Nexgen unauthorised premium charges

aboocock

I have recently been the victim of a scam premium rate text company Nextgen Ltd who have over the course of the last 2 months take £9 (2x £4.50) from my phone credit.

I thought it was a scam at first, but after the second message, I checked it out.. it seems others are also being scammed and there is nothing to stop them. (apparently even blocking the number doesn't work as the charge is taken even if the message is undelivered)

Can we not add an option to disable premium access on our accounts???

Personally I do not now, nor will I ever use any premium information subscription service, and I do not wish to be scammed (and charged) like this in future.

Even more annoyingly, I can't seem to find this company online to complain directly to them.

ellebae

Hi, you have unfortunately subscribed to a premium service

It states you have a free 24 hour period,

So it's important you text the word STOP before the free period ends

Do you have at least 8p to send the Stop text?

(dial *100# to check)

If not, call the customer service number and ask for the subscription to be cancelled

There be an automated unsubscribe option on the line

Read the advice from this guide

https://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Tips-Guides/Premium-text-charges-do-s-And-don-t-s/td-p/18597940

Hope this helps you

4128334

@aboocock

Good Afternoon,

Go to the following link for the action you need:-

https://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Tips-Guides/Premium-text-charges-Do-s-And-Don-t-s/m-p/18597940/hig...

flaxvert

Blocking their number won't work because you can't prove you didn't receive the messages from them.

You need to reply STOP to their message, this usually costs 10p.

The following is a link to the popular 'Subscription' services. It's worth checking to see if your number is on there.

http://mobilepaymentsupport.com

Some other networks have a 2 step verification process, but not giffgaff.

dmgipad001

Easiest way is to buy goodybags only and not have airtime credit, whilst you get them stopped, have a look at https://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Tips-Guides/Premium-text-charges-Do-s-And-Don-t-s/m-p/18597940/highlight/true#M145989 for helpful advice.

muggles708

@aboocock

My Content is a 'Payforit' scam operated by a company called Nexgen and using shortcode 64055. No details of this service are shown on the PSA number checker, but the level 1 provider for this number is mGage Ltd.

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 scammers.

GiffGaff appear to have a policy of not helping members affected by these scams, so you will have to take action yourself to stop the charges and obtain a refund. So far, they have refused to provide a "charge to bill" bar which other networks allow you to use to protect yourself from these scams,

Sending a STOP ALL text to 64055 should stop further charges.

There are no details of this service on the PSA website. In recent months a number of such services have appeared, apparently in breach of the rules. A company called mGage is responsible for the 64055 shortcode. You can then call them on the number given on the PSA website 0207 633 5073 or their head office on 020 7633 5000 to obtain contact details for Nexgen Ltd and to insist on a FULL refund. mGage also give provide an email address of customercare<at>mgage.com.

mGage purport to be reputable company. They have a website and a presence on Twitter which could be used if they fail to respond to your enquiries.

'Payforit' subscriptions are not strictly premium texts, although they are shown as such on your GiffGaff usage statement. 'Payforit' charges are applied directly to your account by a 'third party' which has acquired your phone number. GiffGaff make no check that you have consented to these charges, and refuse to allow you to bar them.

You need to be aware that GiffGaff leak your phone number to third parties when you access the internet using mobile data, and this is probably how your number was acquired in order to make these charges. The system which does this is called 'Payforit'.

Comprehensive and independent information and advice on dealing with these scams is on the payforitsucks website. This website won't blame you for being scammed and provides constructive advice about forcing the scammers 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 scams in the future.

I hope you manage to resolve this matter. These scams are a disgrace to the mobile communications industry and GiffGaff should be doing more to assist affected members and to protect members from these scams.

Paul

pinkprincess116

Giff gaff leak your number? Surly this is against the gdpr rules? And if this is the case o2 would be doing it. Too? I'm a bit concerned now... This way we may all be scammed

muggles708

@pinkprincess116 wrote:

Giff gaff leak your number? Surly this is against the gdpr rules? And if this is the case o2 would be doing it. Too? I'm a bit concerned now... This way we may all be scammed

@pinkprincess116

When you sign up with GiffGaff (and any other network for that matter) your agreement to leak your number to third parties is hidden in the "small print". This appears to be contrary to GDPR, but the networks claim that leaking your number in this way is a business necessity and therefore exempted under GDPR rules.

I do not believe this to be true. It is quite possible to sign up to Payforit services via a WiFi connection where your number is not leaked.

At least O2 allow you to put a "charge to bill" bar on your account to protect yourself from these scams. GiffGaff refuse to provide a similar (or any) protection. All GiffGaff members are vulnerable to Payforit fraud if they use mobile data to access the internet.

Paul

pinkprincess116

I suppose they see it as pay as you go users can limit their account by the amount they top up I see this through as not helpful if like everyone you are on a budget but I. Do think. That they should give the money back if it seen as it was not you

muggles708

@pinkprincess116 wrote:

I suppose they see it as pay as you go users can limit their account by the amount they top up I see this through as not helpful if like everyone you are on a budget but I. Do think. That they should give the money back if it seen as it was not you

@pinkprincess116

GiffGaff make no checks when these companies claim payment from your account, so do not know whether the charges were initiated by you or not. Giffgaff will sometimes make a goodwill refund (without accepting any responsibility), but technically you are supposed to pursue the scamming company for your losses. We have had considerable success using the Small Claims procedure to force refunds. The companies don't want to have to defend some very dubious practices in court!