02032863990

well, what a waste of time that was, telephoning PhonePayPlus to tell them that *I* too was a victim of this £4 scam!  The call handler was argumentative, and impersonal and just shouted over my protestations that I "must have made that txt"!  really mad now! who can I complain to about PhonePayPlus??!!  The call handler said that it is a downloaded Winrar file....oh no it isn't!!!  And when I asked her why Nextcard Ltd did not exist and that the "helpline" number was an automated robot dialler, she said it did exist and the number was real???

There is no Company listed at Companies House in the name of Nextcard Ltd.

PhonePayPlus Ltd is an Agency tasked by Ofcom.

If you have a problem with the way in which PhonePayPlus deals with you, make a complaint to Ofcom, provided you have tried to get satisfaction from Management of PhonePayPlus as would be normal with any organisation.

hi helen,
they do exist although the contact details are worse than useless.

Domain Name: NEXTCARD.US
Domain ID: D20637990-US
Sponsoring Registrar: GODADDY.COM, INC.
Sponsoring Registrar IANA ID: 146
Registrar URL (registration services): whois.godaddy.com
Domain Status: clientDeleteProhibited
Domain Status: clientRenewProhibited
Domain Status: clientTransferProhibited
Domain Status: clientUpdateProhibited
Registrant ID: CR17740093
Registrant Name: Lucas Jare
Registrant Organization: Soletto Group S.A.
Registrant Address1: ADR Tower, 8th floor, Samuel Lewis Avenue
Registrant Address2: and 58th Street, Obarrio Urbanization,
Registrant City: Panama Citym
Registrant State/Province: Panama
Registrant Postal Code: 1630
Registrant Country: Panama
Registrant Country Code: PA
Registrant Phone Number: +507.6022067111

https://www.registro-publico.gob.pa/scripts/n ... ART=1&ID=575403

it's strange how Phonepayplus believe the download was a Winrar file

http://www.google.co.uk/search?rlz=1C1GGLS_en ... o+Group+S.A.%22

as you can see their business model is tricking people into paying for 'free' software.

the Network Operators (who take a cut) and Phonepayplus are a bloody criminal disgrace.

you people should be reporting this to your MP's and the press.

helen,
this is apparently what they claimed you downloaded (and agreed to pay for)

http://www.avertlabs.com/research/blog/index. ... -free-software/

I have also received this scam text message.

I phoned my service provider (Orange)I was advised to text STOP ALL to 60440.

When I asked for a refund of the £4.00 charge, I was told to take it up with Sony Ericcson (01483 305 530)Spoke to their CS and was told that I had ordered a CD in October ( I have only had this phone since December) I informed the CS rep that I had not ordered anything... She wouldn't have it!!

I was given the 02071 939 823 number to call - which of course, doesn't work.

So, undeterred, I phoned Orange again. I spoke to a different CS rep. and explained everything again. I asked for a refund of the £4.00 charge, which was immediatley credited on to my mobile phone account.(Can't fault him here - he was extremely helpful - even gave me his extension number should I have any further problems.)

My advice - go back at your service provider and insist that they refund your money as you have not requested this text.

Will keep you all posted if I receive any more unsolicited texts


I asked for the 60440 number to be blocked. He informed me that they could NOT block third-party numbers (only Preimium rate numbers.)

i recieved a text saying that due to techincal problems my purchase of 11/09 has not been charged and that i have been billed 4gbp , i dont even have a next card so i immediately found this suspicious !!!!!! going to get on to orange and try to sort this as soon as possible

OH MY GOD !!!!!!!

Had a message from 60440 saying due to technical difficulties your purchase of 11/2009 has not been charged you are now being billed 4GBP apologies for delay.help number 02032863990 Next Card Ltd.

Its a scam they dont exsist you get charged £4 on your mobile bill just for reading it CAN YOU BELIEVE IT orange have refunded me PHEW!!!!!!!!! ring your provider they should help....

This is not a scam.

Had a message from 60440 saying due to technical difficulties your purchase of 11/2009 has not been charged you are now being billed 4GBP apologies for delay.help number 02032863990 Next Card Ltd.

Finally got some answers. The was a software download from last year, that you had to send an SMS to activate. The activation code was sent in reply to the SMS with the text:  Your code is MYGMHS. Total price: 4 Pounds.  

However the messages was a free message and didn't charge like it was supposed to.

The regulator informed me that they were aware of the back charging and it was agreed by them as software was provided.

It turns out though it was my Son that downloaded the software and didn't tell me until now.

got the same text message as everyone else here.

im on orange and live in the UK.

dont know what to do but keeping the text message in my inbox for future proof... just in case

'This is not a scam.......
Finally got some answers. The was a software download from last year, that you had to send an SMS to activate. The activation code was sent in reply to the SMS with the text:'

may be Jack could explain where he saw this 'software' offer advertised

'The regulator informed me that they were aware of the back charging and it was agreed by them as software was provided.'

how odd! Phonepayplus website claim to be still 'investigating'
http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/output/default.aspx

My mobile phone bill from Virgin shows a text call from my phone to 60059 a few weeks ago, which I suspect is connected with this problem. I did not send this text. This is confirmed because my phone automatically keeps a copy of texts I send and it does not exist. It makes me fear that some software or website on my phone may have generated this.

Had exactly the same text as every one else and of course been debited £4.This was my 12 year old daughters phone! Spoke to O2 who did not want to know.Requested I contact Phonepayplus, which I did.They were a waste of space,took all my details and said I needed to contact Erikson who would give me more information.
Erikson said my daughter had downloaded some software on the 5th october at 0853 hrs PROBLEM - she was at school !!!!! Now we are wondering do we top up again on her phone since she as no credit or change her number and provider, since 02 don't deserve our business?

This is definitely a scam.

My previous advice still stands. Go back to your service provider and demand a refund. Every service provider is well aware of third party providers sending unsolicited payable texts. Their advice is to send "STOP ALL" to the offending number which "should cease all these texts arriving."

The problem is that it costs you 10p to send.

According to the Phonepay Plus website they are still investigating complaints and are encouraging all those who have received such texts to get in touch. I would urge you to complete their online form to register your grievance.

http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/output/default.aspx

Kind regards.

Direct link to the complaint form.

http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/output/Complaint-submission.aspx?ComplaintTypeID=1

The more people that register their complaints the more chance there is of getting something done.

Kind regards.

I have been emailing this company back and forth now for the past 2 days and they are basically saying that they have not done anything wrong and that im to contact payphone plus, which i have done and urge everyone to do. I have now lost my rag with them and threaten them with taking the matter further with legal advice. i will also be contacting my service provider once i can actually get through.

I sent the e-mail below to Payphoneplus, but it was returned. Checked their site , but it looks like they are not interested.

Like many others I have been caught by the scam to 60440. According to some correspondents to Google, a music down load could be the problem. I don't down load anything, I use the Internet, and then from bonefide software suppliers. My mobile is for emergencies only, and £10 lasts me for about a year on Pay as You Go, so I was furious to loose £4. Can you tell me what the police are doing about this? This is theft. Can you tell me if you have involved the police? If not, can you do so. One person loosing £4 is not a lot but over 250 people have emailed Google already, and that is the people who are aware of the scam, so that's over £1000 already. I have called Virgin, but no hope of a refund.
I do hope that you can help on this
Thank you
Frank H

Where do we go from here? Will the police do anything, after all people are being hit all the time. According to payphoneplus the offending number has been defunct for years. What are they doing about it? We tax payers are paying their wages, so get of your backsides and do some work.

Frank,
you guys have received unsolicited reverse billed premium rate sms (£4 a pop).  Throughout the years Ofcom/Phonepayplus(Icstis) have not referred a single case for the police to investigate and prosecute.    

PhonepayPlus has the following information about the shortcode number 60440.

Please contact Next Card on 020 3286 3990 or Ericsson IPX AB on 01483 305530 to resolve your query. Both of these telephone number are based in the UK.

This service costs £4 per text
If you would like to find out more about this service you should contact the company listed below.

Ericsson IPX AB
25 Kistavägen
Stockholm 16480
Sweden
020 3286 3990 or 01483 305530 (UK Contact Number)
ipx.support.uk@ericsson.com
---------------------------------------------  

Phonepayplus are fully aware of what's going on.
http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/output/Adjudications.aspx

13 September 2006
Service provider    Ericsson Internet Payment Exchange AB
Fine     £500

19 March 2009
Information provider    Funmobile FZ-LLC
Service provider    Ericsson Internet Payment Exchange AB
Fine     £75000

28 May 2009
nformation provider    Yuuzoo Pte Limited
Service provider    Ericsson Internet Payment Exchange AB
Fine     £40000

09 July 2009
Information provider    SIA A1: Baltic
Service provider    Ericsson Internet Payment Exchange AB
Fine     £1000

09 July 2009
Information provider    SIA A1: Baltic
Service provider    Ericsson Internet Payment Exchange AB
Fine     £1000

01 October 2009
Information provider    Cylon Corporation
Service provider    Ericsson Internet Payment Exchange AB
Fine     £80000

15 October 2009
Information provider    Mediahub Oy
Service provider    Ericsson Internet Payment Exchange AB
Fine     £100000


http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/output/Adjudications.aspx
-------------------------------------------------

This is 'Next Card'
Soletto Group S.A.(aka netlink Network Corp)

At the beginning of 2009 Phonepayplus had supposedly warned concerning the way they were swindling UK customers
http://torrentfreak.com/bittorrent-scam-shutd ... -breach-090127/

why on earth are Ofcom allowing to use UK 'revenue generatin/revenue sharing' shortcodes?
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=%22Sol ... &meta=&aq=f&oq=

If phonepayplus(Icstis) started reporting these frauds to the police the UK Networks and Premium Rate Industry would lose their share of the hundreds of millions in revenue they generate each year.

look at all the other cases involving 'electronic pickpocketing'
http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/output/Search-adjudications-1.aspx

Phonepayplus is the 'industry sponsored' regulator

Alex,

I have just had a look at the "adjudications" you listed. It seems to me that, as an industry sponsored body, PhonepayPlus has a vested interest in protecting the industry rather than protecting the interests of consumers such as ourselves.

Perhaps it is time for an independent body to be set up.

Interestingly, PhonepayPlus have taken off the details of this particular scam from their front page today.

Kind regards.

Hi All,

Just found this web site (link below)

http://wbx.me/l/?p=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.e-vic ... -text-4gbp.html

Hope everyone finds it useful.

Kind regards.

i had a text saying due to technical problems a purchase of 12/09 has not been charged and they have taken £4 of my mobile phone. I rang the number and it was a recorded message will they now charge me £4 for the phone call and how did they get my mobile number