wapstar-play.com have taken 4.50 off my credit and i have never subscribed to them

pebblemoon

i received a text last friday to tell me that wapstar-play.com have taken 4.50 off my credit, i've never even heard of them! and they want me to text stop and charge me for that, does anyone know how this might have happened?

mikeok

pebblemoon there should be a number you can phone after sending stop to the number on text they may help you but as long as you sent stop they can not take any other money

richybhoy36

pebblemoon

Thanks Google.

bigdaveuk

pebblemoon
you may Subscribe to them by mistake to stop this happening just text the word stop to the number

tazzy19

@pebblemoon

You need to send STOP to the 5 digit number mentioned in the text

You need 10p credit to send the STOP message, but in the message there will be a customer services number which you can call from your goodybag minutes.

It is important that you do send the STOP text or that you get them to unsubscribe you.

If you don't do so the messages will still be sent, using up any credit you have, and even if you don't have credit the charges will still be applied when you next add air time credit.

Simply blocking the number will not stop the texts or charges as they are charged at network level, blocking simply stops them appearing on your phone but you will still be charged

You can enter the 5 digit number here http://psauthority.org.uk/about-us/number-checker to find alternative contact methods

See this thread for more advice on how you became subscribed

exmember-2019-4735772

have you recently downloaded any new apps or clicked links on facebook pages?

what is the 5 digit number the text message used?

pebblemoon

hi tazzy19,

thank you so much for the help and advice, i have no idea who this company is!!!! i know it a scam thats for sure, how come i was targeted?

z0d10n

Good Evening @pebblemoon 🙂 . I am sorry to read that you have been the victim of an unsolicited premium rate SMS from wapstar-play.com, which in turn has left you out of pocket to the tune of £ 4.50. To prevent further charges from this "service", you need to text the word STOP to the 5 digit number or call the customer service number stated in their text. To text STOP will cost you 10p via airtime credit top-up https://giffgaff.com/top-up.

For information regarding Premium Rate texts and unexpected charges incurred, you can visit the Phone-paid Services Authority website. With Ofcom's approval the Phone-paid Services Authority are the UK regulator for premium rate texts services. http://psauthority.org.uk/for-consumers/unexpected-phone-charge

You can also make an enquiry online http://psauthority.org.uk/for-consumers/making-an-enquiry so they can look into this charge for you.

Companies like this can only take money from any airtime credit you have, so, in the meantime it may be an idea to purchase a goodybag bundle instead, at least until you get this sorted. https://giffgaff.com/sim-only-plans

You can also convert airtime credit into a goodybag too. Please click the link below for a full step-by-step guide on how to purchase a goodybag from existing airtime credit.

http://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Solve-your-questions/Can-I-buy-a-goodybag-gigabag-with-my-existing-...

newmesee

Has anyone got the number to text to stop this happening please? The text I've got doesn't have a number on it.

Thank you.

kayliejade

newmesee donnazzle
0330 053 5841
I just called, they only asked for my phone number and told me it had been stopped now.

nippy12

They have taken £4.50 off my giffgaff but there isn't enough to take anymore. It is something I have not subscribed to and we have text stop last week but they are saying that they need another £4.50.

I have also had one sent to me about seeing girls bodies etc which I have not subscribed to. How you stop them. Thanks

kathrynbond

Also received WAPSTAR fraud text. For those who have already replied to the STOP message - did it work? IF yes how much did it cost you? Are you able to claim the money back ? if yes, who from?

thanks

muggles708

@kathrynbondwrote:

Also received WAPSTAR fraud text. For those who have already replied to the STOP message - did it work? IF yes how much did it cost you? Are you able to claim the money back ? if yes, who from?

thanks

@kathrynbond

Sending the STOP ALL text WILL stop the charges. I don' know he exac cost of sending the text, but it won't be more than 12p.

You need to try to claim the money back from this company unfortunately.

Wapstar is Payforit "service" which uses shortcode 83463, which is a shared shortcode used by a large number of these "services".

The service is operated by a company called Remote Games Ltd.

Remote Games Ltd

Remote Games

PO Box 5501

Manchester

M61 0PL

This company has previously been fined by the regulator for breaches of their Code of Conduct.

Call them on 0330 053 5841 during working hours to ask for a refund of the money they have taken. Tell them that you never consented to any charges from them. If they refuse a refund, ask them for:

Screenshots of the subscription workflow where you were alleged to have signed up for this service.

A description of what the service you are supposed to have subscribed to provides? Is this a newsletter, access to a web portal, a competion?

Any evidence that after supposedly signing up for the service, you actually used it

The complete web server log of the subscription, including the User Agent strings containing all device details (browser, device type, device IP address) together with dates and times.

Full company details of the company operating the service, country of registration, full name of company, company number and registered company address.

The system which does this is called 'Payforit'.

These companies use vulnerabilities of the 'Payforit' system to obtain consumers numbers and sign them up to bogus subscriptions. Simply closing an innocent looking popup can pass your number to these payforit services.

Comprehensive and independent information and advice on dealing with this is on the payforitsucks website. This website provides constructive advice about forcing the payforit service to refund. Specialist and legal support is also available through the site if you encounter difficulties. Google "payforitsucks" or follow the link to the faq in my signature. The website contains detailed advice on the steps you need to take to stop further charges, obtain a refund and protect yourself from these incidents in the future.

I hope you manage to resolve this matter. These issues are a disgrace to the mobile communications industry.

**post edited by an educator**

donnazzle

Hi did you get the number to text stop as I need it aswell

wuffles

Just had this happen to me. I sent 'STOP' to the number they said and they've stopped but I didn't sign up and they've taken £4.50
Can't find any online customer service for Wapstar to pursue so may have to put in writing/phone them and see if I can work out how to record the call.

muggles708

wuffles Details for Wapstar are as follows:
Wapstar Phone number: 0330 053 5841
Wapstar Email: assist<at>careformobile.com
Service Operated by: Remote Games Ltd
Remote Games
PO Box 5501
Manchester
M61 0PL
United Kingdom
Payments processed by Tap2Bill:
Phone No: 0333 003 0599
Email: customer.service<at>tap2bill.com
Tap2Bill Limited
Tap2Bill Limited
5 St. John's Lane
Farringdon
London
EC1M 4BH
United Kingdom

rennie27

My missus had this happen to her, she never checks her texts and only uses WhatsApp, so didn't see the original subscription text. It was signed up by the little advertising posts underneath YouTube videos the baby was watching she must have clicked it thinking it was a video and that subscribes you, I ended up emailing their customer support and after them trying to bully me into accepting it was our fault they did finally refund the amount.
We got sent a code by text that you have to take to the post office with ID and they give you the refund in cash.

It was O2 that she was with and they put a block on her account so the same thing couldn't happen again but I know that giffgaff wash their hands with it.

richybhoy36

Hi this is a total scam as it seems to be happening to a lot of giffgaff users and needs to be stopped but I don't know how ! Mibi the tech team could look into it and do something about it .

muggles708

richybhoy36 Yes, this is a scam and demontrates giffgaff's failure to police the rules they introduced in May this year. Signing up for a "Payforit" subscription should now require "affirmative action" such as responding to a text or entering a PIN. It is clear that Remote Games Ltd the operator of the Wapstar "service" are circumventing the rules and giffgaff are doing nothing to prevent the resulting fraud.
What makes this even worse is that Remote Games Ltd "have form" when it comes to Payforit fraud, having previously been fined £70,000 for breaches of the rules. giffgaff really need to do something about this!

andy69

Here's an idea to prevent these scams: https://labs.giffgaff.com/idea/16712363/require-2-factor-authentication-to-sign-up-for-payforit-texts?sort=new&filter=all
Please do vote for it and get your giffgaff contacts to vote for it to get giffgaff to implement something to protect their customers from this blight.

maal_on_dellstreak

Surprisingly, it's been two years but giffgaff members still facing to this scam. Me too.