HUGE SCAM involving…
http://my-movie-survey.com/go.html
sms-helpdesk.com
Netflix
Cell Phone Provider
How it works:
I typed in Netflix.com (except, I must have made a typo because it was a phony site) and a 30 second survey pops up (with Netflix logo) and all you have to do is give a 30 second survey for the chance to win one of three prizes ( iphone or iPad2). I answer the quick survey and then they ask for your phone number and email address for prize notification. They are going to send you a pin number to use for confirmation.
Now, I’m in a hurry, I don’t understand the whole message, I’m confused (the intention of the scam) I get the pin number and submit it AND THEN ALL HECK BREAKS OUT and the text messages start coming fast and furiously. Multiple messages one after another.
“Your pin is 2019. Enter this on Guessology.com for ringtns. Reply HELP 4help 1-877074105 $9.99/mo Subscription. Rely STOP to cancel.Mesg&data rates may aply.”
I can’t type ‘STOP’ fast enough.
The response I get is “You are not subscribed to any services. For more support: Call 18002357105 or e-mail help@sms-helpdesk.com.”
Finally after my phone quiets down. I respond with STOP to all the text messages and I google ‘sms-helpdesk.com’ to research it. It is an empty/phony site.
I emailed SPRINT immediately regarding the Scam and even though I texted back ‘STOP’, one charge still showed up on my account. The account rep said ‘You might have inadvertently subscribed for these services.’ NO, I was scammed.
Another victim’s story:
From Rob Knop’s blog: http://scientopia.org/blogs/galacticinteractions/2009/10/31/horrible-service-from-sprint-receive-text-messages-risk-getting-signed-up-for-additional-billing/
Rob Knop is a member of the faculty of Quest University in Squamish, British Columbia.
For Your Protection:
Call your provider right now and DEMAND a BLOCK be placed on your account. “Block Premium SMS.”
(See Verizon’s info page about creating blocks: http://support.vzw.com/faqs/Premium_TXT_and_MMS/faq_premium_txt_and_mms.html
Recourse for Charges:
Submit the following official ‘complaints’ and your provider will be calling you to kiss-and-make-up and clear all the charges IMMEDIATELY.
Do not hesitate. Get mad. These SCAMMERS are stealing from you. And millions of others. It is EASY to file these complaints on line.
Just calling your phone provider’s service representative seems to be inadequate. They either outright lie or are seriously incompetent. Either way you are being ripped off and your service provider is providing the means.
Washington State Attorney General Complaint http://www.atg.wa.gov/fileacomplaint.aspx
Better Business Bureau
https://odr.bbb.org/odrweb/public/getstarted.aspx
FTC Federal Trade Commission
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/
Hope this has been helpful!
Warmest, Julie
Julie Hutton
‘I would love to get one of your friends or family into their dream home!
Please call me if you know of anyone who it thinking of buying or selling a home.
I PROMISE to make you proud!’ – Julie
Realtor (R)
Sales & Marketing Specialist
Coldwell Banker Bain
8525 120th Ave NE, Ste 100
Kirkland, WA 98033
425-260-4440
Julie@JulieHutton.com
www.JulieHutton.com
Getting Your Home to SOLD (1:32) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp5QuB3YpDM
Facebook Profile http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kirkland-WA/Julie-Hutton-Real-Estate/95502741259
Julie Hutton’s BLOG https://juliehutton.wordpress.com/
Linkedin http://www.linkedin.com/in/juliehutton
Julie, you can also go to your account on the Verizon Wireless website, go to usage controls and block SMS.
Hi Julie,
After experiencing the same Netflix fishing site, I google the net and came across your posting. I am not sure what to add to your detail explanation and recommendations.
My situation occured on 6/30/11 while I was trying to register a new Samsung DVD player to my Netflix online Internet service. I simply followed the DVD screen instructions. When I typed the URL to enter my device Code, I was redirected to another website. The intended URL was http://www.netflix.com/activate. The landing URL was http://www.my-movie-survey.com. The hijacked website had the look and feel of Netflix. Instead of my normal login information, I was asked to enter my email and phone number at the end of some simple survey questions. Seemed like your typical Netflix questions. ONe of the questions was..”do you like ads in your video?” So, I simply replied to a series of simply survey questions. After clicking enter, I immediately received a flury of Text Messages. I attempted to enter the 4 digit code. But nothing worked. I then realized something was not normal. I contacted Netflix customer support. They did not admit any such fishing. Highly unlikely we are the only victims.
I just got the phone with my cell phone carrier AT&T; I am one of the many iPhone4 customers. After 20 minutes of trying to explain to them what happend, they finally told me that download charges had indeed occured. I was charged $9.99 twice. I did not realize you could be chared like this to your cell phone without use of a credit card. Interestingly, AT&T wanted to sell me an additional “unauthorized charges” service for $4.99 a month. I am not sure if this is capitalizing on a bad situation. I think you should have an option on the iPhone or through AT&T to blocak all SMS charge backs or purchases. Anyhow, I got AT&T to credit my account for $19.98. I hope this will be the last of charges.
I encourage anyone who is trying to register a device to Netflix online service to register your new device through your Netflix Login. Go to Netflix’s Home page. Login. Go to your account page. Then look for a URL that allows you to register a device. Hopefully, this will prevent you from being redirected to some other website.
I almost got roped in by mistyping “fangango.com”. Thanks for relating your experience.
thanks – i called tmobile and they did a great job. they refunded the $9.99 and blocked the spam.
Thanks for writing this post. I got this while trying to go to Fandango. I got suspicious when they asked me for my cell; thank you for writing up this post to warn others!