Possible new scam

B

bboy

Expert Member
Joined
Jan 21, 2005
Messages
3,237
Reaction score
6
Well I got the following sms

"I know God will not give me anything I cant' handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so mcuh. To opt-out, SMS STOP to 42098"

I reckon the charge on 42098 is quite large and thats the scam, cant find any info on this on the net tho.
 
oh, came from phone number +2782 002 5520
 
The 4xxxx numbers have been re-rated and opt-out messages may not cost more than R2 (most are actually 50c to R1).

Just tested the longcode and its rated at R2, the shortcode is rated at 50c
 
It still boggles my mind why I should pay for something I never wanted in the first place.
 
evilstebunny said:
It still boggles my mind why I should pay for something I never wanted in the first place.
Click to expand...

Sadly in the industry there will always be companies that do this. Gets us at it tarnishes the image of the industry and they only ever have to do this once to the consumer, like you, to believe the whole industry is unethical.

Best is to follow up with WASPA.org (oh and just send that unsubscribe SMS, services like these are often subscription based and will attempt to bill you)
 
Omg just got an SMS from this number... I never get spam! :mad:

"The way to happiness includes being on good terms with One's parents or those who brought on up. To opt-out, SMS STOP to 42098"
 
I also received an SMS with a bible verse and SMS STOP to 42098 (free).

I registered a complaint with WASPA:

Complaint #10904 (lodged via the WASPA website):

Full_Name: Enrico Goosen

Cellular: xxx

Alternate_Contact_Number: xxx

Email: xxx

PhysicalAddress: xxx

PostalAddress: xxx

PostCode: xxx

Affiliations: I am not employed by, or otherwise associated with one of WASPA\'s member companies

Affiliation_Information:

WASPName:

OtherID: 42098

Code_Breached: SPAM section.

Detailed_Description_Complaint: I have received a couple of SMSes with bible text and a message to opt out by sending STOP to 42098.
Please tell me who this short code is registered to.

Tick_as_appropriate: I am unable to determine who the service provider is

Declaration_Good_Faith: Information provided is true and correct and provided in good faith

where_hear_about_waspa: google

send: send


Sent by 66.8.102.98 (66.8.102.98)
 
I received a response from WASPA today:

Dear Enrico Goosen,

A request has been logged on your behalf on the WASPA unsubscribe system. It will now be sent to the WASPA member or members who operate the subscription services indicated.

The reference number for your request is: #642043

If you want to check the status of your unsubscribe request on the WASPA system, please visit the following link:

- http://www.waspa.org.za/unsub/status.php

You will need to provide the above reference number, and the mobile number associated with the unsubscribe request.

Please allow five working days for resolution of this request.

If you have any questions or comments, or if you need any assistance, please contact the WASPA team using the <[email protected]> address.

WASPA Secretariat

When I logged into the WASPA system to check the status of my request, I saw that 42098 is registered to Computek.
I'm not sure why they haven't been reprimanded for this underhanded activity.

I'll investigate further...
 
Response from WASPA:

Dear Enrico Goosen

Since your unsubscribe request was not resolved using the informal process, it has now been escalated to a formal complaint against HR Computek and will now be handled using the formal complaint procedure in section 14.3 of the WASPA Code of Conduct.

Accordingly:

- The WASPA member against whom this complaint has been lodged will
be informed of the complaint, and given five working days to
respond.
- After five working days, notwithstanding any response from the
WASPA member concerned, the complaint will be assigned to an
adjudicator for review, and if upheld, determination of
appropriate sanctions.
- Once the adjudicator has determined whether there has been a
breach of the Code, and any sanctions, you will be provided with
a copy of the adjudicator's report.

If you have any questions regarding the Code of Conduct or the
complaints procedure, please address your queries to
<[email protected]>.

Warm regards,
WASPA Secretariat
 
Response from Computek:

Good day

We received your complaint from WASPA on this number which was billed an amount of R6. We had an error on our system and are have resolved it since. We are going to refund you. Please advise as to if the number in question is pre-paid or a contract. May we send you a voucher? Your number has been barred from our system and will no longer receive anything from our client.

Kind Regards,
Emmanuel. T. Chiunda.
Operations Manager: Mobile Solutions
Tel +27 11 312 6982
Fax +27(0)865053121
Cel +27 78 22 00 209
[email protected]
www.computek.co.za
 
It seems to me, that WASPs can just spam people, and if someone takes action by logging a complaint with WASPA, the WASP can just turn around and say sorry we had an "error" on our system.
Very lame!
 
They should be made to pay 10 times what they charged by "Mistake". That will make them think twice before another "Mistake" happens.
 
Responses from Computek:

We have an overseas based client who is running such a service and do not know how they acquired their database

Ta!
E. T. Chiunda.
Tel +27 11 312 6982
Fax +27(0)865053121
Cel +27 78 22 00 209
[email protected]
www.computek.co.za

----------------------------------------

We have closed the client account and will no longer do business with them. Yes we have had a number of complains and are reimbursing end users, yes it has put a dent on our image. May we send you a recharge voucher to compensate you for this? Kindly accept our humble apologies

Ta!
E. T. Chiunda.
Tel +27 11 312 6982
Fax +27(0)865053121
Cel +27 78 22 00 209
[email protected]
www.computek.co.za
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X