Blinko Tried—Verizon Conquered
I just reviewed my bill and noticed a $9.99 download charge from Blinko. I immediately called Verizon and explained to them that I did not even know who this company was until I went online. The customer service rep was very helpful. She not only gave me credit for the $9.99, but said "We're looking into this."
aj9064
[ June 29, 2006 ]
Blinko, DadaMobile, and Verizon
My most recent VerizonWireless bill had $45 in charges from Blinko and DadaMobile (thanks to the ignorance of my 13 year old daughter). I called Verizon customer service who explained the charges to me, but said they couldn't do anything because the 3rd party services were authorized through a double opt-in process. They said I would have to dispute the charges with the 3rd party billers.
After reading the posts on this board, I got smart on the issue and called Verizon again with similar results. I then asked to speak with the supervisor, who agreed to remove the Blinko charges because they couldn't prove we double opted-in, but the DadaMobile charges remained. Apparently, Verizon has had a falling out with Blinko, so, unlike other 3rd party billers, it may be easier to get Verizon to remove Blinko charges. But, I was still pissed that Verizon condoned this 3rd party billing practice, so I sent the following email to VerizonWireless CEO, Dennis Strigl using these email addresses:
StrigDe@HQ.VerizonWireless.com; and
dennis.strigl@verizonwireless.com.
Dear Sir,
I request that Verizon Wireless refund the $9.99 charged to my account for fees associated with DadaMobile. After several phone calls to your customer service center in Tampa, I spoke with a supervisor named Cedric who agreed to refund $35.94 in similar charges from Blinko. But, he explained that he could not refund the DadaMobile charges because they used a double opt-in process to ensure the subscription to their service is legitimate. The problem I have with this response is that it was my 13 year old daughter who "opted-in" to DadaMobile on her phone (xxx-xxx-xxxx) without my consent. This 3rd party billing practice is sleazy and Verizon does nothing to discourage it. Instead, you facilitate the practice and wash your hands of any liability while collecting your percentage of the 3rd party fee. In effect, you enable children to incur charges to their parent's accounts without restriction. The more I learn about this practice, the more disgusted I get. I urge Verizon to take immediate action to install safeguards to ensure that 3rd party subscriptions are authorized in advance by the adult whose name is on the account (e.g. by requiring a credit card instead of billing to the Verizon account). Failure to do so will eventually prompt lawsuits that will come back to bite Verizon and other cell phone companies in the behind. While I am grateful to the service provided by Cedric and his decision to refund the Blinko charges, I will not consider this issue to be satisfactorily resolved until Verizon also refunds the $9.99 charge by DadaMobile. I am giving Verizon one last chance to do the right thing and refund these unethical fees. Thank You.
I highly doubt the email ever got to Mr. Strigl, but I got a phone call from Verizon the very next morning apologizing profusely and agreeing to remove all 3rd party charges. We also blocked the data download feature on my daughter's phone to prevent this from happening again. Good luck.
Raynman
[ June 28, 2006 ]
Blinko
Just reading the stories here and am feeling a bit relieved that I am not the only one that has been ripped off by the Blinko scam. Your stories gave me ammunition to contact the BBB here in my neck of the woods (south Florida) about this lame company, Blinko. My experience is identical to the ones below. I've requested a refund and they have refused.I'll write back and share the details of the outcome.
Mike C
[ June 28, 2006 ]
Blinko
For anyone who might be skeptical about teenagers who swear they didn't subscribe to anything, let me tell you that it happens to adults too. I had never heard of BLINKO until last Sunday when I received a text message from them telling me I had subscribed to their service. I messaged STOP like it said to in order to unsubscribe, and contacted the company to inform them that I had not asked for this, and to confirm there were no charges on my phone. Today I got an email telling me that they had already charged my phone, but they would refund me in 4-6 weeks. It's pretty crappy that I've got to wait 4-6 weeks to receive a refund for a service I didn't ask for, want, or use. My husband has contacted the Better Business Bureau because we find these business practices to be unacceptable.
Cassie
[ June 27, 2006 ]
Blinko Scam
My son of 13 did have a charge of $9.99 from a company called Blinko. I did ask him what was that and he had no idea. He knew NOT to download anything or he would be responsible for it. He did tell me that one day he was texted several times within minutes apart. Finally, around the last time, he texted "stop texting me" with some bad language that was still in his out box.
I contacted Verizon and they told me it was a company called Blinko. Verizon informed me to go online and have my number removed as well as discuss the charges. I called the number she gave and it got me no where. I went online and pursued it that way and here it goes"
From: Dawn
Sent: Saturday, April 22, 2006 1:28 PM
To: care@blinko.com
Subject: Charge
To Whom It May Concern,
The number in question is 847-000-0000. Your company texted this phone asking if we wanted to subscribe and we texted back "NO". Can you please tell me why we still got charged $9.99?? I am very upset about this.
Dawn O
To: "'Dawn O
Subject: Blinko Customer Care
Date: Sun, 23 Apr 2006 01:54:49 -0500
Dear Customer,
We have deleted mobile number 847-000-0000 from our Horoscope subscription service. As a subscriber to horoscope from Blinko you receive 5 text messages for the horoscope of your choice a week for only $9.99/ month. Please refer to the ad or to www.blinko.com. The Horoscope subscription service has a minimum term of one month.
Regards,
Mischa Brown
Blinko Customer Care
OK, what teenager would subscribe to a horoscope? Please. And the text messages was us saying "stop". Then the next email:
Date: Sun, 23 Apr 2006 08:30:52 -0700 (PDT)
From: Dawn O
Subject: Re: Blinko Customer Care
To: care@blinko.com
I am not satisfied with your response. We did not subscribe. Your company texted us several times and we texted back "NO". Why am I still getting charged? I would like to be credited back the $9.99.
Sincerely,
Dawn O
Blinko Customer Care wrote:
Dear Customer,
You have successfully deleted +18470000000 from Horoscope services. You will not continue to receive billed messages each month. Your download experience is important to us. We will make every possible effort to resolve the problem you are having so that you may enjoy your high quality download. In order to better assist you please include your ten-digit mobile no. in all future correspondence.
Regards,
Vicky Evans
Blinko Customer Care
From: "Blinko Customer Care"
To: Dawn O
Subject: Blinko Customer Care
Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2006 00:42:58 -0500
Dear Customer, We have deleted mobile number +18470000000 from Horoscope services. We cannot reverse billing activity prior to the cancellation of this service. However, you will not continue to receive billed messages each month. We apologize for the inconvenience. In order to better assist you please include your ten digit mobile no. in all future correspondence. Your download experience is important to us. We will make every possible effort to resolve the problem you are having so that you may enjoy your high quality download.
Regards,
Mischa Brown
Blinko Customer Care
What do you mean you cannot reverse billing? Yea right, I am not going to stand this so the emails continued.
From: Dawn O
Sent: Monday, April 24, 2006 2:58 PM
To: care@blinko.com
Subject: Re: Blinko Customer Care
Hello......There was no activity!!! Your company texted us and we said NO. We did NOT text Blinko first, you texted us if we wanted a membership. You can reverse billing! If not, I will contact BBB and Attorney General and will file with courts!!!
Dawn O
847-000-0000
From: "Blinko Customer Care" Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
Subject: Blinko Customer Care
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2006 07:07:24 -0400
Dear Customer,
Thank you for contacting Blinko Customer Care. We are currently investigating your specific issue, and will be contacting you shortly to follow-up. In order to better assist you please include your ten-digit mobile no. in all future correspondence.
Regards,
Jessica George
Blinko Customer Care
Now I am getting very upset.
From: "Blinko Customer Care" Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
To: Dawn O
Subject: Blinko Customer Care
Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2006 02:19:11 -0400
Dear Customer,
The user subscribed to the (Horoscope) service on (2006-03-17) during the confirmation process the user was sent a PIN Code to their mobile and the user entered the PIN code that was sent to their mobile in the space provided to confirm their subscription. Please see below the subscription:- We at Blinko appreciate your business and would like to offer you a refund of $5 (50% of the charges) for +18470000000, which is the maximum amount we can offer, since we have already incurred transport fees, licensing and billing charges for these services. Please send us your name and complete address and we will process this refund immediately. You should receive the refund within 4 to 6 weeks. Please note that we only interact with consumers that respond to online advertisement, TV or print campaigns. We value you as a customer and would like to be your provider of high quality mobile services in the future; however, our policy is to refund those that are not satisfied with our service. Please note that all charges have been taken into account even if they haven't appeared on your billing statement yet. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope that you have a great day.
Regards,
Sheryl Ervin
Blinko Customer Care
Have a great day??? I just want my money and not to deal with you!!
Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2006 11:02:33 -0700 (PDT)
From: Dawn O
Subject: Re: Blinko Customer Care
To: care@blinko.com
Dear Customer Care,
We are requesting the full amount. The information provided does not show anything to me other than activity several times within minutes on the same day. We texted "NO" and "Stop" on that day. Your company texted us first and several times which I should charged you! Again, if I do not see the full amount refunded I will contact The Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General.
Dawn Olson
847-000-0000
From: "Blinko Customer Care" Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
To: Dawn O
Subject: Blinko Customer Care
Date: Sat, 29 Apr 2006 08:51:39 -0400
Dear Customer,
Thank you for contacting Blinko Customer Care, and for giving us your feedback on this issue. We regret that the product's resolution was not to your satisfaction. We will notify the customer service agent that reviewed your issue, and he or she will be contacting you concerning your email. In order to better assist you please include your ten-digit mobile no: in all future correspondence . Your download experience is important to us, and we hope that you may continue to enjoy your high quality download.
Regards,
Sarah Parker
Blinko Customer Care
OK with this bull crap....
From: "Blinko Customer Care" Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
To: Dawn O
Subject: Blinko Customer Care
Date: Sun, 30 Apr 2006 02:25:14 -0400
Dear Customer,
Thank you for contacting Blinko Customer Care. We have investigated your issue for +18470000000 and will refund the amount you have been charged ($9.99). Please reply to this e-mail with your full name and address of where you want the refund sent. Please allow 4-6 weeks for refund to be processed. We apologize for the inconvenience. Please note that we only interact with consumers that respond to online advertisement, TV or print campaigns. We value you as a customer and would like to be your provider of high quality mobile services in the future; however, our policy is to refund those that are not satisfied with our service. Please note that all charges have been taken into account even if they haven't appeared on your billing statement yet. We apologize for the inconvenience and hope that you have a great day
Regards,
Sheryl Ervin
Blinko Customer Care
Finally, but do you really think I would consider dealing with this company. Stop advertising your business in these emails and STOP saying "have a great day" it just makes me more pissed off!!!
Date: Mon, 12 Jun 2006 13:34:28 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Dawn O
Subject: Re: Blinko Customer Care
To: care@blinko.com
Dear Blinko,
To this day we still have not received a credit. Please refund as soon as possible or I will proceed to contact BBB and the attorney general.
Dawn O
IL 60005 847-000-0000 home
847-000-0000 cell in question
From: "Blinko Customer Care" Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
To: "'Dawn O
Subject: Blinko Customer Care
Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2006 06:53:01 -0400
Dear Customer, Thank you for providing us your address information. We will process this request as soon as possible.Once again, we apologize for the inconvenience and hope you have a great day! In order to better assist you please include your ten-digit mobile no. in all future correspondence.
Regards,
Jessy Fernandes
Blinko Customer Care
Today is Saturday, June 24 2006 and I have the check. It was confusing at first because it was from Buongiorno USA Inc., 235 Lincoln Rd., Ste. 400, Miami, FL 33139 and no description. So, I went online (thank heaven for the internet) and Googled the name and the info I found was that it was connected to BLINKO. I found this site and wanted to tell all to continue to get your money back. Good Luck to ALL.
Dawn
[ June 24, 2006 ]
Sprint Acknowledges That I Did Not Order Service But Does Not Follow Up
I have 4 phones with sprint and thus did not even notice the extra fraudulent charges until I discovered the problem last month. 42222 Ringtones Buongiorno 7.99. Sprint credited the ONE instance and said they could not tell me who or how I was subscribed. I'm going back and finding more charges on my older bills.
Joe Duck
[ June 24, 2006 ]
Verizon/Blinko Fraud Practices
I've just been reading over many of the stories on this web page. There is strength in numbers! It is obvious that all the phone carriers are allowing/perpetrating these scams and fraudulent practices because they make money off of us. Imagine the number of people who are simply paying their bills because they don't notice the additional charges or don't question them. We all need to contact our state representatives and ask them to look at the laws that are in place or investigate these billing practices.
Here's my story.... In April we purchased a new cell phone plan in Mass. for my 13 year old daughter. In less than 2 hours after receiving the phone, before we had even left the mall and before she had made a single call on the phone, she began to receive "dumb blonde" jokes via txt messaging. I found them to be offensive in content and was angry that such a thing could happen without our consent. The explanation provided by Verizon was that the privious owner of the tel. number must have subscribed and once the number was activated the subscription continued. I accepted that explanation but I personally believe this happens because Verizon allows it to happen. Technology can certainly prevent this.
Several days later my daughter informed me that she received a text message inviting her to join some other promotion. She knows how I felt about the previous encounter. We had talked about the rules for using the phone and these additional promotions and she told me that she did not subscribe. I was upset that advertisers and marketers were able to contact my 13-year old daughter at will and try to manipulate her purchasing decisions. NO ONE should have that kind of access to a child with a device that enables the child to make purchasing decisions in the palm of their hand without consent of a parent. I called Verizon and told them to cancel ALL text messaging and further told them how angry I was about this. Lo and behold, on my next bill, in May, there was a txt message charge of 10 cents and a $9.99 charge for downloads. No additional information was listed. I had no idea what was downloaded.
When I called Verizon the first customer service rep actually hung up on me (I was angry to begin with, now I was livid). I called another customer service rep later. He finally acknowledged that his copy of the bill showed the charges to be from BLINKO.COM and that they had received over 4000 complaints against BLINKO's billing charges. I have refused to pay these charges and he told me that they are under investigation. After reading everyone else's messages I'll bet that nothing will be done and I'll see these charges appear on my next bill. Can all of you imagine what would happen if all of those 4000 people had called their state representatives about these fraudulent practices?!!! We need to start doing this today!! Please call your government representatives and send them letters!!
Doug Fodeman
[ June 15, 2006 ]
Cingular and M-Cube—DOES FRAUD PAY? Evidently—YES
The whole thing started when I added a phone to the family plan for my youngest son. The charges for downloads from Jamster started before the phone even shipped. Month after month after month after month this has continued. First it was Jamster, who turned into Verisign, who has turned into M-Cube.
The phone's ability to receive or send downloads was blocked after the first month. But according to Cingular that doesn't stop the other company from sending the downloads—so I'm supposed to be liable for services never rendered. Flat out demands for no 3rd party billing on my phone (its a phone—not a credit card), are completely ignored. I have filed complaints 2X with FCC and once with the Texas Attorney General's office. It has succeeded in getting the charges removed, but not stopping the problem.
I just had my latest screaming match with Cingular today. I want the phone canceled and for them to eat the contract charges since they are the ones fronting this harassment. They refuse. I spoke with FCC again. They say as long as the charges are removed, I've suffered no economic damage and they can't file on my behalf—no economic damage? What about sleepless nights, what about frustration, what about the time spent being so angry I could spit? They did say however, that Cingular can and should be blocking all 3rd party billing.
You have to wonder, why won't they? Perhaps because there is money to be made in phone cancellation charges? I mean at this point, they get more if I break the contract than if I pay them the $9.95 extra line charge for the duration of the contract. Does fraud pay? Why is the FCC and our federal and state agencies permitting these practices to continue—obviously, it's paying somebody. I am actively surfing the web for class-action lawsuits to join and if anyone knows a good attorney in Texas and wants to start a class-action here with me, let me know (skdot3@myway.com). It's a serious proposition.
SDotson
skdot3@myway.com
[ June 13, 2006 ]
Blinko
I did the same thing. I received a pop-up for a free ring tone. I thought it would be nice for my daughter to have some hip music to answer her phone to. I filled out all the FREE info, but when I added her number it told me her phone was not eligible for a ring tone. Well, I figured no loss, I didn't have to pay anything. Next thing you know my daughter's cell is receiving lengthy text messages—2-3 a day. I called Blinko's automated service and removed her number, also called Verizon! I think it's horrible that companies are permitted to scam us like that, and for the companies we use all the time not to send warnings! From reading these stories, Verizon and other companies are aware of this but are still letting it happen.
Michele
[ June 9, 2006 ]
42222 and Verizon
My daughter's (she's 12) phone started receiving messages from 422-22. She had not downloaded or gotten any ringtones from the web. I called tech support at Verizon and they didn't know what I was talking about—this was a couple months ago. The messages recently had stopped but I noticed 9.99 charges on my bill— for April—there were 2 charges. I called Verizon Encore customer support who put me in touch with Verizon Wireless customer support who knew exactly what I was talking about. While on phone, he called number for Blinko (800-971-2271) and unsubscribed her phone number and then credited my Verizon account $50.00 for the past charges and in case any others come thru.
Jane
[ June 6, 2006 ]
The following story isn't about a ring tone scam, but has enough in common with the scams that it warrants reading. It has deception, outrageous overcharges, bad customer service, and the threat of bills going to a collection agency and ruining one's credit. Who knows, this might be the next big scam!
— JS Editor
Cingular's 30 Day Free Media Net "Scam"
I was a customer of Cingular's for 2 1/2 years, when I received my "you are eligible for a phone upgrade" notice. This really means that your contract is up and they need you to sign a new one. Anyways, I fell for it, and was promised 2 new Motorola v551's for free and verbally agreed to a new 2 year contract. After dealing with double shipping charges, and 3 trips to my local FedEx station, I finally received my phones. About 3 weeks into my first month of new contract, I called and inquired about Media Net access and prices. I was told I was eligible for 30 days free Media Net and that it would be activated. I couldn't be happier.
So I began using Media Net and for the first few days, I was paranoid of charges, so I kept checking my account balance page just to be sure. There were no charges as of yet, so I continued using. after about 5 or 6 days I stopped checking my account balance feeling comfortable. I continued to use Media Net, for exactly 30 days from the day I "activated" it. during this time, I received my first month bill, which had no extra charges on it other than the double shipping charges, which were credited on the same page.
When I received my second month's bill, I knew something was wrong even before I opened it because it was in an 8 1/2" x 11" envelope and was very heavy. there were 65 pages of Media Net activity, all with individual rates and charges adding up to over $900. I was furious. I called Cingular immediately and was informed that because I activated my free Media Net 3 weeks into my first month, I actually only had 1 week of free Media Net. I got more furious. After asking to speak with several supervisors getting the same reply, I was told to submit my problem in writing. So I did. I have received nothing from them other than service termination notices due to unpaid bill. I have told them verbally, and in writing that I refuse to pay, I WILL NOT PAY.
In my letter I pointed out that I was a good customer for almost 3 years, and that looking at my past bills, which were all nearly identical amounts under $100, that it should be obvious there was something wrong. I have started receiving notices from a collection agency already regarding this. I told them the same thing, I WILL NOT PAY THAT BILL! So I no longer have a cell phone, but that's okay, I WILL NOT PAY THAT BILL!
Michael
[ May 27, 2006 ]
Blinko/Verizon
Unlike some of the other people here, I thought I was getting a free ringtone by signing up on the Blinko website. I was taken to their site by clicking on a "get a free ringtone" button for what they said was a Doctor Who tone. After receiving a txt message saying I needed to enter a code to get my bonus content, I got a second txt message saying I was subscribed and the fee was $9.99 per month. I immediately cancelled it, but when I got my Verizon bill I was charged the $9.99 fee. So I contacted Verizon who said they can't (or won't) take it off because the subscription required a txt reply from my phone to activate. So I have just sent an email to Blinko to see about gettng a refund. I blocked txt messaging from my cell phone while I was on the phone with Verizon, so we'll see if I get either my refund or antoher charge.
Michael
[ May 26, 2006 ]
Sprint Has Failed Me
Basically, I thought I was getting a ringtone for free and somehow my bill went from the usual $40 or so to nearly $90 from one ringtone. I blocked all internet connections to my phone, but I'm nervous that that won't be enough. Ugh!
Natalie
[ May 25, 2006 ]
Blinko.com
I mistakenly went to blinko.com. On a free site it told me to enter my phone number and pass code just to look at the site, and the next thing I know I'm getting charged $5.99 every two weeks. And now it is getting worse—they taged my phone 4 days apart. I have called my carrier and they tried to help, but it does no good. Someone need to stop them!
Scammed
[ May 25, 2006 ]
Bull****
A pop-up came up that said "free ringtone," so I, of course clicked on it. I had to choose what astrology sign I am and put in my phone number. After I did that, I realized my Cingular phone didn't even have internet access on my phone but I still gotten charged...last month it was around $60, and this month it was around $25. (The only reason I know it was blinko.com is because I looked up "sender:42222" on the internet and found this website.)
I read the fine print. It said a $9.99 fee might be charged. Nothing about a goddamn subscription. I am pissed. I don't want to be one of these people that has to call Cingular more than a few times just for this bullshit. You should be able to do the "unsubscribe" thing without all this! I dont know what to do....
Kat
[ May 23, 2006 ]
Project Zola (Answers)
For five months I was charged for this Project Zola and just figured it was the internet, so I just stayed off of the internet but I kept getting charged for Project Zola. I called T-Mobile and asked why I was getting charged for this Project and I was told that it was the games on my phone. Even if I had paid the games off I was still charged each month for these games. In order to get rid of Project Zola you have to call in and say that you don't want the games anymore. Hope this helped...
Denise
[ May 20, 2006 ]
Finally Got My Refund
I finally got my refund from Blinko, but the cheque is from "Buongiorno USA, INC" 235 Lincoln Rd, Suite 400, Miami Beach, FL 33139. I sent quite a few e-mails to blinko to chase for my refund, so now I got it. Good luck to all of you.
Bibi
[ May 18, 2006 ]
Another Blinko/Sprint Victim
When I contacted Sprint Customer service with a complaint about an additional charge of $9.99 on my kids' phones and a $3.99 ringtone down load. When confronted, both kids denied any knowledge of the website "Blinko.com" or denied downloading a ringtone. The phones cannot be used to text or access the internet. Not only did the customer service refuse to help resolve the issue, they also accused my kids of lying about the service. I do not appreciate being treated that way and I guess if Sprint's technology is as good as it claims they would have known about this scam. Sorry Sprint you failed me.
Rhonda
[ May 18, 2006 ]
Sprint PCS at Its Best To Provide Heartache to Its Customers
I was reviewing my bill yesterday and noticed a charge of $9.99 for two of my phones and a ringtone for $3.99. I questioned my kids and neither one knows how to text message and one phone has its Vision service discontinued at Sprint. I called customer service and got the total run around and was told that a person had to use the phone to text message to start the "Blinko" service. Not true. Anyone can go to their site and put a random phone number in and start the service and guess what—right, you get a $9.99 charge on your next bill.
So after a long hour of trying to convince customer service that my kids did not start this service, there was still no resolution—customer service said to call Blinko and ask for a refund. Yeah right as if that will happen. I even called the number that customer service had and the service was no longer in service— go figure that one. So right now I am using information gathered here and am sending it to Sprint every chance I get to overwhelm their customer service dept. I hope others do the same as this is an injustice of service by Sprint.
D
[ May 18, 2006 ]
Blinko Scam & Verizon Help
I noticed a download service of $9.99 on my phone bill. I called Verizon and they gave me a number to contact. However, I kept them on the phone and told them that I did not authorize any of this and they removed it immediately. Then to ensure that it does not happen again, I blocked all downloads on all 4 phones I have. Next I called Blinko Premium Services at 1-866-784-7712. This is an automated phone service. Listen closely to remove your number from their banks. You will actually have to confirm this at the end of the message as well.
Alethea
[ May 17, 2006 ]
Blinko Charges on Sprint Phone
Thanks to Google I realized I am not alone in getting scammed! A few months ago I started getting $9.99 charges on my bill for some Blinko service. I never authorized this service. I cant even use ring tones on my phone since my model phone is 6 years old!!! I have emailed Sprint customer service every month, and all they do is credit the $9.99, but the charges keep appearing on the next bill. This is getting very frustrating and Sprint customer service has not been much help.
Mike
[ May 15, 2006 ]
m-Qube Subscriptions
I work for Cingular Wireless as a call center representative and I hear my customers complain day after day how they are slammed with charges from 3rd party for these subscriptions they don't even know they downloaded. It finally happened to me, I downloaded one game to my wireless phone from Cingular's media net and ended up getting signed up on a subscription for 29.99 per month. I have no idea what the subscription is for or what I get for it! When I tried to challenge the charge on Cingular's Media Net set it was denied. What Cingular doesn't want you to know is that if you call in and speak with a customer service representative and that rep challenges the charges they will get approved every time! When a customer challenges the charge on the Cingular web site they are more than likely going to be denied! This type of practice is a scam and has to be stopped. I have done everything in my power as a Cingular employee to challenge these 3rd party charges for my customers because this is not right! I think everyone that reads this needs to call in to their wireless provider and complain until something is done!!!
Amy
[ May 12, 2006 ]
Tough Lil Bulldog!
Last year October I saw an ad on TV to download a free ringtone. It was a pretty nice ringtone and I decided to get onto the internet and send it to my phone. Got on to Jamster's web site and saw the promotion for a free ringtone. I followed instructions. A message came to my phone saying that I am not Wap enabled and that I need to contact my service provider. This sounded like too much effort and so I left it.
Unbeknown to me, I was subscribed to a $10 per week service from then on. They did not tell me this. I am on Pay as you Go and usually I would recharge with a voucher for $30 every month or so. No way—not any more! I kept getting these text messages saying that the TXT transaction failed and that I was not charged for this particular message. This message was delivered to me twice a day. I thought it was an error but was happy once I recharged as this message stopped for a week or two. I thought it was an undelivered message that I may have sent. This went on for months.
A week ago, I received a message: "Free Reminder> FREE GIFT 4 U! Reply DOG for tough lil bulldog. UR subscribed to Jamster for $10/week. Or text APPLE for cool wallpaper. Help:1300728277 Sender: 194000." Only now did I realize why I spent so much money on recharging for nothing! I only thought there was a problem this year when I did not use my phone—the end of last year accounted for many calls and text messages due to the festive season.
I am very disappointed! I went on to Jamster's web page and typed unsubscribe in the search field and it came up with a silly suggestion to try to use another word as there are no results found for this word. Now I'm thinking what a scam this is. I tried to unsubscribe with 'STOP' to 88888 and the text did not go through. Did you know that they do not waive any amounts that build up? I did not recharge my phone for 6 weeks and they deducted $60 when I recharged! I am so angry with them! I think we should join forces and take them by the horns! Any suggestions?
Candz
[ 9 May 2006 ]
"Blinko" Equals "Scammo"
I was bored one day and played one of the Flash games online, which opened to a popup for "free" ringtones from "Blinko." Like an idiot I put in my cell number, not realizing that this is all these people need to charge $9.99 per month to my Verizon bill.
The real kicker: I never downloaded a single ringtone! How in the world is this even possible?!?!
Anyway, I called Verizon customer support; the customer service girl let me listen as she called Blinko's 800 number to disenroll me from their wonderful "service" and then she kindly removed the charge from my bill. If I hadn't paid close attention, I wouldn't have caught this charge. I wonder how many unsuspecting people have been blindsided by this?!
Brandon
[ May 9, 2006 ]
M-Qube.com- Katazo.com- Ringaza.com ????
I have a $900 wireless bill due to M-qube, katazo, or ringaza. I'm not sure who I'm dealing with. My son and his girlfriend signed up for these service via the internet without fully understanding the terms of the agreement. I couldn't understand where the charges were coming from.
I had temporarily suspended wireless service on his phone because he gave his girlfriend his mobile to use in the Bahamas, and he was making monthly payments. But the total was going up three times what he was paying. I was being charged over $120 month. I contacted my Cingular, and they sent me a print out of every charge from m-Qube, Inc with Txt messaging: support@katazo.com.
There is 6-7 $.53 charges daily every month. I e-mailed m-Qube, and they said I would need to contact Katazo, or Ringaza. Well Katazo said they would send me a check for the past 2 months of $23.92. That doesn't come close to the amount owed. I'm a single parent of two, and I cannot pay this outrageous bill. I'm totally confused and don't know who to call. I'm frustrated at e-mails back and forth.......help!
Boiling Mad In NC
[ May 8, 2006 ]
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