scam, at&t-assisted

[LinCurCook]

Can you please forward this note to someone at AT&T who can assist with putting a stop to this scam?

Yesterday, I received a text message from Textea Flirting Tips Alerts advising me that $9.99/mo will be added to my AT&T bill unless I reply STOP or HELP to the text. I called AT&T 611 and found that the $9.99 had already been added to my next bill. Customer support cancelled the charge and implemented a Purchase Block (attached email) on each of the cellphones on my plan.

Although redundant with what I requested of the Customer Support person, can you escalate two recommendations:

1) AT&T should not allow someone to add anything to my bill without my agreement. Before adding anything to my AT&T bill, AT&T should ask me whether I agree to the new charge. AT&T should not collect money on behalf of anyone without my approval submitted to AT&T.

2) AT&T should advise all customers of scams like this and that they have the option of adding a Purchase Block.

I replied to Textea Flirting Tips Alerts with the following message "You are a Thief." I got an immediate response which was "El comando enviado es incorrecto, envia stop para candelar y/o help para ayuda." Obviously a computer response, so my message was not delivered. Since AT&T is collecting money for this scammer/thief, perhaps AT&T could help deliver my message to them?

[aristizzle]

There is something AT&T can add to your account upon request called a purchase blocker it's free of charge and it will prevent any purchases from going through. AT&T did not assist with this charge being added to your bill, I can assure you of that. Somehow the 3rd party company was authorized either by you, a family member, or someone that had access to your phone. It can sometimes be accidental, but don't worry AT&T will make sure the subcription is stopped, cancelled, refunded up to 60 days and they can add that purchase blocker for you. I suggest contacting them, 611 on your AT&T phone or 1-800-331-0500

[stclair49]

Had you just replied "STOP" to the text, you would not have been charged. Kind of simple.

[BadBadLeroyBrown ACE - Warrior]

That may be how it's supposed to work, but I've had a problem 3 months running where something called "Chalkboard Geniu Mobile Quiz Club" started texting me, saying I was now subscribed to their service. Even when I responded with "STOP" I was still slammed with a $9.99 monthly charge. CS removed the charge, but it took 3 months of frustrated called to AT&T before they mentioned that they had a free purchase blocker.

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stclair49 wrote:

Had you just replied "STOP" to the text, you would not have been charged. Kind of simple.

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[savior]

https://cingular-oac.qpass.com/oac/html/signin.do
self service removal

[kimmie0]

I get a random text saying that I have subscribed to iqquiz fun fact and quiz and billed for 9.99 - I call ATT to stop and block. I'm told that to place a block for mobile purchases I will be charged $4.50 per month from ATT.  I went ballistic... What do they expect?