6 posts tagged “fraudulent item on bill”

That's not a typo, I meant SPANNER, 'cause that's what they are... tools!  Oh, enough of my never ending wit already...

Regulate this!

I would love to hear from those of you that have had a run in with PhonepayPlus/ICSTIS maybe even OFCOM or OFTEL, PayPal or PalPlus.  Whatever they like to be called on a Tuesday!  Crikey, it's Tuesday already!

Of equal interest to me and presumably the majority of the people reading my Fraudwatch posts (remember don't have nightmares, goodnight and good luck) are the perpertrators and enablers, the likes of mBlox and the Tanla's and Spread Media's of this world.  Anyone got any stories about these less than savoury folk (oh I hate biting my tongue!)

The world (okay the UK) needs to hear your story, so please get in touch.  I know you're reading as lots of people were checking out my latest Fraudwatch posts, from across the country - and they can't all be Andrew Bud (scroll to comments for a treat) or David Shepard.

BTW for those new to my blog, Andrew Bud's company is in cahoots with the scammers and he is also The Regulator - I'll be back... to steal your money!

The Bud-dy Movie of the Year!

If you don't know the quote from my 'title' above, then I'm probably going to sound a tad on the postal side of things.  For those of you that that describes, let me put you at ease and say GO WATCH THAT MOVIE!

So, Ant, we get the title and we want to know what's grinding your gears.  Please tell us!

You want to know what really grinds my gears? And, in no particular order, here's what:

Could this be the man behind the infamous "Katie" premium rate scam?  Anyone know more about him or the companies connected with him?  As well as Spread Media, there's Equinox Agency Ltd,  Vaudaville.com and Photoidol

Here's a picture of a guy who I believe must be the David Shepard - courtesy of facebook.

David Shepard's Facebook mugshot

Here's a link to PhonepayPlus's previous Spread Media adjudication and a brief summary is below:

Spread Media Ltd - PhonepayPlus adjudication

Just off the phone to PhonepayPlus (the regulator in charge of premium rate services).  I was advised to send the 'STOP' message to Spread Media - at cost to me.  I was also advised to call Spread Media's premium rate phone number in order to get a refund!

So, lets get this straight:

• Some random company uses deception in an attempt to trick me out of money (which I ignore)
  
• A month later they attempt the same deception - this time charging me £1.50
• The UK regulator tells me that I have to give the thieving bastards more money in order to get my money back and prevent the scum from taking more.

Great regulating guys!  Show those scam artists who's boss.  That £500 fine and formal reprimand you gave them last time sure did the trick.  No wait, it didn't - you just told me on the phone that there's already a bunch of complaints about Spread Media's latest deception!  I guess the paltry fine and slap on the wrist didn't work after all?

Readers, what d'ya reckon?  Should I text 'STOP' to 68888 or not?  PhonepayPlus seemed to think it'd only cost the same as a normal text message, would put an end to future messages from Spread Media and would be more or less essential (if I get more messages and get charged it will be apparently my fault for not sending the 'STOP')

Check out the following forum threads, especially if you've had money stolen from you by Spread Media...

Who Calls Me?

Grumbletext

Digital Spy

Just a few more things to add...

The Independent on Spread

Hope The Independent don't mind me copying and pasting that, fair use and all!  Here's the link > The City Diary

And to add to that I've just found out that a company called "Equinox Agency Ltd" is behind Spread Media and I'm uncovering more and more.