were opted in to the service. Just for some info, someone can go online to one of the 3rd party services and give them your number and it will charge you for it. Just wanted to let you know a way that you can get them since your phone cannot text. When you opt out, you NEED to put a PSMS block on youur acct and it will block any of the psms charges in the future. Most of the time, the rep will also credit you for 1 of the psms charges, but it is up to their discression. If you get this problem with a rep again, insist to talk to a supervisor!