Jam Jar Club / Mobile SCAM!

[#1]

Hello,

While surfing on the internet, I received a text message stating that I subscribed to Jam Jar Club (I have no idea what it is) then I was immediately charged £4.50 for this so called "service". I obviously never agreed nor authaurized this charge.

I am also very surprised that Gifgaf let this so called company simply take the money from my account without protecting my account.

Not only I would like to get the money back as a principle but I would like to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Let me know your thoughts and how these scams can be stopped.

THANKS.

[#2 · Accepted solution]

@fmequer
Good Morning,
The following link will explain Payforit Premium Rate Text's and the action to take:-
https://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Tips-Guides/Premium-text-charges-Do-s-And-Don-t-s/m-p/18597940/hig...

[#3]

@fmequer please follow the information given in this link premium texts guide https://community.giffgaff.com/t5/Tips-Guides/Premium-text-charges-Do-s-And-Don-t-s/m-p/18597940/hig...

[#4]

Hello
This happens on all networks. These scammers opt you in automatically.. you must reply STOP to the message to opt out

[#5]

Jam Jar Club is a 'Payforit' scam operated by a company called Jam Jar Mobile and using shortcode 83463. This "service" has generated few complaints in the past, but there has been a surge of complaints in the past two weeks.

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.

Sending a STOP ALL text to 83463 should stop further charges. You can then call them on 0330 058 2553 to insist on a FULL refund.

'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 

[#6]

@fmequer Sadly, payforit services cannot be blocked on giffgaff.

You can mitigate future subscription by only using WiFi or a vpn browser or an incognito one.

You could contact giffgaff's data controller and insist the £4.50 weekly claim is a legal claim and get them to acknowledge it is.

T&C

3.7. You must tell us immediately by emailing datacontroller@giffgaff.co.uk, if anyone makes or threatens to make any claim or issue legal proceedings against you relating to your use of the Service or the Content and you will, at our request, immediately stop the act or acts complained of. If we ask you to, you must confirm the details of the claim(s) in writing.