I got one of those text messages in like early February.
I ignored it of course and deleted it.
On my most recent phone bill I noticed an increase of about $10.00
Sure enough. By ignoring the text message and deleting it I was signed up of an unwanted $9.99 per month program.
I called ATT.
The ATT rep told me she would cancel the service immediately. She confirmed that by ignoring the text message I had "agreed" to the charges.
I told her that I wanted the $9.99 refunded. She said ATT would ONLY refund the $9.99 if I agreed to put in place a block on ALL future 3rd party charges on the cell phone bill.
I told her I wanted the block on all four of my cell phone lines immediately.
And I got the $9.99 refunded.
Long story short: ATT allows this because they benefit from this extremely anti-customer behavior.
The service I got crammed with was:
02/29/2012 Saynow Alerts 58497 MT SayNow.com
For assistance contact: http:/www.mxtelecom.com
If you go to the www.mxtelecom.com it provides NO assistance what-so-ever.
According to the statement at www.saynow.com
"SayNow has been acquired by Google, Inc. For media inquiries please contact press@google.com."
Never been hit like a cost like this, but I figured why take the chance? I just called AT&T customer service and enabled "purchase blocker" on my line (which is only for family and emergencies anyway.) Thanks for posting that the block is even an option.
I've had the same experiences with both Verizon and Sprint. My conclusions about the telcos turning a blind eye are the same. I suspect these spammers leech onto large percentage of new cell phone customers.
I'm very happy to not currently need a cell phone.
mobibro.com lists the email address support@ihelpmobile.com and the phone number 888-890-6150. Googling either of those reveals many other spammy SMS services, one of which is clubmorty.com. Their contact page says they are owned and operated by Bullroarer: http://www.clubmorty.com/vm/pge_contactus.vm
On my most recent phone bill I noticed an increase of about $10.00
Sure enough. By ignoring the text message and deleting it I was signed up of an unwanted $9.99 per month program.
I called ATT.
The ATT rep told me she would cancel the service immediately. She confirmed that by ignoring the text message I had "agreed" to the charges.
I told her that I wanted the $9.99 refunded. She said ATT would ONLY refund the $9.99 if I agreed to put in place a block on ALL future 3rd party charges on the cell phone bill.
I told her I wanted the block on all four of my cell phone lines immediately.
And I got the $9.99 refunded.
Long story short: ATT allows this because they benefit from this extremely anti-customer behavior.
The service I got crammed with was:
For assistance contact: http:/www.mxtelecom.comIf you go to the www.mxtelecom.com it provides NO assistance what-so-ever.
According to the statement at www.saynow.com "SayNow has been acquired by Google, Inc. For media inquiries please contact press@google.com."