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Viewpoints

Cell Phone Scam
By Susan Hoyt

 

February 09, 2011
Wednesday PM


I am writing this to inform local residents and the elderly who have cell phones that you may find charges on your statement for something you didn't knowingly purchase.

I was gathering my usual pile of paperwork for taxes and started scrutinizing my cell phone bill. I saw a couple charges for $9.99 and I could not figure out what they were for so I Googled the information that was on the bill (Att navigator) (Mobile alerts) (Love alerts) and discovered these are phone scammers who send you a message and if you don't respond, it gives your consent to charge and if you do respond and txt STOP it still sends you a bill for $9.99. This is not a part of your phone carrier. These are private scammers who are duping citizens out of tons of money especially people who have more than one phone user on their package or business who do not go over their bills.

There are a few things you can do:

There are a couple items you have to purchase (how ironic is that). Those items cost the same as the scammers $9.99. Tthose that have ATand T have an option called Purchase blocker a child protection plan that is FREE..

I am not sure about the other carriers but after talking with co workers some on other plans have noticed the same thing.

So check your bills under the TOTAL USAGE CHARGES section to see if you are being scammed.


Ketchikan, AK

About: "Born and Raised Alaskan resident and cell phone user..."

Received February 08, 2011 - Published February 09, 2011

 

On the Web:

Federal Trade Commission
https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

The Federal Trade Commission, the nation's consumer protection agency, collects complaints about companies, business practices, and identity theft.

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