I receive a random txt message, get charged £16!

[Dr Murdoch]

WTF!

Just seen my Vodafone bill, and at the bottom are two purchases for £8.

Going back through my text messages I received a spam message saying that I've paid £16 for a chance to enter a competition.

Just called Vodafone who wouldn't help, kindly suggested that I contact the 3rd party (i.e the spammer) and ask for a refund, hmmm I wonder how successful I will be there

Has this happened to anyone else? Has anyone managed to get their money back?

[C0ffin D0dger]

I wouldn't take Vodafone's first answer there. If the chargeable text message truly is unsolicited the it sounds like your mobile number is being used fraudulently, ask them to deal with it, ask for their fraud department. You may well need to involve the police too. Also ask them to block the number so you don't get any more.

[timbo999]

Go here and make a complaint - https://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/

I did and received a refund cheque for unsolicited text messages from the company concerned - they contacted me very shortly after I complained.

You can also find out contact details of the offending company at that website (you need the number that texted you).

HTH

[audi321]

Sounds like you've been on some dodgy website on your phone! I don't know how they do it.

[Dr Murdoch]

audi321 said:

Sounds like you've been on some dodgy website on your phone! I don't know how they do it.

Haven't we all

Should add that one doesn't visit 'dodgy sites on ones phone'

Thanks for the helpful responses, ive made contact with the suggested organization. I will update on the progress (assuming there is some)

[toohangry]

C0ffin D0dger said:

involve the police too.

Use 999.

[AW10]

I put a complaint in to phonepayplus in September 2013 about some text messages I was charged for. It took until Feb of this year but all charges plus VAT were refunded. The "provider" was fined £70K and forced to make loads of refunds. A small but satisfying victory.