Skydeck Blog - Latest Comments in Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

Ann — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:53:14 -0000

SJA Mobile: Alerts - GameTip Alerts $19.99 just showed up on my Sprint billing. It seems this happens a lot because when I called Sprint, they put a block on SJA and credited the $19.99 charge back, no questions asked! I wouldn't bother trying to go through SJA to get a refund, contact your cell phone carrier directly.

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

Katherine Longo — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 12:45:54 -0000

I have Verizon and was charged $60 in two months by SJA mobile for premium text messages. Verizon has been wonderful about explaining how these charges came to be on my bill and how to prevent it from happening again. The first time I called, they refunded me $20 as a courtesy. I just called back today to inform them that I have emailed SJA five times and still have not received a refund; they refunded me the other $40 today.

PLEASE do not be mad at your kids!! Believe them when they say they did not subscribe to these charges. Also, do the following:
1. Request your refund from SJA mobile.
2. Call your carrier to place a block on premium text messages and talk to them about a courtesy credit.
3. Email, text, call and tell anyone you meet to stop the scamming by placing a block on their phone.

Good Luck!

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

OSC — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 21:15:24 -0000

Yes this is a scam. I spoke to Sprint representative and she said that she could do nothing. I had to pay for the service even if I never subscribed for it. It is a direct rip-off. Tomorrow anybody can open a damn company be a partner with Sprint and charge anybody anything. Sprint representative offered me to block my text messaging to avoid such fraud companies but they will not break their relationship with such fraud companies. Awesome! These bastards keeping USA going. Sometime it is SJAlerts, sometime oil company bastards and sometime walstreet bastards. Ordinary people wait for rip-off.

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

AHM — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:36:15 -0000

I was charged 9.99 by SJA mobile On my Jan. 2009 Sprint bill. I contacted Sprint and they removed it immediately and stated they would contact the company on my behalf for a refund. This company is horrible and they are anticipating some type of lawsuit which is why they issue refunds so quickly and use that "no statutory obligation" language.

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

Walter — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:18:15 -0000

I also noticed this recently on my sprint bill and its been occurring for 3 months now. The first CSR would not do anything about it, but I called back again and found a rep that was more than helpful. She credited back everything and blocked these future charges. So check your bills, call customer service, and get your money back.

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

Yuriy — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 08:39:07 -0000

I have been scammed by SJA Mobile for for the last 5 months, and it's been a very bad experience. They woudl send me lame messages advertising sine gaming website. I do not know how they got my number, as I never sign up for any premium services (they probably purchase databases of phone numbers). I sent the word "STOP" to their number a few times, they would sent me a "confirmation" that my number would be removed, and then send me messages again (charging 9.99 for each). Their refund policy is a complete lie, I submitted two requests in September, and they are still in a "pending" state.

It's unpleasant to say that T-Mobile did almost nothing to help me (I had about 6 conversations with customer service). First, they told me they blocked messages from SJA number, but it didn't work. Then they promised me to block all messages coming from internet gateways, and that didn't help either. They also wouldn't refund me for SJA Mobile charges. I finally called them and said, that I am going to drop them and go to another carrier. After that they refunded me about 80% of SJA's charges, and offered to disable SMS alltogether (I agreed because by that point I would agree for anything to stop this fraud).

So now I stopped getting any messages. Will see, how it reflects on my bill. Overall, I just can't believe how ridiculous is the whole situation. Anyone can set up a company, purchase lists of phone numbers and start applying charges to them, and phone companies wouldn't do anything about that. Nice and easy way to make money for everyone, ins't it? Except it comes from the pockets of unsuspecting people, who can't really prevent it. In Russia, mobile carriers are banned by law to charge clients for incoming text messages, and for that reason third party content providers require you to send a paid outgoing message to short number before they can give you any service. But in United States it's a nightmare, you have to pay for everything, including something you didn't request. Shame!

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

carrie taylor — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:27:48 -0000

First of all I would love to know how to contact you for my refund as I did not sign up for this service. After reading all these complaints I figure this is a scam and I probably will not be helped. If it is possible to cancel this way please do so and contact me in person for my information ( i will be getting yours also) for a full refund

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

Ruth Fox — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 18:19:49 -0000

My husband somehow got into this site. I had no idea what was going on. I'm afraid to really look at my statements now. I just thought he was making charges here and there. Does changing the number stop the charges?

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

Warren — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:55:49 -0000

After reviewing the FCC consumer information doc as described above, I discovered that T-Mobile IS inviolation of the FCC's Truth-in-Billing rules.

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

Warren — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:26:53 -0000

After much investigation this practice of unauthorized charges on your phone bill is called "Cramming". The FCC finally has a consumer information doc dated 7/01/08. Here is the link:

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/cons...

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

Warren — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:20:01 -0000

It appears that the consumer and the vulnerable adult need a "DO NOT TEXT LAW" by congress to bury SJA and its likes. The "dam slime scam" . My daughter, who is deaf and vulnerable and under conservatorship, uses a Sidekick which can only be used with T-Mobile wireless. This device is the mode of communication within the "Deaf Community". I called T-Mobile today and requested removal of the SJA charge and also the blocking of this service. Their response was YOU will have to call this "third party" even though THEY collet the money with NO description of the charge and THEY, T-Mobile, had NO VOICE OR TDD phone number for SJA. T-Mobile was rude, arrogant and unhelpful and will disconnect my daughter's service if the bill was NOT paid in full. I will be contacting not only the FCC, my representitives, but also the deaf community!! There are other devices available now that provide my daughter's needs. I WILL be disconnecting T-Mobile!!!

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

Marilyn Goddu — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 17:18:27 -0000

I am 67 years old I don't need to receive game cheats as some of you have told us about. I have T-Mobile and have been receiving charges on my cell phone bill for 3 months. The first time I saw it on my bill I called T-Mobile. They asked me a lot of questions about giving my cell # to anyone on-line or on my cell phone I have never texted anyone in my life. I wouldn't know how to and I don't care to find out. T-mobile gave me a credit and blocked this company SJA from my cell. The next month my cell phone was charged another two charges of 9.99 each. I called T-Mobile and they credited my account again and blocked this company again telling me these charges were probably already charged after I called. This month there is another two charges on my bill. They told me the same thing as last month. Blocking them is not working either. I have the cheapest plan they don't even give out anymore. I can't afford to pay twenty dollars a month more on my bill. I phoned sja 800 # that T-moble gave my and got their mobile web site to e-mail them. Guess what, Windows cannot find their website. I found this website by going through Yahoo search. I don't know what to do anymore. Please help.

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

Pam Groothuis — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 17:06:15 -0000

I have had a charge on my cell phone bill for the last two months in the amount of 19.98. I have contacted the 800 number several times and left messages like I was instructed and no one will call me back. I did not authorize this purchase and will not pay for it and I want a full refund.
Pam Groothuis

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

TK — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:36:04 -0000

i am going through the same battle myself. still waiting to hear back from sja. they actually gave me the name of a client that was sending me the text. but i have two diffent numbers. 23907 and 98550. i have t-mobile. called them once, going to call again. they said they would credit my account but haven't yet. in two months i have got 4 extra charges for a total of 40 bucks.

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

Doug — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 10:38:38 -0000

I was scammed by these folks (SJA - Gametip Alerts) this month. I was charged 19.99 by this company on my Sprint invoice. I have no idea who these people are or what they do.

I called Sprint to ask for a credit on my account. They stated they do not credit these charges and that I would need to work with the vendors directly. She provided a phone number for SJA that goes directly to voicemail (which is full so you can't leave a message). The voicemail message also lists a text number you can send (I don't like that option, then they know the cell number is a valid and responding number). I found an emaill address for them. I sent an email which was promptly returned as undeliverable. I asked Sprint to block all 3rd party vendor charges so we'll see how well that works. Very frustrating situation. I notified Sprint customer service that their assistance and resolution completely failed to resolve my situation.

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

JWT — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 17:27:59 -0000

I figure this 23907 scam is a result of filling out bogus applications. If you apply for a job and they send you to a site asking to fill out personal information including who you cell phone carrier is, it's really 23907 and SJA.

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

Doc — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:58:27 -0000

Don't blame your phone company (although they are aware of this scam, and at some level are participants).

Don't blame your kids, though it is likely your charges stem from your child (or adult family mmember) may have unknowingly subcribed to this "service" by enetering your cell number to get a CHEAT code for a video game.

The bottom line is that this "service" SJA Mobile, Tracy McGrady, or whatever they will next call themselves, are running a SCAM.

Check your bill monthly, call your cell provider, demand (in a nice tone, of course) that they REMOVE the charges and BLOCK the charges from happening again.

Most likely your provider will do both for you without a problem, if they don't, follow Andrews advise from above, and notify your provider that:

1) You will file a complaint with the FCC for erroneous charges

2) You understood your rights by law to a DETAILED DESCRIPTION of such services and charges.

3) You will file a complaint with your state Attorney General.

4) You will start looking for an new wireless provider.

DO NOT let them give you the sorry excuse that they are only billing for a third party and not responsible. Your service, and credit, are in jeapordy due to these erroneus charges.

Nor should you allow them to pass the responsibility to you, by suggesting that you text SJA Mobile the words STOP. Read posts above to see how that may not work, and isn't it texting that started this whole mess in the first place?

Alas, SJA, Tracy McGrady (not the basketball player) have used the SHORT CODES 23907 as well as 88930, they now have a third number.

So here's where it gets really srewy. When you BLOCK one of the short codes with your provider, keep an eye on your bill, within a month or two they will come back with another charge, most likely using one of the other short codes, then you have to start all over with your cell provider by calling, getting charges removed, and blocking again.

I know this all as I have been dealing with this for many months now with T-Mobile. today they were very pleasent about it all, they are on to this SCAM (at least the person I spoke to is). They took care of averything, again. they validated that it was a new third short code as well.

There were no charges on my last month's bill, but they were on again this month, so I called today. The firsttime I called about it several months ago, they wanted me to text the STOP message, I refused. This is a company phone, and it makes no sense to solve the problem by texting the folks who are running the scam.

They show up on your bill as enhanced messaging services, but they do not offer any enhanced services, it is a downright scam, and all this is charged for a video game cheat code, or perhaps a sports score, or ???. what's next? recipes, health questions?

NEVER eneter your cell phonen umber with any company or form online or over the phone. Keep your cell phonen umber private to those you know. However, even a jealous angry former friend or relative can punish you by going to a game cheat site and enetering in your cell number.

AS a last resort, you can request to change your wireless umber with your provider, but then you have to notify everyone you want to know your new number. Plus it may cost you to do it, though I would imagine a good provider wouldn't cjarge you based on the situation.

Whew, I think I've said enough...best wishes to all SJA victims.

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

Lauren — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 18:34:03 -0000

I've had the same problem so I googled SJA mobile and found this!

In my first email to the company, I clearly listed all the charges and requested a refund. After almost two weeks, I finally received a reponse that said this:

Thank you for contacting the Help Desk.
As part of our commitment to excellent customer service, Game Cheats Master offers a “no questions asked” refund for unsatisfied subscribers. Refunds will be issued via a mailed cashier’s check. Please allow for up to 3 weeks before receiving your refund check in the mail.

Please be informed that you were charged ( 4 x $4.99 ). This will be delivered to the address you provided.

Thank You,
GameCheatsMaster Support Services

I told them I was charged $124.74, so I have NO idea where their math came from. So then I follow up with another email re-explaining what happened (an tacking on another month of charges even though I un subscribed from their service), and a month later I STILL have not recieved an email response. What I did receive a few days ago was a check in the mail for $19.96!!! These people are total idiots and should not be permitted to run a business.

The worst part is that there is no phone number to call them...

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

Andrew — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:32:35 -0000

Update to my comment yesterday:
T Mobile was able to remove the charges as well as block out these "Premium" text messages to my wife's account.

At first the customer service rep. didn't want to help us out with a detailed explanation to the charges or remove them at all.

After explaining that 1)we had already filed a complaint with the FCC, 2)understood our rights by law to a detailed description of such services and charges, 3)we're going to file complaints with the Attorney Generals of both MD and CO, and 4)cancel our services with them the rep was able to, with the help of his supervisor, knock off the 20 some odd dollars as well as block any future text messages from the numbers 23907 as well as 88930.

Hope this may help out anyone who may have to go through this shite.

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

ch — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:59:37 -0000

Thank you so much for this website..

We got hit with SJA on my son’s phone. I am going to call Tmobile…. This is BS.. . I check our phone records and can’t see any message from SJA and we got hit for $30.
first of all, how can you expect a 11 year old boy to pay !!!! that’s what SJA and all the phone companies are doing…. this is a conspiracy. I am PO’ed. The previous message by SJA executive is BS… IF it’s a reputable company, why can’t we talk to a person…..

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

Kristi — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:52:02 -0000

In response to comments from the SJA Mobile executive or whatever he fancies him self. First of all my child DID not subscribe too any cell ringer service or anything else with my cell phone. Secondly, there was nothing "patently false" about the claims I made! Your company subscribed me to a service I did not ask for nor did I want and then refused to honor your goodwill refund. Your company is the one who text messaged my phone I did not contact you, I deleted the text since I was not interested in your service. So I would be grateful if you could explain where that gives you consent to charge my cell bill $19.99 not once but twice, to the point that I had to contact them and have a block put on so you could no longer do this. Oh by the way, still haven't received my refund! Hmmmm no gross inaccuracies there.
Thank you for your consideration.

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

Andrew — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 23:56:48 -0000

First off. . .

The wife's phone received an identical text for Game Cheats Master in late August. No responder to the original, and of course, the latest bill has two $9.99 charges for SJA Mobile and Tracey McGrady Cont. Hope T Mobile is helpful with dropping the charges tomorrow. I feel for everyone else who experiences this crap.

To the so called executive at SJA. . .

Your a chump. Your website reeks fakeness. You ripped off the images within your site — still contain iStockphoto water marks. You're not even good at fixing that — classy. I think I'll refer this to the members over at iStockphoto about that the next time I'm there to PURCHASE something for a project. They probably don't take too well to guys like you ripping their stuff for profit. Life must suck for you.

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

Peggy — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 03:40:59 -0000

My T-Mobile was billed for $9.99 two months in a row, so I called up the customer service and asked what's going on. The rep said I had "somehow signed up for some text service" and that she does not know what. She refunded me for one month, but wanted me to "unsubscribe" the service. I thought to myself: how do I "unsubscribe" if I don't even know where I had subscribed?

If it was a service that I DO use, I'm glad to pay for it because I do use it, but I couldn't come to reason why I was charged for something I don't even know about. So I checked T-Mobile website about my billing, there it is, "SJA Mobile," a name I have never heard of.

So I googled them and found this thread, and I texted STOP to 23907 and got instant reply "Access denied." Great! I then emailed for request for a refund like the previous thread suggested, and canceled the service on SJA website. After hitting the cancel the service button with my phone number, it says: CHEATS stopped. I came to realize that I have received a text message saying something about "game cheats" service for $19.99/month. I had ignored it and thought it was just another marketing text message. I didn't realize that by doing NOTHING actually gets this scammer legit(?) reason to "subscribe" me monthly!

I now hope the refund check comes and the monthly billing does stop. The website now says "within 60 days" in their refund clause. How can people make money doing this? I now know why the U.S. economy goes down!

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

Sandra — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 05:27:18 -0000

I was hit with this text as well. I did as instructed and went to the site and cancelled the services. I was also hit with Cylon LLC: Alerts for $19.99. I can't find anywhere on the web on how to cancel this service. Have anyone been hit by them too? I wonder if it is the same company

Re: Text Message Fraud: Part 2 of 2

Kristi — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:42:19 -0000

I went ahead and contacted the Attorney General's office in my state, they replied back and made it sound like I or one of my kids had gone to some website for free ringtones etc. and entered my phone number. This of course did not happen! Anyway, they thanked me for the information and referred me to the FCC who oversees the cell phone market so I went ahead and filed a complaint with them also. I encourage everyone to do the same. Still haven't heard a word from or received my refund from SJA. Big surprise there! What happened to the good faith refund they promise on their website?