SCAM

I was watching TV and a commercial popped up- FREE jamster wallpaper. I saw a cute one and typed in the information they told me on the screen via text. They claimed it to be free, so I didn't think it would be a big deal. When I received the cell phone wallpaper, it tried to charge me 3.99 for it, so I canceled. Ever since, no matter how many times I try to cancel, they still update me with "hot gossip". I've changed my call phone provider AND number twice since then.

Angela
[ June 24, 2009 ]

i h8 jamster

I downloaded a game from jamster, which normally cost $4.50 and they don't send the texts charging you. i saw and liked the look of and downloaded spore origins. I had just topped up mu phone so i had $28.66 and they sent me 10 texts and i now have $8.something. jamster, .|.. you

Anonymous
[ June 17, 2009 ]

Jamster SCAM!!!

Apparently you're not the only one with the problem, you see i did the same thing happened to me yesterday.

Pau
[ June 14, 2009 ]

Fraudulent Charging MONEY off my prepaid phone every month,EATING MINUTES~

1-800-235-7105 keeps texting my phone taking money off my phone~! I finally got an email addy to contact them at : zus@sms-helpdesk.com when I found our that was why my prepaid phone kept running out of minutes/money every month since January & finally caught them~ I told them I never authorized any such calls or charges so they readily offered to send me $20 to repay this month's charges,{WONDER IF I WILL EVEN GET THAT MUCH BACK?} but wouldnt repay from January through May~! She said they were charging me $20 a month but now looking at their dang text VERIFIES they RIPPED ME OFF AT LEAST $9.99 per month since January 2009~ Who can make these theives accountable to repay everything they have ripped me and others off to????????

tankerJPH
[ June 12, 2009 ]

wap.zingtines.tv sms scam

for the past 3-4 wks I have been receiving sms from zingtines offering me 'exclusive' games which cost $6,one day each week il get 3-4 of these sms.my only response was to send 'stop all' yet they still continued,this was a little irritating but not a major problem.....until I actually realised yesterday that I have been charged about $1.50 FOR EACH of these sms,I immediately tried(via mobile internet)to connect to their webpage to find domain name not listed!!!came straight on web and found this page +I now think this company have gotten my #from facebook app.am now going to phone vodafone and ask if they can block these thieves from sending me any more sms.I am pretty careful about giving my phone # out for anything and I know for a fact if I did I wud have made sure to check the box that declines it being passed onto other companys.so my advice is NEVER give your phone number.I am also going to complain about this to bbb. very angry, northumberland

nicki m
[ May 28, 2009 ]

Jamster Scam

I went on Jamster and there was a free ringtones I wanted lady gaga so I send my mobile then reading at the bottom they charged 4.50 for ppl who registered I thought I wasent but they automaticlly digned me up I had 5.00 on yesterday no I have 1.35 I want my money back! U F****N STUPID JAMSTER!!!!!! ;@

Abbie
[ May 4, 2009 ]

Sprint really is a good company with this...

Ok, the first time it showed up on the bill, it was PlayPhone Inc: Ringers - Playphone-rgr -04/17 $14.99... It happened to be on my wife's line, so I asked her about it. She had no idea, and did not purchase any ringers or apps. Hmmmm... I just changed phones and agreement packages, so I thought she might have clicked something. Then it showed up again. I did some research and found out about the IQ test with Facebook. Oddly enough, this is about the same time my wife started her account with Facebook. I asked her, and sure enough, she took the IQ test. I went through Sprint's online chat and asked them about the charge. They immediately put a third party block on my account and refunded me for the month (I did not even get to the point of asking for the refund, they just did it). No questions asked, no problems. This is one reason I will stay with Sprint ( I have been with them for 8 years now). They were great in dealing with this scam and refunded my account within 10 minutes of starting the chat. Nice to see that there are still companies out there that are loyal to their consumers. Thanks again Sprint!!!

Kipper
[ May 4, 2009 ]

Kipper,

Yes, that is an example of good customer service (I think Sprint has been praised for that before); and remarkebly none of the others seem to come close. But at the same time, it highlights how accustomed we are to abuse from our wireless service providers that when we call them on the fraud that they've participated in perpetrating on us, and they correct it, we praise them! Perhaps we should call this "battered customer syndrome."

Jamster Scam Editor

Bull****

I opened my Cincinnati Bell bill and had a 29.99 charge to my phonebill I have never even heard of Jamster until now.

Michael Murphree
[ April 29, 2009 ]

Jamster SCAM

I did the old facebook IQ test and suddenly I received a text message on my phone. I thought nothing of it until I noticed I was charged $9.99 each month, which caused me to be underpaid on my AT&T account, which cause an extra charge of $10 for late fee. Thanks Jamster! PS: FUCK YOU JAMSTER.

Daniel Coon
[ April 27, 2009 ]

Playphone Scam

Damn! I just discovered a $14.99 a month subscription fee from these weasels at OpenMarket Playphone Jamsters whatever they want to call themselves. Luckily, AT&T removed all charges and are putting a block for such charges on my account. That is more than fine with me and it seems like everyone should have these protections by default. I think someone has left a trap door open for companies that want to generate business without the client's consent. A fancy way of describing "theft," pure and simple. And if you google the company involved, they are fairly big. Unscrupoulous, but probably legal. Hopefully, not for long.

Penny Lost
[ April 25, 2009 ]

Jamster Ripping Off Children

My 9 year old didn't realise that FREE RINGTONES meant she was getting charged $15 per week. It should be illegal to offer children free ringtones and then charge them $15 week.

LIV
[ April 22, 2009 ]

Jamster Scam

I bought the $9.99 thing with jamster in which I was supposed to get 6 ringtones 10 graphics and 4 games/applications on my cell phone after I paid I found out the gaes/applications arent available for verizon ok I was fine with that bc thats still a good price on the ringtones alone but then when I recievedthe ringtoneson my phone I cannt use them it says they are copyright protected it says the same thing about the graphics I got they cannt be forwared which is kool but I cannt use them on my phone because it says they are copyrighted so only way I can hear the tones is to open the message no way to set it or save it on my phone is the same with the graphics I can open the message and view it I cannt save it to the phone set it as a background or anything.

Joseph Moyer
[ April 20, 2009 ]

Jamster

ok so me and my cuz were on the computer and he told me I could get free ringtones from jamster.......WRONG! its charging me freaken 9.99 a month for crap I dont even use. my parents are p***ed off

Maddie
[ April 16, 2009 ]

To Amberr

Amberr,

Have your mom (not you) call Jamster and say it was a 12 year old who ordered on the handset without permission. Then they will ask how much you were billed. Ask them to tell you, because it's right in front of them. Or you can add up all the past bills you have and have your mom tell them that. They will take down your mom's information and send her a check.

Anonymous
[ April 15, 2009 ]

Mobile Messenger Assistance

We at Mobile Messenger would like to assist you with your concern or complaint. If you need assistance in regards to being unsubscribed or other related issues, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please call 1-800-416-6129 Monday to Friday 0600 — 1800 US Pacific Time or email escalationsus@sms-helpdesk.com

Mobile Messenger
[ April 13, 2009 ]

Verizon 1.99 MB rip off

was charged 1.99 MB for just "browsing" the applications dnloads to see if I wanted to purchase any. It seems if you just connect to their application, game or music store to look they charge you, I was looking at my w755 and how easy it would be to accidentally log on even if you didn't want to and the second you connect you are charged 1.99 even for 1 second of connection. if you did this a couple times a day wow what a bill. Called them and they said they could block connection but I couldn't send txt or pics even though I am paying 10.00 a month for unlimited txting. By the way if you have Verizon wireless if you are the account owner you can log onto your account and block premium txt services from being called from or sent to your you phone.Its in add and remove features and its free, you have to do it for every phone on your account if that what you want to do. Verizon doesn't advertise it but its there. You can just about block everything but that 1.99 connection... what a rip off.

Mikeyboy
[ April 13, 2009 ]

why me?

my brother give me permission to open some credit cards under is name.He is now tryin to act like he did'nt open this accounts cuz now he does'nt what to pay,but he but me as a authorize user.Im I resopnsible to pay it back. need some help....... thanx

inky
[ April 12, 2009 ]

Jamster

My son has a mobile phone, and we dont know how Jamster got on there, but anyhow, I went to the website, if you scroll down to the bottom, you will c some links, and one of these links say Guardian, which I clicked on, and I was able to unsubscribe from there

Cin
[ April 9, 2009 ]

FaceBook I Q Test scam

Received a few notices that my friends were smarter than me and was challenged to an IQ test to see if I was smarter than my friends. Took the test and my cell phone number was requested and pin number and then I would receive a test result...Little did I know that I would also receive a charge from some company on my Virgin cell phone account. Called Virgin to ask about this charge and was told to text message the number 91075 and text Stop subscription. I received a replay that my subscription was cancelled and if I had any question or concerns I could call 1-800-235-7105. I googled the 1-800 number and from it was from Jamster and quickly learned that I was not the only fool to get hooked for a charge from them. I am still working to get this charge taken off of my cell phone account. Thanks for letting me vent...

PaPa Craig
[ April 7, 2009 ]

Jamster :X

ok..I'm 12 years old and I don't know why but I keep getting texts from Jamster. Every time they send me a text with all their sh*t on it saying to download stuff it charges me about $7.00. My mother who usually tops me up $30.00 each week now is getting really pi**ed off and keeps blaming me for it. I tried to tell her what's happening but it always ends in big arguments and violence. Jamster sucks [expletive omitted] and someone should do something about it ! :o .. x :[

Amberr
[ April 6, 2009 }

Blinkogold

My cell phone was charged with the same 9.99 for the blinkogold ringtones downloads. I called up cingular and told them that I never use text msg, even the bill does not reflect any outgoing message just 1 incoming from the ringtone company. Cingular had a service they enabled on my phone to disable any purchasing from cellphone. In future if I want to purchase something, I will need to use a pin code. Issue resolved.

Scorpios
[ March 25, 2009 ]

Facebook's Quizzes

I was relocated back to America and low and behold, we have this new social site called Facebook. I create an account and see hundreds of applications. One day, I saw a pop-up asking if I was smarter than my friends. The quiz was stupid and I should have caught it. Then it asked to enter the text code I received through a phone number I ente4red into the site. Ever since then, I am getting rappers news updates. I didn't think much of it afterwards. Three months later, I decide to look at my cell phone bill and I see a charge for $10 for data service. I called and asked about this charge, and Verizon told me that I signed up and I could not do anything about it. I immediately looked up the business online and sure enough, thousands have been scammed. Most have been credited back but this guy was telling me I had to pay. I told him, I am not paying, and if you think you cannot put that credit into the system, you will have a lawsuit for profiling. I am on the unlimited $99 plan. I also told him I would love to cancel. He told me that I can cancel and that I would have to pay the early termination fees. I told him, fine, if it means that my business is worth $200 to you, I would love to pay and switch to AT&T. Suddenly, he says, sorry we can credit it back. And I am fine afterwards. I got suspicious and called back again to see if any other months have been paid. Sure enough, I was charged in other months as well for $9.99. Mad as hell, I will call them again to credit me back. I am in no way supporting lowlife scammers and I wish we can hire some people to teach them some righteousness. I rather support hungry children or even street bums that wipe windows. Hey, at least they try to work for money.

One Upset Guy
[ March 5, 2009 ]

Playphone Scam

I just got caught on this one too. I put in my cell phone # on Playphone site thinking I would get the IQ score and I did NOT agree to the terms and conditions box and just closed the web page and I still got a text message from them with a PIN. I have emailed a cancellation and explained the situation and said I did not authorize anything so don't bill me. We'll see if they are honest or not and I will repost. I just reported them to McAfee and I hope they will take care of it. They have a few complaints there too and the site is officially not very well rated by McAfee

Moodieslog
[ February 26, 2009 ]

2009 and They're Still At It

I browsed the Jamster site, merely considering whether I wanted to download a ringtone and seeing what it was about. I decided it wasn't worth a purchase and navigated off their website. Lo and behold, the next month I'm charged nearly $40.00 for services I never ordered! I called AT&T and had a 'block' placed on my account and the charges backed off by them (no complaints from them, there). But 2nd month ... there are the same charges again! Live-chatted with Jamster and they'd only promise to refund $9.99, but no service charges. I refuse to pay any of it. Can anyone say, "Class Action Lawsuit?" Sign me up.

KBaldwin
[ February 22, 2009 ]

Scammed in NY

My 13 yr old son saw an advertisement on tv for free ring tones, It wasn't until I received my phone bill from Sprint with $15.98 in charges for Jamster Ringtones which by the way we never received. I just want to make sure these are not reoccurring charges. I would like any input anyone may have. Any further outgoing texts to these premium companies as they are called have been blocked.

Not Happy In NY
[ February 17, 2009 ]

m-Qube and PlayPhone

OK, so I open my cell phone bill this morning and there is a $14.99 charge from OpenMarket for PlayPhone, Inc. and a $9.99 charge from m-Qube, Inc. for Mobile Messaging. I never asked for any of this. The only thing I can think of is I recently joined Facebook, and soon after started receiving 'dating advice' text messages. (I am not a young single!) After 2 or 3 I texted back UNSUBSCRIBE to which a reply came to confirm and have received no more. There is an 800 number here on the bill that I intend on calling this morning!

Cristy
[ February 13, 2009 ]

Jamster Charge—Bell Canada Rip Off

I got a new phone and this first bill I got a jamster charge of $5.99 on it. I sent an email to Bell asking them to remove that because I didn't authorize that charge. They told me that I registered for it. I sent another email asking them to show me proof that I registered for it. They still haven't replied. I filed a complain with the BBB and tried to file a complaint with the CRTC but they won't let me file until the BBB complaint is handled. I've set aside $5000 to fight these bastards in court if I have to. I am not paying a single cent to scammers.

Anonymous
[ February 4, 2009 ]

Zingtones

I was told I had joined wap.zingtones.tv without even visiting the site. When I tried to STOP the account they barred my texts messages from sending and said I had to enter a code online in order for them to be released when I get on to the site all I get is mumbo jumbo. I still cant send any texts.

Jerry
[ January 26, 2009 ]

Ringophone Is Another Scam Site

I have a cell, as most of the population does these days . And I was perusing different sites and came to this one Ringophone and what got my attention was pay once and that's it. 14.99 for 6 months and 19.99 for 12. They ran with my money, which was all they were after anyway. I have contacted them numerous times and I keep getting someone will contact you in 2 to 5 days, and 2 to 5 has since passed. I wish I had an address or phone number, so I could report this site to the Better Business Bureau. Which should have set off bells and whistles. I just want to make others aware.

Sharon Cockrell
[ January 24, 2009 ]

MMtext TXTalert charges

I went online tonight to check my Verizon Wireless bill & discovered it was about $20 higher than normal. I saw that I had 2 premium text messages on my bill, costing me an extra $19.98. I sat on hold for about 20 minutes waiting to get a rep, & during the meantime I racked my brain trying to figure out what these charges could be for. All I could think of was that my 8-year old daughter had been online a few times about a month ago, and had clicked on some IQ quiz & something for a free ringtone. She asked me my cell phone # & I refused to give it to her, saying she is never to enter my cell # online for anything. Well, she ended up memorizing it later & apparently must have entered it somewhere. I started getting texts of jokes that weren't even funny, one from #44999 & from #86455. I called Verizon tonight & they said they would cancel these "subscriptions" and put a lock on my acct so they couldn't charge me again. I asked if I should call Better Business Bureau & they said that basically, good luck getting paid back for this, as it will probably be pretty hard. All the rep could tell me was: mmtext txt alert, 44999 86455. Like that is going to help me much.

Jenni
[ January 21, 2009 ]

From YouTube to Jamster subscription!

I was looking for information to see if I could use an iPhone 3G with T-mobile. There was a YouTube video with a link posted next to it for obtaining directions on how to set up the iPhone 3G to use T-mobile. I clicked on the link and was taken to a page where I could select instructions for using T-mobile with the iPhone. I am then taken to a site where I enter my phone number and get a pin sent to my phone. This will supposedly let me get the info. Instead, I end up at a site called Jamster with an account and no instructions! I sent the required text "stop" to get out of this site and was asked if I was sure, since I already purchased a plan!! I immediately contacted one of Jamster's representatives on an on-line chat and had the subscription cancelled. I am now waiting (within 20 days) for a check in the mail for the amount of $9.99. Meanwhile, my phone bill will have a charge against it. These people are VERY SNEAKY!! I can just imagine how they screw over younger kids!

Pete
[ November 19, 2008 ]

I Hate Jamster

Whenever I wake up in the morning I have a phone alarm that wakes me up. For some reason on my phone there is only one song available for the alarm, despite the fact that I have a few other songs. I realized it was because this song was a "polyphonic" song. I hated this song, its like a melody of "I Wanna Love You" and its absolutely rubbish, so I searched 'Free Polyphonic ringtones' on the internet, and found jamster. They happened to have a few songs I like - I chose Green Day , When I Come Around, in melody/polyphonic obviously. And they said it was free. SO WHY THE HELL DID #5 GET TAKEN OFF MY CREDIT?! and then they kept texting me until I made them stop, then kept sending me the link for my song. But you had to use your phone internet to download it, and mine doesn't work. I HATE JAMSTER.

Julia
[ November 18, 2008 ]

No Perks Phone Users

My Sept. ATT bill had a charge on it for Jamster XXL on my college daughter's phone number. I just thought she probably downloaded a "free" ringtone. I paid and made a note to charge her for it. Then when I asked her about at the next billing cycle, when I saw the 9.99 charge again, she reminded me that she still uses the factory-set ringtone on her phone just like mine. She's right, she doesn't have a new ringtone, and she doesn't have any games downloaded either. We have no idea how or why her phone was charged, although after reading your stories, I realize she probably took some "free" IQ test on Facebook. I asked ATT to refund, so they are going to try to dispute the charges, waiting through 2 billing cycles. They said I can write a letter of complaint to ATT but as long as we actually put in our phone number on any form, we are responsible for the charges! Doesn't matter if you don't know there are charges. What a rip-off. I'm disappointed in ATT for allowing this company to do business with them.

College Mom
[ November 13, 2008 ]

SCAMSTER

I just got my cell bill. $8 for absolutely nothing! I did not even download one thing! I called my wireless service and they told me how to cancel immediately. Then I contacted scamster and they are sending a check saying they understand how I feel...hmmmm really? My wireless service stated they have received a lot of calls with the same issue so WHY oh WHY are they allowed to do it? I stated I would post so others don't make the same mistake I did. Quite frankly, I don't even remember doing anything which is the scary part. Tell your kids NOT to subscribe to ANYTHING. Scamster does not even post their costs up front.

shadow
[ November 11, 2008 ]

I lost $25 on Virgin Mobile

I too downloaded the 'free' ring tone even though I could have afforded to buy one from a reputable company. Then the text messages started flooding in. I put the number on 'BLOCK' but that did not work. The messages kept coming. I rang a number in the Philippines to try and stop it, but the person who answered just babbled on about how I should download the wallpaper and ringtones I had already paid for. I said "I DON'T WANT THEM, I JUST WANT THIS TO STOP". I have never, and will never, download these things I have 'paid' for unwillingly. I have emailed Virgin Mobile and hope they will refund me since it is clear they are participating in this scam. I am shocked and devastated to have lost $25 which is the amount of prepaid I put on my phone to last me 2 weeks.

Louise
[ November 8, 2008 ]

Rip Off By Jamster

I saw a commercial on TV regarding ringtones for .99 cents. I ordered ONE ringtone. I received a text message saying that if I wanted to subscribe for $9.99 I could get some additional tones and other benefits. I did not respond because I only wanted the ONE ringtone. Next thing you know I receive a message saying that they billed me for $9.99. I lost it! This is a scam!!!! and something needs to be done about it. I told Jamster they better send me my money back or I would do everything in my power to sue. They lied and said I pressed "OK" for them to bill me. They lied. I am looking for a refund check and will be calling the Better Business Bureau.

Debbie
[ November 6, 2008 ]

Debbie,

You're right, they lied! The stories on this web site comprise a large body of evidence that they are committing fraud. These are personal stories, eyewitness accounts of their defrauding the public, and they do this with the complicity of the wireless service providers who share in the profits and collect the money for them.

Jamster Scam Editor

Send Text for Free Ringtones

My son saw a commercial on TV that said text "75555" for free Ringtones. He was curious and thought "it's free, why not try it out" and thought it would just send him a random ringtone. He got nothing, and thought nothing more of it. Until... On our October Sprint bill a charge for $9.99 "Jamster: Ringers - 75555 Jamster Ringtn - 10/09" When I asked my son what this was, he relayed the story I opened with. So I started Googling Jamster. I found the link to this Jamster Scam page and started reading similar stories from others. While reading it became apparent that this was not going to be a "one-time charge" but a subscription (??!!). I have been thoroughly impressed with Sprint and how they've handle my concerns (been with them for more than 5 years now). Though it seems that others had no luck with their cell phone providers, I decided to call Sprint to see what could be done. It was a 7 minute phone call which ended with "I have shut off the Jamster subscription and will apply a credit adjustment for the $9.99, though it may take a couple of billing cycles for the credit to appear on your account." THOROUGHLY IMPRESSED YET AGAIN WITH SPRINT - PROBLEM SOLVED.

Kristi
[ November 4, 2008 ]

Jamster scammed me

My brother just topped my phone up for me last night. Today during school lunchtime I got texted like 5 times saying ''FREE RINGTONES'' , ''FREE GAMES'', I deleted them then the next message, said, sorry you do not have sufficient credit to use this service, then I texted tmobile (ba) then it said my credit was #0.50, but my brother put in #5.00. I never registered to Jamster, or even actually heard about it, from the text message I saw the company was called Jamster, which I like to call scamster. is there any way to get money back?

F'in @ngry k1d
[ October 24, 2008 ]

Hey "Angry Kid"

Jamster is evil and they deliberately rip people off. They couldn't do it without the cooperation of T-Mobile. T-Mobile is evil too. They know all about the scam. All of the stories people send in to this web site are proof of what is going on, but the phone companies don't stop it. They work together with Jamster to steal your money and they split the profit.

My advice is to call T-Mobile and demand your money back from them. For one thing, why should you deal with Jamster when you never did business with them in the first place? For another thing, T-Mobile has a lot more to lose, both in your future business (if you should choose to switch to another wireless service provider) and in their reputation when the word gets around about how unethical they are (or if you should submit a complaint to bbb.org, they would hate that).

Jamster Scam Editor

Facebook Quiz turns into a Jamster Scam

I received an IQ quiz from my friend on Facebook. Thinking it was just a friendly quiz from a friend - I took it. It asked like 10 silly questions and then it said to get you score, type in your phone number. Immediately, I receive a text on my phone but it was from jamster and it gave me a pin number. the website said in order to get my IQ score, I have to put in the code from my phone. the website immediately sent me to jamster.com and that's when I realized they scammed me! my text on the phone said "reply ok or type in the pin below to get your product! Enjoy! XXL Plan ($9.99/mo) jamster.com"...by the time you enter your phone number and type in your pin into the computer to "claim your IQ score" - you have already activated a Jamster account. I am so angry. I went to the customer service live chat on jamster.com and she was no help. She kept on telling me that I activated the account and that I will be charged $9.99 via my wireless service provider. So I went from clicking on a friend's invitation to do an "IQ test" to subscribing to a Jamster Ringtone subscription. I just spoke to my friend and she said she has never sent me an "IQ test". So Jamster is now hacking into Facebook to trick more people. Watch out!

Cindy
[ October 13, 2008 ]

A Big Scam—Please Don't Use Jamster

I typed in "free ringtones" and Jamster popped up so I took a little browse. I did what it told me to do: type in my cell number and code. After a while I looked for a ringtone, "shawty say," it was by Lil Wayne, and downloaded into my phone but I never received it.

After a while I receivd a bill saying my balance is low and I have no more money. I had 4 hours and 90 seconds on my phone. I just got it and I be dog gone if my money was gone that much. I really need Jamster's phone number. I want to contact them a.s.a.p. and I want a refund for my money. People don't use jamster, it's a major scam.

tashay webber
[ October 9, 2008 ]

Jamster Fraud

I recently noticed being charged $6 by Jamster on my cell bill and recall subscribing to it online for so called free ringtones.  Immediately I got a text response confirmed subscription and THEN informed me I would be charged $8 monthly ($2) for my service provider.  So I cancelled the subscription straight away and got the "sorry to see you go" text response.  Despite that I was charged and upon calling Jamster first of all there was no option for Rogers customers and so the automated message was that "I could not be helped".  Then I tried the number they sent me texts from and the personnel that answered advised me that it doesn't matter that I cancelled immediately and that JAMSTER charges the moment you sign up online!  Then she goes "don't worry though because you will most definitely see no more charges billed to your account this point forward"!! JAMSTER is a thief!!!

Shannon Hussein
[ September 13, 2008 ]

Rogers charged $8.00 for sms from jamster!!!

Today I received sms from jamster, asking me to click a link to download something, and I got charged $8.00 for this by Rogers( one of the service providers in Canada). It turned out this $8.00 is a jamster plan. I didn't remember sign up to be a member, I know a few months ago, I got confirmation code to download free ringtones from jamster, but the downloads not working, so I never thought about it anymore, until today I saw my online bill, there's this $8.00 charge from my service provider. I think this is really misleading, I never received any sms asking whether I want to accept the agreement to buy membership or anything like that, so I went on live chat with jamster, we dispute about this, and the Feby lady( not sure whether it's real person or not) agree to send me my refund(check) in 20 days!!! what a scam, I wish we could make this known to everybody on the internet. Anyone ever received the refund check?

Swancity
[ August 31, 2008 ]

Scammed

At least all of you know who it is that is doing this to you. I use Boost Mobile as to limit myself on charges. I have another cell phone from my work so I don't even use the phone, just the 2-way radio. I have been charged 5 x $4.99 now since May. When I call Boost to find out what is going on they tell that it was a 3rd party. They can't tell me who it is exactly! They have given me an 800 number each time so that I may try and sort this out but the number is no good. Been disconnected. So far they have actually credited me for three of the five and got told today that they have already credited the maximum amount they are allowed. I for one am ready to take up a class action lawsuit. It seems the only way. The BBB had to help me get back the money they took. Was told by Boost that it shouldn't continue, was charged again yesterday!!! FRUSTRATING!!!! Was forced to actually change my phone number.

Dan Gallagher
[ August 25, 2008 ]

Game Cheats Master

What is this!! I received a text message saying congrats on your subscription to Game Cheats Master. I texted back, saying I did not sign up for this, and I had better not be billed. I just got my Verizon bill, and I have been charged $9.99 for this service. How did they get my cell #? My spouse works for Verizon!!

Lori O
[ August 10, 2008 ]

Shame on Centennial Wireless too!!!

We have been getting charged $9.99 since December when we switched our 2 phones from Nextel to Centennial. This is such a SCAM and shame on Centennial for not warning their customers or taking action. We did not have this problem with Nextel, which I am now sorry we switched, when we called the 800 number given to us of course, guess what, no one answered, all teleprompts! When we called Centennial AGAIN, they gave us the same 800 number which we tried to tell them we did that months ago and she mentioned this company is being sued! We have now paid $179.82 extra for something we knew nothing about in the beginning! I am letting you know if you are getting phone service from Centennial or any other cell phone service, make sure you ask them lots of questions, for one, I worked for them YEARS ago when it was Cellular One and they would do something similar with the voicemail package with call waiting etc. They would just add it to the bill for $4.95 a month and some of the reps MIGHT tell you about it, but then you would have to remember in 60 days to call if you wanted it cancelled, so I am not buying that Centennial doesn't have anything to do with this! I will fight it to the end-until we win! Will keep you all posted!!!! Good luck!

Cindy-Indiana
[ August 9, 2008 ]

Refund Finally

I have a verizon prepaid phone I use to travel back and forth to work. While I was sleeping I got a premium sms-message that cost me 19.99.it took 3 tries but I finally got my money credited back too my account, no matter what they tell you at first demand a refund it is the carrier that takes it and gets a cut of it, tell them it was a child that signed up and demand to speak to a supervisor and tell them you are going to go to the attorney gen if they don't refund your money or credits etc....it may take a couple of tries but it usually works, don't let them tell you they cant refund your money cause they can and will if you get serious enough.

jff_hyd
[ August 9, 2008 ]

Free Ringtones

I just got on earlier went to free ringtones and they asked for my number and then went to sending me texts messages with pin numbers for ringtones then I got one that said 9.99 would be charged to my cell phone bill . I then got one said send text message to stop it so I automatically did, but if they are advertising it to be free then charge you for it to me this is false advertisement.

Mary
[ July 31, 2008 ]

Scammed

I was on this Hannah Montana quiz and it said "Take this quiz and get and Hannah Montana ringtone." So I did it. Then it texted me and it took 4:50 credits away from me and they keep texting me and now I have 2:00 credits left its unbelievable I am not paying for it and I will phone the police and report to them about Jamster!

IDK
[ July 29, 2008 ]

Never Ordered But Got Charged

I too have been scammed by Jamster! Verizon gave me some bogus website mobilesupport@helpdeskconnect.com to cancel a 9.99 charge that will keep showing up on my bill for what?????? They are trying to say my daughter ordered something called Wedding Bash--please she has no idea what they are talking about and neither do I . I will not be paying that bill!!!

Mary
[ July 24, 2008 ]

Never Ordered

I got my new number yesterday and received a text shortly after saying I renewed my plan ($9.99). Well surprise, I did not even know what Jamster was,Called T Mobile and was told it is ringtones and they removed the charge from my account. I then called Jamster and explained and was told it was a plan from February so it shows what a big mistake it was. I was told they would cancel and text me a confirmation which I never received. But T Mobile knows and took care of it. Plus when tried to text 75555 to put a stop it keeps coming back as: Access denied. Scam Scam Scam.

Marcia
[ July 18, 2008 ]

And the Scam continues

The same thing happened to me, but from TWO companies offering the same kind of service. I entered my cell number ONLY, and received 2 text messages. Then by the end of the month, when my phone bill came, BOOM There it was, a $9.99 charge for each company, for a total of $19.98! I am so tired of Internet Scams! I have no idea how my phone company, AT&T in this case is connected to Jamster or that other website, but one thing I know, I am not paying that extra money :)

Ana dede
[ July 14, 2008 ]

Thumbplay.com and Verizon

I received an email from Verizon notifying me that my monthly bill was ready. I went online to view, and discovered that the bill was higher than normal. I reviewed the bill and discovered a charge of $9.99 from a site called thumbplay.com. The problem with this? It was on my son's phone, and he was outside of the Verizon service area camping on the day this was supposedly done. I contacted Verizon and let them know in no uncertain terms that I would not pay the bill, that it would have been impossible for my son to sign up for this service since Verizon didn't have service, and that if I heard from them again I would cancel my service, which includes 4 lines. As for their cancellation fees, good luck collecting them. I couldn't care less what they do to my credit. I also informed them that this was fraud, and since Verizon was collecting the fees, they must be making a profit for doing so. My next action would be filing a complaint with the Michigan Attorney General's Office of Consumers Complaints. Michigan's politicians are the worst in the country, but our AG does go after rip-offs. Verizon agreed to cancel the $9.99 and put a block on all 4 of my lines for premium text service. They agreed to refund the $9.99 I was billed. Issue resolved.

Pod Dad
[ July 8, 2008 ]

You handled the situation perfectly! You are an example to us all!

Alan
JamsterScam Editor

Jamster Scam

MY husband put $50 pre-paid card on to his mobile phone put the phone on and his $50 was eaten up with messages from Jamster costing him all of his $50. Contacting Voder phone asking for some explanation to this, I was told its Jamster - they charge $5 per message for downloading ring tones etc.

I have never heard of them nor want to download anything. However I was given a telephone number to phone them. On doing this I was told after I threatened them to go to the television company they said they would reimburse me my $50.

Today I received a cheque for $20 from Jamster. Once again I phoned them and was told they only charge for sign up not the cost of the calls. Well who charges me, they could not tell me and who signed me up in the first place.

When is something going to done about this? I am a pensioner and can hardly afford to loose this $50 - sorry, $30 after receiving the $20.

M Chandler
[ July 4, 2008 ]

Wasted Money

Ok I was just trying 2 get a free ringtone so I found jamster. It said that jamster is 100% free. So I started signing up but I had to go somewhere so I turned the computer off.When I came back I restarted. So when I was done I realized that the account I signed up for before counted so I lost $10.00. But the one I just signed up for counted too so I lost $20.00.

adriana
[ July 3, 2008 ]

RingAza

I had my wonderful Moto W755 for about two days when I began looking for Free ring tones from the internet. I stumbled across a site that had the tone I wanted. I selected it and gave the cell number to send it. It sent me a message with a pass word to confirm I had received the ringtone. I entered the pass word and found myself at the scum bag site of RinAza saying "Congrats on signing up to our site, you will be billed $9.99 per month for 15 ringtones and unlimited access to our services" I looked at the screen with a blank face and a pit opening up on the inside of my stomach. Right away I received a text to my phone saying it was from RingAza. I sent the text STOP which I believed would cancel them from texting me. 2 hours after that, I was bombarded with 20 texts. The 20 text wouldn't hurt my bill as I have unlimited texts, but it was the fact that I was duped into going to that site and giving my number to them. I emailed Verizon support with my account info and what not. I told them that I was receiving messages and being billed for stuff that I didn't want, and I was refusing to pay for anything that I didn't get. They told me that it would not be a problem and they would be crediting my account of any money billed and they blocked premium messaging on my account. Thank you soooo much Verizon. Scams like RingAza should be illegal and they should be thrown in jail for false advertisement and stealing from people.

Avid Runner
[ July 2, 2008 ]

Beyond Getting the Money Back

Okay, so we know how to get our money back -- either through a supervisor or by writing the company. I think we should go further. We need to let Verizon Wireless know whether we'd like them to continue this business practice. Here's a letter I wrote to the CEO. If you all send this one or your own to that same address, the CEO will be able to measure whether the profits from these undertakings are worth the heartshare of his customer set. I do appreciate Mr. Seidenberg's favorable response to my request, but I want him to know how I feel about the partnerships they have developed.

June 19, 2008

Ivan G. Seidenberg CEO,
Verizon
140 West St
New York, NY 10007

Dear Mr. Seidenberg,

I have been committed to Verizon for the past eight years. Your company has been providing cell phone service to me from the very beginning of my cell phone usage. At present, all of the members of my family are Verizon cellular service customers as well. We are loyal. But a recent experience with Verizon makes me question whether that loyalty and the trust associated with it is unrequited. In a nutshell, a Verizon partner deceived me; as a result, Verizon sent me a bill for $12.58 on behalf of Alert Subscriptions. On the pretense of offering me a free ringtone through the Internet, they were able to charge for services I did not want. They were only able to do so, with your cooperation. I now know Alert Subscriptions is a scam operation. What I'd like to know is that Verizon will disassociate itself from this operation and all operations which use deception to build revenue — theirs and yours. I'm also asking Verizon to return the $12.58, plus taxes and fees, obtained by you on behalf of Alert Subscriptions through deceptive business practices.

Jack
[ June 30, 2008 ]

Jamster

I had the exact same thing happen to me, only I ended up paying for a whole year until I cancelled with cingular. I think there should be a law suit!!

[ Michelle ]
June 20, 2008

I want my 9.99 refund check

My son, in the month of March 2008, went for the free ringtone on MySpace to his phone from Jamster. Jamster billed him 9.99 for the month of March. They automatically billed him again for the month of April. I called them in the month of May and I agreed to a refund charge of 19.98 in the month of May 2008, unaware that there was another charge coming to my bill for the month of May that came on my June bill. I called them today, June12, 2008, and told them there was another 9.99 charge on my bill for the month of May. They inform me that they didn't have to pay or give me my money back because I agree to the 19.98 refund. I told them, "yes, I agreed, but that was for March and April and I hadn't received my May bill yet." Jamster didn't want to hear anything I was saying. They said that there was nothing they could do and that I should send them an email and tell them I did and they said they would address it to the proper department but they doubt if anything would be done. I told them they were ripping off innocent children and making a large profit off innocent people and that something need to be done about it.

LadyVe
[ June 12, 2008 ]

They must have changed the meaning of free since I last checked

Well, I have good reason to never download ringtones over the internet again. I was searching Google for a free ringtone provider, and stumbled across Jamster claiming to have "over 20 000 hit songs" and of course, it gave no mention of cost. I thought, well just give my number and the confirmation code they send, sounds simple enough. I then discovered that I had in fact paid 6 dollars for 2 ringtones and a graphic. When I went back to look at the ad I initially found, I noticed, in very small print "$6.00/mth.". This made me more angry, not only did I get conned into buying ringtones I didn't want, I also got signed up for a monthly service. I was angry, but it seemed easy enough to remove yourself from the per month charge, but the $6 was already gone. I think, not a big deal, I did want ringtones after all, and $6 isn't that bad (compared to the $3.50 I spent earlier in the day on a single tone, which happens to be a favorite song of mine, so cost wasn't an issue). The thing that irked me most, was that my download of one of the ringtones failed, taking away one of the credits for a ringtone, and making me have to re-download the ringtone, costing another credit. The worst part about the whole deal was that they didn't have the song that I wanted in the first place (even though it said they did when I searched on Google). Basically I got charged $6.00 for a ringtone and a graphic which claimed to be free. I haven't actually received my bill yet either, so I could be looking at more than this. I'm going to be a lot more careful out there now.

Shaun
[ June 11, 2008 ]

Virgin Mobile - Jamster Scam

My 13 yr. old daughter has a Virgin Mobile phone. The Day after adding $20 to her account @ Target (1st time we did it at the store - connection?), her balance was $10. She had not used her phone and the charge to the account was made while she was at school and the phone was at home. After over an hour on the phone with Virgin mobile, and many supervisors later, my wife found out that it was a charge from Jamster. Virgin Mobile told her that we would have to contact Jamster because they couldn't do anything about it. They did not have a phone #, only a website. I went on the website and could find no contact phone #. Found this website and another discussing this scam. I called Virgin Mobile irate and had the # within minutes. Asked to talk to a supervisor and was disconnected. I contacted Jamster (will give # at the end) and explained my problem to a lady from the Philippines. She tried to sell me more programs. I told her I want my $ back about 5 times before she could understand that I wanted my $. When asked about how they could do this without anyone approving it, she said " you need to read your text messages. If you don't cancel the subscription immediately after receiving the text, we charge your account." I had her take the phone # off of their text list, send me a check because they can't credit the account and asked to speak to a supervisor. No supervisor available. I filed a complaint with the FCC against Virgin Mobile and Jamster. The phone # for Jamster - 866-856-5267

Dan
[ May 31, 2008 ]

Same Thing

Charged $8 for free ring tone, never received anything for free, website has no way to contact to complain.

hoodoo
[ May 14, 2008 ]

JamScam Convo. (23min of IM)

Nathan: Welcome to our Service Chat. If you have written a question , please give me a second to read it.

chris: billing

Nathan: Hi Chris. What about the billing.

chris: On april 6th I subscribed to your service and at the time I thought that it was a temporary free trial however I recently received my phone bill and was charged 9.99 so I just cancelled the subscription and I haven't used the service

Nathan: Would yo allow me to check your file to verify if charges?

chris: sure.

Nathan: Thank you. Please stay with me. As per record, charge has been taken place.

chris: ok.

Nathan: Please be informed, as per terms and conditions, upon placing an order, effectively, charges will then automatically placed.

chris: I have no intention of further using the service, and have not placed any orders. upon canceling the service the message mentioned that I would be forfeiting all credits

Nathan: We are sorry for inconvenience but order was placed online as our system is concerned.

chris: I have not received anything from this service.

Nathan: As we do believe, terms have been fully informed our Customers. yes, it is not possible if your phone is not configure to receive our products. Configuration is advised to customer upon having the service on the site.

chris: how can this be fixed? I have been charged for a service I did not use

Nathan: Yes, as we said, charges will effectively placed upon the activation of subscription.

chris: but if I have not received anything for the subscription isn't this the very definition of thievery?

Nathan: Charge for placing an order is clearly informed on the site. We do believe we already informed you through the website. for the charges.

chris: I believe that. the advertisement via Google stated clearly that it was free this is false advertising

Nathan: Yes, registration is for free, but placing of order is not. and,

chris: what have I ordered? when do I get it?

Nathan: You have ordered Jamster XXL Plan on 2008-04-07 and was cancelled it on 2008-04-28.

chris: what came with the plan?

Nathan: If you are referring to items includes: 10 graphics, 6 ringtones and 4 games.

chris: have I received any of these items according to your server?

Nathan: no, these are the credits for Jamster XXL Plan but you have not used it unfortunately.

chris: so what have I received for my nine dollars 99 cents ?

Nathan: Credits are already forfeited upon the cancellation of your account. ok, since you have not used the service, we will make a refund for this, is that okay with you?

chris: Very much so, thank you. what is the exact refund I should expect?

Nathan: To process, give me your full name and your postal address as this will be through check. okay.

chris: J. Christopher Octeau, **************

Nathan: We will process it now and expect that this will be received within 5 to 20 business days. We will also lock your account so that no further messages from our service would come to your end. alright.

Nathan: Is there anything else I could do for you?

chris: excellent, will I be receiving the full $9.99?

Nathan: Yes Chris, if you may allow to call by your first name? Is it okay?

chris: yes thank you that is all have a good day

Nathan: okay.

chris: :)

Nathan: Thank you for contacting us. have a great day. bye bye.

Chris
[ April 28, 2008 ]

?

I am with virgin mobile. my friend had told me that jamster gave you free ringtones so I decided to sign up. it gave me a credit of 6 ringtones, 10 wallpapers, and 4 games that I can not even put on my phone because its not compatible. I was wondering if I was gonna get charged for this cause I never entered any credit card info only my number. I did download a few ringtones, but then they sent me one of them like 3 times and then I had no more credits for the tones. what should I do? did I get charged?

nirvanatears
[ April 23, 2008 ]

Nirvanatears,

I'm certain that you did get charged. What's insidious about this scam is that they don't need your credit card number; they can charge you by just using your cell phone number. It ought to be criminal. There are no consumer protections in place like there would be for a credit card transaction. It can only be done with the cooperation of your cell phone service provider—they're the ones who bill you. They know it's a scam, but they make so much money that they continue to rip off their own customers and play stupid when you call them to contest it. And our lawmakers have stabbed us in the back by not responding to this widespread fraud, no doubt the influence of the huge and profitable cell phone service provider companies (AT&T, formerly Cingular, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint) has something to do with that.

You should call your wireless service provider and don't give up until they give in. They may tell you to call Jamster or give you excuses and act like they've never heard of it happening before. Ask for a supervisor and that person's supervisor. If worse comes to worse and they are not responding, submit a complaint to the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org). They seem to respond to you quickly once you've made a complaint.

Good Luck
Alan [Jamster Scam Editor]

Verizon Premium Text Messaging Opt-Out Option

After receiving another round of joke texts I didn't sign up for, I called verizon and found out that you can now opt out of all premium text messaging with them. it doesn't help if there are other, legitimate premium text messaging services you want (like folks who want to vote for american idol contestants, etc.) but for someone like me who just wants any and all fee-based text messaging to stop, it's perfect.

Not sure of other companies, though, but it's something...

Thanks for you all you've done on this frustrating topic!

Charlotte
[ April 16, 2008 ]

jamsterscam

I just have been scammed and lost a lot of credit on my prepaid phone. the "free" ringtone did not even work.... I e-mailed them and they replied in saying I should txt a 190x number to cancel. I just wonder how much that will cost me! and does it work. I am so angry and it seems nothing can stop them from using my number to scam again. somebody can help?

yvonne
[ April 12, 2008 ]

Ringaza Liars and Telecom Enablers

Last month I noticed a charge of $9.99 on my T-Mobile bill for a 'premium text message service' that I never ordered, never heard of, knew nothing about. The charge was from a company called Opera Communications AKA Ringaza. To make a long story short, it took three phone calls to T-Mobile and a threat to discontinue their service and file an FCC complaint before they agreed to take the charge off my bill. Their first response was that there was nothing that T-Mobile could do about it and I would have to take up the issue with Ringaza/Opera. It was only after calling back to discontinue my service that they agreed to give me a credit...on my next bill. If they fail to credit me as promised, I will cancel their service and buy a Go Phone. I also called 'customer service' at Ringaza. They are liars and I caught them red handed. They claimed that someone had to have had access to my cell phone the day that the charge was posted to activate their service. My statement showed no outgoing calls or text messages on that date that could have subscribed me to their service...just a text message from them that I never answered (I had figured it was spam and ignored it). T-Mobile is to blame because they are allowing their customers accounts to be used like credit cards...only they are allowing these phony subscription services to be attached to their bills by anyone (which means everyone)with access to your cell phone number ...without needing any kind of a PIN number.

LFNYC
[ March 6, 2008 ]

m-cube Mobile Messaging

I recently have been getting these text from a mobile messaging company called m-cube #66047. I think it was someone that I knew probably subscribed me there because the text were about how I be going out to all these clubs that I do go to, so it had to be someone I knew. But I still called my phone company Sprint and they gave me the #, but it was all automated. I never found out who subscribed me or anything.

julez
[ February 12, 2008 ]

Sign a Petition to Help Stop the Ringtone Scammers

I have lodged a petition with no 10 [ the office and home of the British Prime Minister ] to request that they stop the ringtone scammers and force them to get a signed contract for ringtones instead of as it is now.

That way they won't be able to set up subscriptions without a signed legal document from the users, so if you agree with me on this simply use the link below and register. You sign up for my petition and then forward the e-mail to everyone you know, as the more names I get the more likely they are to take notice.

It may not do anything, but at least we'd have tried.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ringtones/

Dawn Shelton
[ February 11, 2008 ]

They stole my song off youtube, and put it up for sale [as a ringtone] the next day.

I posted a song on you tube, on Thanksgiving (9/22/07). it was reposted the very next day by the youtube user StepZaraa1d0. The video suddenly had "RingtoneTen.com" imprinted on it (RingtoneTen.com actually leads right to Jamster.com), and the "more info" section next to the video had a huge form-letter advertisement claiming to sell the song as a ringtone. Youtube has since deleted the account advertising the song. Still, I'm not too happy with Jamster. Not only was there no permission to use the song, but they didn't even ask. This is from the official link [omitted]: "Update 11/24. Apparently it only took one day for a company to appreciate my song enough to repost it without crediting me, and to entirely miss the point. I try to express something, and their immediate response is to use it. First, by cutting it down into a RINGTONE, and then to package and sell it like a pack of gum. Thanks for debasing my music, heartless capitalists. And thanks for validating the song."

Jestry
[ January 19, 2008 ]

Mobile Messenger Scam Company

Mobile Messenger is a scam company that targets young girls to sign up for a text messaging "service." But everyone can be gotten by the company, independent of age or gender. And they seem to be expanding their target audience. I fell victim to their scam and was charged 9.99 for one day. If you have had a bad experience with Mobile Messenger please report them. Visit this website: http://www.ic3.gov/ In terms of entering the information about the business, here is an example of what you could write. Business Name: Mobile Messenger optional (First Name: Michael) optionasl (Last Name: Pajaczkowski) optional Gender: male Address: 2700 Colorado Ave #450, Santa Monica, CA 90404 (or any of the above addresses) Phone number: the 800 number, (310)425-7331, or any other number you have for MM web site: mobilemessenger.com or the site that you visited when "signing up" for the "service"

Elena
[ December 10, 2007 ]

Tired of being ripped off!

Hi, I am so tired of being ripped off by my sprint cell phone. They say I made these calls that I know I didn't make, but the #'s I use are correct! Now, in Sept. I had a 500.00 bill, crazy, I paid the dam thing I was tired of arguing with them. That bill was suposed to be only 79.99 ok. Then I moved & dropped my plan to 59.99, because I have a land line. Well this bill was 300.00 They are crazy if they think I'm going to pay them! This month I get a bill for 241.00, & I only used the phone 10x's that month. Besides all that I have on both of the plans was free unlimited incoming calls , so I would ask everyone that I was talking to, to call me back so I didn't get charged! I don't know what else to do, but I know what I not going to do! I'm not paying those 2 bills! They are nuts! Rita (Nov.23,2007 P.S. Please e-mail me if you have a sujestion for me or something?

Rita
[ November 23, 2007 ]

Ringaza and Photobucket

For those of you who are not sure when you or your kids were signed up for ringaza, ask if you or they created a photobucket account. When you enter your cell phone in photobucket (after entering your date of birth) during the initial registration process, you are added to ringaza. I got T-Mobile to blacklist ringaza after a few attempts today. I also sent an email to photobucket. They are a reputable website so I am not sure what they are doing associating with ringaza???

WildOne
[ November 13, 2007 ]

Ringaza Scam

I was scammed by ringaza for $30 on one bill. They sent me a text message saying I had some downloads and to reply help or stop. That text message cost me $9.99 I guess because I looked at it. I replied help not understanding what the downloads were about and just wanting clarification. They responded two more times that they didn't understand my message. That cost me another $9.99 each. On the bill from Cingular under the column Merchant Contact was a phone number and it turned out to be Cingular's number not Ringaza's. I am pissed at Ringaza for using my phone number like a credit card number and I'm pissed at Cingular for allowing it. Hope this helps.

Andy
[ November 12, 2007 ]

Ringaza Scam

My husband was scammed by the "Free ringtone download" when he was visiting the Horsecity website. Well, he fell for the bait. All they needed was his cell phone number and the scam was on. He said he never even fully completed the whole process and certainly never got a free ringtone. Within minutes he was getting a text message from Ringaza. He immediately responded with a stop quit reply text message. When we got our Verizon bill, we were billed $9.99 for "premium text messaging". This is a huge scam! When we contacted Verizon, they didn't want to help and said we'd have to contact Ringaza. When my husband called them, he was on hold for 2 1/2 hours before being disconnected. The next day, he was on hold for 45 minutes before speaking with someone who said that even though he canceled it, he'd have to pay for that first $9.99 charge. What kind of crap is that? He never downloaded a ringtone and had canceled as soon as he got the text message after being on the computer -- I mean, we're talking a matter of a couple of minutes. How can someone be expected to pay for something they never agreed to and never got any product that they were selling? Do the math -- can you imagine how much they're scamming people out of at $9.99 a pop for the tens of thousands of people that are falling prey to this scam? Ringaza needs to be shut down by the Federal Trade Commission or whoever regulates their sorry business. We also sent an e-mail to Ringaza disputing the charge. They replied and said that my husband put in his PIN number, so we'd have to pay the charge. He never put in a PIN number. We don't even have a PIN number that I know of. They just keep coming up with more excuses to try and justify an illegal charge. I'm also very upset with Verizon that they seemed so unconcerned and unwilling to assist. They should care more that their customers are being scammed!

Lori in Georgia
[ November 10, 2007 ]

They charged me $26!!

My daughter sent a txt message to receive a free ringtone from the tv. Next thing she told me there was no credit left so I went to recharge with 30 bucks. I went to work that day and had to put the phone on silent. At the end of the day I opened up my phone to see that I had 5 unread txt messages. They all were from jamster and I got charged at least 6 bucks per each one! I only had $4 of credit remaining! Half my credit gone in one day. I called up my phone company and asked what happened. They said jamster had been the cause of all the charges. Never order stuff from tv or those f**king idiots at Jamster again! I REPEAT DON'T ORDER RINGTONES FROM JAMSTER!! unless you want all your credit eaten up then knock yourself out!

Amanda
[ November 6, 2007 ]

mQube scam

Got hooked wile on my pc, and I've been charge to my cingular phone with n o authorization 9.99 a month. Now, Cingular is going ot give me credit, but this company keeps on sending texts with content to download. Does anyone know the phone numer or how can I stop this? There is no way to reply to this specific text. So I can write "STOP:... Please let me know, thank you

Norma
[ October 31, 2007 ]

How Jamster works...

There are a lot of options on how you can download products from Jamster:

1. By sending a text message of the product code seen on a tv commercial or a magazine ad;
2. Online registration thru www.jamster.com; and
3. By calling Jamster's Hotline number 1-866-856-5267.

Customers are billed on a monthly basis for US customers for the amount of $9.99 or $5.99. For AUS customers you get billed $10 weekly. Service can be cancelled by texting the word "STOPALL" and send it to either 75555 for USA or 194000 AUS. Jamster sends messages to inform customers of their active subscription. They have an option to call our hotline or text the word "STOPALL" if they want the service cancelled. We also have a live chat available thru our website as well. We do not subscribe customers without their knowledge. Most of the customer would claim they "did not" sign up for anything but while talking with them on one part of the conversation they will admit that they tried to get one tone and that was it. So since the charge is either monthly or weekly automatically the customer will be billed since the account is active. That means whether a download was made or not as long as the service is still active the customer gets billed. We do send out sms to customers so at least they are notified of the service but since most of them choose to delete the messages without reading it then it would not be our problem anymore. We did our best to inform customers of their active subscription but they opted to delete the message so it would be their problem already. We also have cases wherein it's their kids who activated the service and had been ordering the products and yet they would deny that. We also have cases wherein it is the adult who did subscribe but would lie and say that they did not but in one part of the conversation they will admit they did it. We do offer free tones and you can get that by sending "GIFT1" to 75555 for USA customers. If you go online and try to register your number it does disclose details of the charge and requirements like SMS and GPRS service that has to be activated. Sometimes it is the customer who does not read all the details and would just blame Jamster for the charges when in the first place we did inform them. We also do not allow minors ordering our products not unless there is a parents consent that is why we require parents to fax us letters of consent allowing their minor kids to order jamster service. We offer refund for customers who would call in and request for one. It does take 20 working days to process and deliver the check I hope customers would be responsible enough to admit if they ordered something or not and not just put the blame on Jamster. Your number will not be registered if not an order was made. If you have kids please be responsible to check what your kids are doing with their phone. You cannot just simply blame people or a company. Just don't point your fingers at us without checking what your kids did. We get a lot of calls from minors pretending to be their parents either to order products or even request for refund since they did something and they do not want their parents to find out about this. We are doing our end of the bargain hope you as parents or guardians could do your part as well. Thank you...

Jamster Customer Service
[ October 5, 2007 ]

There you have it—no one can say we don't let the other side express their point of view.

Jamster Scam Editor

Ringaza Fraud

Same story. My daughter downloaded a "free" ringtone. Then she answered a prompt saying she did not want to subscribe to any ringaza service. However, the ringaza scam site treated it as if she had SUBSCRIBED. We were charged $9.99 Verizon agreed to remove the charge. That was a month ago. Just now, my daughter got another text message from ringaza notifying her that she was automatically "renewing" her membership for another month ($9.99). Of course she had never subscribed in the first place.

Then *** and this is what proves it's a complete scam, we went to the Web site and followed the unsubscribe instructions but IT WOULD NOT LET US UNSUBSCRIBE. Remember we were never subscribed to begin with. And it won't let you unsubscribe the bogus subscription! I'm a correspondent for CBS News and think this would possibly make a good fraud story. Please email me your contact information if this has happened to you: sac@cbsnews.com. Thank you.

CBS News
[ October 1, 2007 ]

Any Way To Take Peoples Money!

I got this phone used from my son (used) little did I know that jamster was connected to this phone, they deducted money from my account with virgin mobile, I didn't know that I had ordered this crap and who in their right mind would pay 10 bucks a month for this!

Diane
[ September 17, 2007 ]

LIES

At 2 am i get a text message from 26706 i click read and then i get subscribed to this trash, when it said click confirm i clicked X ie delete i didnt confirm and i checked my bill and it signed me up it doesnt even ask to confirm, its a phishing scam. someone sue them now, contact your senator. http://www.verisign.com/m-qube/support-faqs/index.html

Lawyer
[ September 15, 2007 ]

scams

I am now on my second round of scams on one of my phones that I own-this time a different phone- I am just wondering if anyone who has their phone and text messaging provided to them through their company they work for-has had this happen to them- If not very interesting that these scammers prey on privately owned phone and can't touch the bussinesses. If so shows yu how much of a scam this really is....

J
[ September 13, 2007 ]

Class Action Suite

If you hear of one let me know.

Michael Wallace Pumphrey
[ September 12, 2007 ]

Scam by Verizon Wireless

I encountered an intolerable situation today with my wireless carrier, Verizon Wireless. I am a business professional who travels extensively and unfortunately I do not look closely at my bills. I discovered tonight that I have been the victim of a third-party scam that is being encouraged by Verizon Wireless. Tonight I noticed an extra charge on my Verizon Wireless bill of $9.99 for a �Premium TXT Message�. When I called Verizon Wireless, they said that I had authorized the charges from a third-party company called ThumbPlay, and that Verizon Wireless was authorized to charge this back on my cell phone bill. I told them that I never authorized any charges from Thumbplay, and that I had never heard of the company. I live alone, and no one uses my phone. I have never downloaded any ring tones or games � my handheld is a business phone that is used for cell phone service and e-mail only. Verizon Wireless failed to address my complaints: They said that the charges were legitimate and that I had authorized them. I did not. I do not have time to download ring tones, and I don�t care what my phone sounds like when it rings (usually I leave it on vibrate). I do not have any teenagers in the house. I live alone. Verizon Wireless said the only way to stop the charges would be to send a text message to Thumbplay asking to �unsubscribe�. I refused based on that if I send a text message to a company I do not have a relationship with it would be admitting that I had subscribed in the first place, which I did not. Further, they may be able to collect additional private information about me. Verizon Wireless said they could not stop the charges on my behalf � that I had to contact Thumbplay. I did not authorize any purchases from Thumbplay, and I did not authorize Verizon Wireless to accept erroneous charges on my behalf. I asked Verizon Wireless to block all �third party charges� � they refused and said they could not do that. I asked Verizon Wireless to block my cell phone number from �Premium Txt Messages� � they refused and said they could not do that. I asked Verizon Wireless to block my cell phone from all text messaging � they said they could block text messaging but that would not prevent continuing monthly charges from Thumbplay. I asked Verizon Wireless to credit my account for all unauthorized charges from Thumbplay � they said they could only credit two months, even though they explained that they had been billing me since May. I asked Verizon Wireless to show me a text message from my telephone number to Thumbplay, and they said they did not have the text messages from May when the charges started. I am incredibly concerned about Ringtone Scams, and the ability of the wireless carriers to easily place charges on consumer�s telephone bills. I am even more concerned about how HARD it is to reverse these charges, and how much money doesn�t get reversed or credited back to the consumer. This is legalized extortion in my opinion, and the wireless carriers are as equally guilty as the third-party provider. It should be illegal to bill these services without a written, signed authorization from the account holder. Since when is Verizon Wireless a credit card company? Sadly, I had to CHANGE my cell phone number which Verizon Wireless said was the only way to stop the charges from continuing. Here is my suggestion to EVERYONE. There is power in numbers. Write to the FCC and explain what is happening. This is an unlawful act, and must be stopped immediately. Kevin Martin is the Chairman of the FCC and his e-mail is KJMWEB@fcc.gov.

Sharon
[ September 11, 2007 ]

Blinko and LaNetro on T-Mobile

My boyfriend has his cell phone payments automatically withdrawn so he doesn't pay much attention to his bill. I noticed last month's bill that there were $16 dollars in "Premium Service" charges on his bill--it's his phone, so I left him alone...but when I saw that he had the same charges this month I asked him if he knew what it was about. Turns out Blinko and LaNetro have been sending him texts forever--he never subscribed, never downloaded a ringtone or game from either company. He just thought they were junk texts and ignored them! Blinko was getting 9.99 out of him every month, and LaNetro 5.99. I'm honestly afraid to find out how long this has been going on. We called T-Mobile and were told that there was nothing they could do to block texts or reverse charges. It appears we've managed to unsubscribe from both... If we make a big stink about this would we be able to get some of the charges reversed? This is a very weird and expensive problem!

Cabra
[ September 11, 2007 ]

yeah another story.......

08/24 Mobile Messeng:33999#2309 m-Qube Inc. 1-800-331-0500 19.99 1.40 21.39 this what i saw on my bill today when i was checking my phone bill.....and i immediately typed it in google only to find out that its some kind of fraudy thingy....this is so insane....dont the fraudsters find better people to cheat who r not people trying to make ends meet.

S
[ September 10, 2007 ]

Another Big Giant Chump

I was looking for an obscure song on the internet that I didn't know the name of. I finally found it, and thought, "gee, I'd like to have that as a ring tone." I'm a Virgin subscriber, so I Googled "Virgin ringtones" and up came Jamster. Sooooo, thinking I could just log on and check to see if they had the song before downloading it, I plugged in my number and they sent me a pin. Boy am I stupid. I thought I was just accessing the website. In just a couple of seconds I sent them the "stop" text message. I also logged on for a live "chat", where I sat for over 40 minutes and the only answer I got out of it was that they would not reverse the charges. I just paid ten bucks for an account open for 30 seconds. Then the CSR stopped talking altogether. I closed the window and tried to open another chat and got a message on screen that the server as down. "Sorry, try back later." I think I just lost $10 for a couple of seconds of curiosity. I'll try Virgin and see if they can credit my account. Somehow I have my doubts.

Big Giant Chump II
[ September 7, 2007 ]

Same Problem with Ringaza.com

My daughter's phone through Verizon has also been charged $9.99 by ringaza. When I called them, they stated the same thing: they would not refund. They said she authorized the download. I told them she was a minor and was not authorized to agree to pay for anything. They said their terms & conditions state that minors should get parent's permission!!! What child reads terms & conditions? And what did they do to assure that this was not a child? NOTHING! When talking to my daughter, she swears that she did not order anything and does not have any downloads on her phone. I am not going to let this drop. As soon as I find out which state this company does business in, I am going to write the attorney general of that state. This is definitely a scam!!!

Nancy
[ September 5, 2007 ]

Nancy,

Remember: it is Verizon that is charging you $9.99, not Ringaza! Verizon knows exactly what's going on, but they continue because they get a cut of each transaction and they have power over you—to hold you to your contract and destroy your credit if you don't pay the fraudulent charges. It is Verizon that is allowing your daughter's cell phone number to be used like a credit card, without any of the safety protocols used for credit cards. And credit card companies will go to bat for their customers against fraudulent businesses.

I would demand that Verizon refund your money (and be sure to have them cancel the subscription so you aren't charged every month).

Jamster Scam Editor

Call Your Supplier

Call your supplier they will block jamster or whatever from sending stuff 2 u.

Jess
[ August 29, 2007 ]

Jamster Scam in Australia Too!

I have just realized I too have been burnt by this horrid scam. I purchased a phone several months ago through bigpond. I did download one song - just one. that was it, I am 40 yo female and it was just too time consuming and I decided I'd never do that again, then after that I received on average 4 text messages a day all from the same number all offering ringtones and wall paper etc, I just ignored and deleted, but after the second bill that I received and just paid, I had time to sit and read my bill, I was amazed to see that I had been charged for each and every one of those text messages, upon ringing my mobile phone provider who told me it's nothing to do with them, they just pay jamster for services I have initiated, but they gave me a phone number to ring them direct and also we put a bar on my phone so they could never text me again.

I feel bigpond (telstra) should have a duty of care to make sure their customers are protected from these type of companies, but they are wiping their hands of anything to do with it. I rang this jamster who's offices are in berlin germany and spoke to an asian woman, she offered me $30 back but that is it, so I said no, I don't want the $30. I want exactly what they have taken from me unauthorized. She said there's nothing she can do, so I got the details of who to write a letter to. which I have done today and posted it airmail to bloody germany. I have looked on internet and see that there are connections to big businessmen in australia too. this needs to stop. I didn't notice the first time it happened I just paid the bill, but how many times would people just pay it and not realize or not want the hassle of fighting it or just taking that $30 they offer to shut you up. So read your bills and don't ever ever buy a ring tone or anything thru your phone. I will also be going to the NSW Telecommunications Ombudsman as well, but what can one country lady do about this????? ps excuse any spelling errors, just in hurry to send this.

D Moffitt
[ August 27, 2007 ]

Ring Tone Not Ordered

I received my bill from Verizon and noticed a charge of $9.99 for premium txt messaging. I called Verizon and asked about it and they said it was from ringaza.com. They also told me that they would put a stop on my phone. However, they also told me that I would have to call RINGAZA to have my account credited. Well, I was informed that I subscribed to this service on June 24 (Sunday). No way, Jose. Also, under their terms and conditions, I would not get a refund or credit to my account. Which way do I go? Thanks, Athens, Al

POP
[ August 23, 2007 ]

False Charge

A charge showed up on my Verizon bill that I subscribed to "something" and I didn't. I went on line to check on ringtones, which they told me I could not do with the model phone I have. Then I started getting all of these text messages from them about advertisements, which I stopped. Verizon gave me a phone number to call ringaza. Every time I was next to talk with a representative, the phone disconnected. Verizon also told me how to send something by text to cancel the "subscription." I will not pay the bill and they need to be aware of that. Help.

Tina McMillan
[ August 14, 2007 ]

Tina,

Clearly you did not intend to purchase anything since they told you the ringtones wouldn't work with your phone—that's just common sense. The problems you had while trying to cancel with Ringaza just underscores why it is necessary to hold Verizon responsible and demand a full remedy from them. They are the ones who allowed your cell phone number to be used like a credit card, and that without your consent. They are the ones who sent you a bill. They are the ones who can threaten to destroy your credit if you don't pay that bill.

I would keep pressing Verizon to do the right thing (remember they are getting a cut of everything, so they don't want to admit they can do anything and set a precedent). Keep calling and ask to speak to a supervisor all the way up until you get someone who will cancel the subscription and reverse all charges.

At the same time, I also recommend that you file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (bbb.org). I know that Cingular takes such complaints very seriously and Verizon may too.

Jamster Scam Editor

Why I am a Big Giant Chump

My coworkers and I got into a dumb conversation about ringtones at work. I went onto Jamster (the name is recognizable, so it's not dangerous, right?) to see what was popular these days. I put in my phone number. No harm there, right? They don't know my name, or have any of my credit card info, they're just making sure my carrier is compatible with their services. I am such an ass. Goodbye, ten dollars.

Big Giant Chump
[ August 9, 2007 ]

Well I hate to tell you this, but in most cases people report that the scam involves a subscription and that you can expect this charge to recur each month. I suggest you demand a remedy from your cell phone service provider.

Jamster Scam Editor
(Also a Chump)

Blinko Has Got To Be Banned From The Earth

I had blinko in my phone at 9.99 amount. I never text or message. Sprint credited my account and block it. Sprint always is fair in charges plus they said if they see it again that they will credit that too.

Sprint did me right!
[ August 5, 2007 ]

Dadamobile/Verizon Scam

I just received a $9.99 charge on my Verizon bill from Dadamobile for a "premium text message." When I called Verizon Customer Service, they assured me that there was no way for dadamobile to charge me without my consent. In actuality, this is nothing I signed up for via web site, text message, or any other means that I'm aware of. Verizon says their records show an out-going text from my cell phone to their short code 63232. When I look in my cell phone history, which I've never deleted anything from, I show two inbound messages, but no outbound messages. Verizon would not delete the charge, but gave me instructions on how to stop the service. Bottom-line, somehow I'm getting billed for a service I never ordered. I wish Verizon and dadamobile could feel the pain of this! I'll try calling dadamobile tomorrow. 1-888-214-0381

Gary N
[ July 31, 2007 ]

Ringaza Problem?

My daughter subscribed to Ringaza last night, thinking there were no charges involved. So she just replied to the text messages with STOP. Does this mean we will still be charged 9.99 a month? If so, is there any way to cancel that?

Susan
[ July 30, 2007 ]

Susan,

I found this on the Support/FAQ page on Ringaza's Web site:

How do I cancel a subscription?
You may cancel a subscription using your phone. Send the keyword STOP to XXXXX and then follow the instructions for unsubscribing. Alternatively, you can go to our Contact Us page.

The address of their Contact Us page is: http://www.ringaza.com/help/det_contactus.php.

Since there are many reports of people still being charged after attempting to cancel their subscription in this manner (from any company, not Ringaza specifically), I think it is wise to call your cell phone service provider and have them make sure you are never charged again. They have the ability to do this, though they may deny it at first.

Jamster Scam Editor

A Single Download Billed 12 Times—Yet Download Still Not Received

In August of 2006 I had just purchased a new RAZA mobile phone. One night I was watching TV when an ad came across the screen advising that you could download your favourite song for a mere $4.55, which I proceeded to do. I was sent an SMS not 5 minutes after, but no matter what I tried the instructions provided did not allow me to save the ring tone. I simply deleted it and went on, not giving the $4.55 another thought, that is until I received my phone bill on July 2007. I had been sent the ring tone 12 times, each time being billed $4.55. I had never opened any of the sms's in fact, I deleted each as they arrived - so, now I have no ring tone and a bill for $60. When I tried to call Jamster ...I was lead through the usual automated instructions and when I finally got to the end, where the line was ringing when it was finally answered, there was no one at the other end ....I'm fuming and am determined to get my money back

Shawn
[ July 26, 2007 ]

Illegal Charges

I was once going to download a Ring tone from Jamster a few years ago. It said it was free so I had a look. When I found the song I wanted, I found out that I had to pay about $7 for the song. I decided not to. I could live without the song. However I never entered my mobile details, I didn't sign up and I did not agree to any terms and conditions. This was about two and a half years ago. About 4 weeks ago, I got my phone bill and it was high so I called my phone provide and they told me that I had been billed by Jamster. With my phone company, they do not show the name of the company that bills your mobile account. It just shows up under other charges next to the SMS charges so I have always assumed that this charges where from extra long SMS messages. I contacted Jamster and they had 2 account (one account 2 years old and one 2.5 years old) under my mobile number. Over the last 2.5 year, Jamster has illegally billed my Mobile account for over $700. I told them to cancel both accounts and I wanted a full refunded as I never signed up. They said that I can use the 2 accounts and use the free credit that has been built up over the years. Which means I could download over 800 mobile software/games, about 1000 backgrounds and 500-600 free ring tones. All free of charge. I told them that I did not want this. I don't think they even have that much stuff. So they 'kindly' offered me a $20 refund. Again, I was not happy with this, so their supervisor decided to offer me a $30 refund. After fighting with them for over an hour, I decided to let it rest for the day cause I just was not happy at all. To cut a long story short, here we are 3 weeks later, about 5 phone calls, 15 emails and 20, maybe 30 live chats with their support they have decided to offer me an extra $20 worth of free Jamster credit to use on their site. Every time I talk to their support desk I get different answers. They will not pass this matter onto their legal department, and according to their support department they do not have a Customer Relations manager. To tell you the truth, I am not sure if Jamster operates legally, which is why I have registered a complaint against Jamster to the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) so it should be interesting to see what happens from this. Anyway, have your say on this matter, should be interesting to see what other people have to say on this.

Timothy
[ 26 July 2007 ]

Same Problem with Jamster

WHAT A SCAM.... I never download ringtones, but this one was free and looked fun. As stated, they did not ask for a credit card or other info, but when I got my text message back, it said WELCOME to JAMSTER, and basically you are now on the $9.99/month program. Within 2 minutes I got online with their online chat operator and asked if I was now signed up on a program.... it took forever, but she said yes I was. I said CANCEL THIS IMMEDIATELY which again took forever for her to respond... (its instant chat, how long can it take?). She said the charges have already gone through and that she could not reverse the charge... after I threw another snit, she said they would send me a check within 30 BUSINESS DAYS! Unbelievable... what a scam... if they do no more than hold onto your money for the 30 days these guys are making a fortune! They should be sued!

eshopper
[ July 24, 2007 ]

Flycelll Scam

I can't even put it all in words. All I can say is that I am so disgusted with Sprint for allowing this to happen to their customers. Third party my ass!

Sharon Salimi
[ July 20, 2007 ]

Scam

Well I downloaded a tone from Jamster and it started to cost too much. It went from $5.00, then the next week it went to $10.00 per week. It just kept on going up in its price. I sent a message to Jamster, "stop," and it told me that I couldn't stop it. So I was stuck with the tone and I kept getting charged $10 dollars per week and it will not stop charging me. So they are a real big scam. So whatever you do, do not get songs off Jamster. If I could meet them I would have to tell them that their idea of Jamster is all one big scam and a rip off and they should not be allowed to do this kind of thing to people, not when we have to pay bills and we have to pay for everything else. All I have to say is earn your money some other way, not by stealing it.

Jessie White
[ July 20, 2007 ]

Ringaza Scam

I received my T-Mobile bill a couple of days ago, and see a $10 charge under my daughter's phone, for something called RingAza. I asked my daughter about it, and she said she signed up for it because she received an e-mail saying it was free and such. She even downloaded a few ringtones which she didn't receive. So I decide to go online and check it out when I come across this website. I've just sent and e-mail saying STOP to RingAza. Can anyone help me out?

Sandy
[ July 18, 2007 ]

m-qube Charging to Cingular

Hi, I have an account with The new ATT and for months I have gotten a direct billing from m-qube. Previous to the charge I had all text messages blocked from the 4 cell phones in the family plan. I am however still receiving the bill. I have asked Cingular/ATT to take the charge off and they have accommodated me. I have been trying to find out how to contact this m-qube so I can stop this unwanted routine!! It is a real nuisance. Does anyone have a number to contact them?????

Thank you,

Jackie
[ July 14, 2007 ]

Texts from Jamster

Yes I am at the moment trying to stop Jamster sending me texts. If I open them I find that I am charged $2.12 for the privilege. So the 4 texts they send me a month cost me $8 plus. I have never subscribed to their service but did buy a ring tone from them. I have tried to phone them but have a recorded message played to me saying to phone back later. I have now gone to the website to cancel the subscription(that I never started) only to find I need my password to do it. Since I didn't subscribe so haven't a password I am now stuck. I am now going back to the phone to try again. I will win…eventually.

molliecollie
[ July 3, 2007 ]

m-Cube inc. Scam

I received my cell phone bill with two charges from m-Cube inc. for $13.98 on my dad's phone which is part of our family plan. I called Cingular (the new at&t) and they informed me that m-Cube inc. is a "third party" company and that they can charge a customer for simply sending them a text! I informed the customer service rep. that my dad didn't even know how to send or receive text messages. He informed me that if you do receive a text message from an unknown source that you need to send a text back with the message "STOP" to the sender. I must say that the customer service rep from cingular was very helpful and removed the charges. He also helped me in blocking any data or text on my dad's phone so that it won't happen again. I am concerned, however, that companies like cingular shouldn't allow companies like m-Cube inc. to prey on it's customers; especially unwitting customers. In this day and age of technology that we live in you can't tell me that cingular can't block such blatant acts of wireless piracy. I also find it funny that someone like my dad, who is 64 years old, was preyed upon and not someone like myself who is 29 years old and obviously knows better because I caught this.

Jason
[ July 2, 2007 ]

I've Been Scammed and Ripped Off

I opened up my phone bill and to my amazement I was billed up to $30 a week, from these phony #$^&&$#@$$%. I've tried to contact my carrier to see if they can stop this ruthless practice and they said I have to contact them myself. I've ben paying now for almost 3 months @ about $60 a mt. Can somebody please advice me as to what to do so I can be taken off this god forsaken site so I can go on with my reg, life

G9
[ June 14, 2007 ]

What a rip off!!!

I was only sitting down watching tv. I got really board, so I thought I'd go up to the computer. I wanted this song on my phone but nobody had it so they couldn't send it to me by bluetooth. So I went onto jamster and found this song. I read terms and conditions and thought go on, might as well, then to find that once I had submitted, they took my money and I hadnt got my song!! They sent me texts saying that if you have any problems, ring such and such number, for free. So I rang that but couldnt get through because I had no credit!!even though they said it was for free. I never got that tone. Weeks later when I put more credit on they kept on taking my money but gave me nothing in return!!! I tried to send stop but that didnt work. C***S THE LOT OF THEM!!! IT NEEDS TO BE STOPPED, SO THEY CAN'T DO THIS.

Natalie
[ June 13, 2007 ]

Cingular (Funmobile)

I have been charged on my cingular cell phone 4 times for some thing called "funmobile" to the fee of 19.95 each plus tax. I don't have any idea where this is coming from, certainly not me. First cingular said that it was a 3 step order from my cell phone, now they are saying that it is a subscribition off the interent, which I had nothing to do with either. Now I am being told to contact mqube.com to get it straightened out,ya, good luck. I feel cingular should be getting it straightened out, if not, after several years with them I am going to cancel my contract and be darned if I'm going to pay the cancell fee.

michael slocum
[ June 11, 2007 ]

Facts About Jamba/Jamster from Ex-Manager

1. Jamster is a part of the larger Jamba firm
2. Jamster is not an american company, it was originally started by 3 brothers in Berlin, Germany, where its corporate HQ remains.
3. Due to poor/young/inexperience Jamba's controlling interest was bought by VeriSign, Inc. who has developed the largest delivery platform in the world
4. As of last year New Corporation (aka: FOX-Rupert Murdoch) bought controlling interest in Jamba along with Myspace.
5. All service providers are "partners" with Jamba. It is not in their interest to help people get their money back, etc.
6. You can get every cent back, even if you intended on ordering and wanted the products.
7. It is Jamba/Jamster policy to deny any and all refunds, except in the event of a minor, which they will refund immediately. However, ask how much you have been billed, by law they have to tell you. then ask for every euro, dollar, pound back and just say it was a minor's phone (13 yrs old is a good age to use). they can not verify.
8. I have worked extensively on the management and policy making level for this firm and know it inside and out. I would be glad to help anyone who needs advise. I left on my own accord to pursue more fruitful career direction and I am not disgruntled, just think people as consumers have the right to know.

Jess
[ June 4, 2007 ]

Jamster for 19.99 per month

On my cingular bill Jamster keeps showing up and something called Buorginio or something like that for 9.99 per month. I have never had anything to do with Jamster or the other thing, and every month I have had to call Cingular to dispute it. How do I make this stop?!?!? I don't even know how it got there.

Stephanie
[ May 16, 2007 ]

mqube.com

mqube.com has fraudulently charged my Cingular cell phone account 4 months in a row for 4ea charges of $29.99 each month for ringtone downloads. Each month I have to pay the amount and then Cingular credits me the amount back but it takes two months to process. So mqube and Cingular are using my (our)money interest free for two months. This may not sound like much on an individual basis but when you figure that it is happening to tens of thousands of people that is a chunk of change. What can we do collectively as a group to rectify this Bull *&^%. I just spent 30 minutes of my day straightening this out again with Cingular. Which they said(again) "I am certain this won't happen again." I told them this time ,"if it does I am cancelling my contract. We all need to do this and then we can have strength in numbers!!!!!!!

casey pons
[ May 11, 2007 ]

Blinko Mobile

O.k., so ringtones anywhere are like 3 bucks, no problem. I bought about 9 ringtones from blinko mobile. They charged me $29.99 each song. They have no contact number or information anywhere?? I cant find them anywhere. So I ended up with a 300 dollar phone bill. I got scammed. I still had to pay cingular for the bill. How come no one can help me? Why is there no way for me to contact this comapany?

Melissa
[ May 8, 2007 ]

Thumb Play

I have had the same problem for 4 months and Cingular told me they would take care of it and every month I get a charge for 19.99 from Thumbpaly and Mqube. Finally today I have a parental blocker so no services can be added without a pin. I really hope this helps. I have spent at leat 2 hours on my phone trying to get these crooks out of my life. I hope someone shuts these leeches down.

Paul Sutton
[ May 4, 2007 ]

Free Ring Tone for Playing a Game

My son told me he would was going to get a free ring tone for playing a game on this cool website. He said there would be no costs involved, "of course what 11 year old would read the fine print anyway". 3 Weeks later, I received the phone bill with not only one charge but four separate charges totaling $50. I phoned Cingular and they did split the costs with me and refunded me $30 for the subscriptions that we didn't even sign up for. I think Jamster, MBlox and all of these other companies should pay.

11 year old son's Mom
[ May 2, 2007 ]

I am of the opinion that the cell phone service companies should pay the complete refund since it was them that brought the opportunity and possibility to your son to use your cell phone number as a credit card without your advance permission and without the protections that come with credit card use. It is they who have the ability to ruin your credit if you don't pay the bill that they sent you.

I recommend that you file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau Online (bbb.org). It's quick and easy. I know from my own experience that Cingular takes BBB complaints very seriously.

Shame on Cingular Wireless (and all of the wireless service providers) for violating our confidence in them and mistreating us, their customers, just to make an extra buck!

Jamter Scam Editor

Mobile Messenger Scammers

www.mobilemessenger.us These guys have got to be one of the worst offenders... if u go to google or any other site and type in free ringtone, you will be sure to see 50% of the free ringtone advertisements that appear, to be owned by an Australian company called Mobile Messenger or, if not, for sure will be one of Mobile Messenger's customers. They are the guys that have all the delivery technology and the marketing materials that lure people in with the fake ringtone scam. In fact the way that they get this past the carriers like cingular and sprint's approval process, is to use 'stealth web landing pages' and only show the carriers the 'official' landing pages. Then then have hundreds of these pages all over the web luring in consumers that are taking up the free ringtone offer, and only 10% of these pages are actually abiding by Cingular and sprints rules. The consumer then finds out a month later that they have been paying $20 per month for something they never received. Mobile Messenger are the 3rd fastest company in Australia.. and the 2nd biggest company on volumes for these premium txts in the U.S ... We are talking revenues in the hundreds of millions here... They have 3 sales people... and 49 people handling the complaints from angry consumers!!! The ratio does not really add up too well huh??. Here is the number of the CEO, Steve Taylor if anyone wants to ask him why he is running this scam operation +61414 360565. Mqube are also just as bad as these guys... they allow them to get away with it day after day after day...

Marty
[ 20 April 2007 ]

Same Ole Story

I spoke to Cingular wireless about the M-Qube issue and they credited my account and put a "purchase blocker" on all three of my numbers that is supposed to stop all charges without the PIN code they issued to me via e-mail. Also they emailed M-Cube to cancel all subscriptions to my numbers. We'll see if it works. I did find a new link to the M-Cube unsubscribe page however. They have been bought out by Verisign. Try to unsubscribe at http://www.verisign.com/m-qube/support-faqs/index.html#01000002. Something really needs to be done about this. If they were just taking the money from your bank account the FBI would be all over them but what is the difference really? I don't think I would have gotten the same response from my carrier if I hadn't studied all the posts here before calling. Thanks for everyone's help and good luck to all.

Ted
[ April 19, 2007 ]

Class Action Attorneys Investigating Cell Phone Scams

If anyone was charged on their cell phone bill for ringtones, text messages or other mobile content that they never ordered, they may want to contact some class action attorneys. These guys might be able to help: http://www.classactionconnect.com/?q=node/680.

Consumer Rights Activist
[ April 12, 2007 ]

Alltel Helped (I think)

I have been through this for only a month and I'm crazed already. I contacted Alltel many times with nothing but nastiness in return. Today though, I talked to someone who said they would not only remove the charges, but block my number. Hope he's right. I also contact susanmarion@alltel.com and she called me within 15 minutes of receiving my e-mail. Thanks for all the advice from all of you and good luck

Sandy
[ April 3, 2007 ]

Beware 3 Network Users!

I was watching a little bit of TV today when a Jamster ad appeared: FREE TONES!!!! I saw Lips of an Angel by Hinder and thought yeah why not.... IT'S FREE and I like the song. So I sent a message to the appropriate number and low and behold the buggers stung me $5.00 join up fee and a whooping $10.00 a week for membership, which I never knew I was subscribing to. Then I received a message saying I had to download it from the internet site. I'm thinking "well I've paid for it I might as well enjoy my song." When I followed the prompts I was advised that Jamster doesn't even service my network..... WHAT THE HELL WAS I CHARGED FOR? I proceeded to send the stop music message only to have them remind me I've already paid, why cancel? I had offers of more FREE gifts.....and what are they gonna cost me?

feeling the pinch
[ March 27, 2007 ]

Removal of Charges from Bill May Put Your Credit at Risk

I have a Sprint mobile phone account with two lines on it. On my most recent bill there is a "Premium Services" charge of $19.98 for two text chats ($9.99 each). I called Sprint for an explanation of these charges and was told they were from a third party unrelated to Sprint. Sprint gave me the third party's 800 number. (The company is Premium Rate SMS messages 1-800-235-7105.) I explained that while I would attempt to resolve my issue with this third party, if I was unsuccessful I would be back in touch with Sprint since they are the party who is charging me.

I called the third party's 800 number. It sent me in circles twice and then hung up on me. I called Sprint back and told the customer service representative that the 800 number they provided me with was useless so it was up to Sprint to help me resolve this problem. (I am unwilling to pay for something if no one can even tell me what it is I'm paying for—in language I can understand!) The customer service representative put a block on the account to prevent future charges but once again stated that Sprint could do nothing about the current charges. I asked to speak with a supervisor and was then put on hold. The customer service representative returned to the line (after more than 20 minutes on hold) and informed me that the charges were being removed from my Sprint bill.

Because I was still angry about the charges and the lengths I had to go through to get the charges removed from my bill, I placed a call to the Attorney General's office to file a complaint. I was told that while the charge was removed from my phone bill, my mobile carrier will in all likelihood reroute the charge back to the third party for payment. The third party will then turn the unpaid charge over to a collection agency- thus negatively impacting my credit. If I had not called the Attorney General's office I would not have known that these charges may still be active and that creditors may be provided with information indicating that I am delinquent with payment. The moral of this story is: Do not assume victory just because the charges are removed from your bill. Contact your Attorney General to find out what you must do in order to protect yourself and your credit rating.

Angry in CT
[ March 27, 2007 ]

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