My Airtime is disappearing...

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X-Gamer

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Last month I noticed my airtime depleting quite rapidly, but didn't think much about it, since I had been making some calls (I should have paid more attention).

I checked my balance today, R0.53 :wtf:
Recharged with R300 this evening, and checking again now, it's R5 less at R295.03..... SERIOUSLY!!

How do I check if I've been subscribed to anything ????? I am not receiving any subscription services and nor can I find anything on CellC's website about preventing this sort of deductions.:mad:

Really need some help here.

EDIT:
Could these blank SMS' I received have something to do with it? :confused:
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It's can't be an app, since data should be coming from the 900MB free when recharging with R300.

(Data use in the same time period was about 2MB, which sounds about right, Whatsapp/Gmail etc.)
 
X-Gamer said:
It's can't be an app, since data should be coming from the 900MB free when recharging with R300.

(Data use in the same time period was about 2MB, which sounds about right, Whatsapp/Gmail etc.)
Click to expand...

Sounds like an app sending sms's to sub services or premium services?
 
koeksGHT said:
Sounds like an app sending sms's to sub services or premium services?
Click to expand...

I'll check again, but I highly doubt its an app. I don't install random apps, and the ones I do have are from reputable companies...I hope.

EDIT: I think its a rogue Subscription service, only problem is finding a way to "unsubscribe" :(
 
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Call CellC to find out where the money is going, I am sure they are at a position to locate the company. You'll then take it up with the company to find out how to unsubscribe.
 
Check the popular subscription sites, they are basically all linked together in one subscription service
 
Quite likely a subscription (content) service. Call the call centre. They will you the WASP and their telephone number. The WASP (probably Mira, Integrat or Opera) will tell you the actual company that is routing billing requests through the WASP to the Cell C. The WASP will be able to unsubscribe you. Get a proof of subscription from them to see if you actually did (be it not quite knowingly) subscribed.
 
Last time I had subscription services on a CellC phone I just logged into the client portal and viewed the SMS history. You will see a WASP service name listed as well.

From that I was able to trace down the problem.

@Ajax As from end of month CellC will be implementing double-opt in.
 
cbrunsdonza said:
@Ajax As from end of month CellC will be implementing double-opt in.
Click to expand...
Not a moment too soon!

Echo what he also said about logging in. Go to MyAccount and then do a call history search. It will be listed under "Other". The WASP S will be listed as "MIRA", "OPERA" or "INTEG" or maybe something else, and maybe a one or 2 numerical characters.

If you have been registered under MyTools you would also be able to see the contents of all smses. You could e.g. search for something like "Welcome" or "subscribed" to see if you received any "Welcome" messages from a WASP.
 
Thanks for all the input thus far, I called Cell C and they confirmed that I recharged with R300, and then R5 was deducted by a WASP service.

The agent gave me the following numbers I can use to unsubscribe:
mira: SMS 'STOP' to 43635
dialogue: SMS 'STOP' to 33299
011 476 7710, the Head office of "WASP" she could not explain what exactly this head office was, but I should call them to explain.

I just received ANOTHER blank SMS, and my balance is R5 lower...R290.03

Sent those STOP SMS's now, did not receive any reply, just hope it works.
 
ajax said:
cbrunsdonza said:
@Ajax As from end of month CellC will be implementing double-opt in.
Click to expand...
Not a moment too soon!

Echo what he also said about logging in. Go to MyAccount and then do a call history search. It will be listed under "Other". The WASP S will be listed as "MIRA", "OPERA" or "INTEG" or maybe something else, and maybe a one or 2 numerical characters.

If you have been registered under MyTools you would also be able to see the contents of all smses. You could e.g. search for something like "Welcome" or "subscribed" to see if you received any "Welcome" messages from a WASP.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I was trying to get that sort of info from the Cell C MyTools thing!

The last deductions :
DIALOGUEM00500 Other 23/11/2013 16:44 Content Services 5.00 1 Times PrepaidBalanceSubaccount=R5.00; PrepaidBalanceSubaccount=R290.03; 0.00

MIRA010 Other 22/11/2013 21:25 Content Services 5.00 1 Times PrepaidBalanceSubaccount=R5.00; PrepaidBalanceSubaccount=R295.03; 0.00

I rarely use this number for calls, just the data (Wifi at home and work), But man I'm stupid, how could I not have noticed this before... :(

Checking the SMS logs on my phone:
I sent a STOP message to 34340 on the 9th of September, just thought it was some spam thing.
Then on the 12th of September, I receive an SMS containing an adult content link (global-girlsx.co.za...) which I sent to my SMS Spam folder (I assumed its of an adult nature), never received it again so didn't think anything about it. Those are the only things I can see which are related to any sort of Content services, nothing else was received.

From the 13th of September, Mira started charging R5 per day.
From the 14th of November, Dialogue started charging R5 per day (except the 19th,21st of Nov).
In Total R385: 70 times by Mira (R350); and 7 times by Dialogue(R35).

Called 086 110 MIRA (6472) and and followed the prompts to UNSUBSCRIBE. Received a confirmation SMS. Going to request proof that I subscribed, hopefully a refund too.

But these Dialogue people, http://www.dialogue.net/ even have a FB page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dialogue/134708789994314. People are asking why they are being charged!:mad:
 
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abzo said:
How do you view what you're subscribed to on Vodacom?
Click to expand...

It shows under 'my something services' on the portal. It's one of the options on the left hand side. You can actually unsubscribe directly from the portal.
 
Well f***

Its pretty scary how easily this goes on and how few people know about it, let alone how to stop it.
 
Mira has thankfully stopped, will contact them tomorrow about this whole mess, hopefully get my money back.

BUT Dialogue just sent another blank SMS and stole another R5 from me. No mention of how to stop it from their webpage or their FB page. :mad:
Their offices are in Bellville somewhere... Wonder what they will do if i show up at their door? :whistle:


R13... said:
It shows under 'my something services' on the portal. It's one of the options on the left hand side. You can actually unsubscribe directly from the portal.
Click to expand...

That's an awesome tool from Vodacom. I wonder if CellC will implement something like that when their Double Opt-in service comes into effect?
 
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Found a number for Dialogue mobile here:

office:021 914 5964
"customer" care: 0861 009 903
customercare.sa at dialogue.net

Perhaps the "customer" care number has an unsubscribe option by just punching in your cell no.
 
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