DO NOT REPLY EITHER WAY – THIS IS A SCAM

Just received this message

Do you have a trapped or frozen pension? Achieve 7% growth and release 25% cash now! Text pension for a free review to release cash

Received from:

• +447895123861 / 07895123861

This is one of many messages that are circulating as originally highlighted in my article Debt Settlement Order Spam Text Message. If you ever receive anything that remotely fits this template then delete it.

This is another example of an anonymous company, spamming the text mailboxes of thousands in order to exploit some of the must vulnerable. For someone in serious debt, the opportunity to ‘unlock’ a pension whilst achieving 25% growth might seem favourable.

However, it is impossible to unlock your pension before the age of 55. The 25% mentioned in the text message refers to the 25% tax-free cash, that you can opt to take anyway. This is an option presented to you by your pension provider when you cash in, or ‘vest’ your pension anyway.

The companies that offer this service will be intent on taking a sizeable percentage of any ‘unlocked’ money, potentially condemning  the victims to hardship in their retirement years.  This article at MoneyExtra.com carries more information on the pitfalls of pension unlocking and some possible alternatives.

Reporting

You may be report these messages to your provider. The following links may help:

Vodafone – How do I report spam text messages? Forward the spam message to VSPAM (87726).

Orange – Stop spam text messages. If you are on Orange and get spam messages, please forward them to 7726 free from your Orange phone. By doing this you are helping Orange to collate information to help reduce spam messages being sent to you and others.

02 also allow you to report on 7726. See: SPAM and unwanted subscription texts

I would also try forwarding the message onto 7726 if you are with T-Mobile or Three.

You can also try NumberCop and DoNotCall.gov

Back in May 2009, the Guardian newspaper wrote an article Spam to go – the new mobile menace. It recommends a number of organisations you can contact.

To complain about an inappropriate text, call the Advertising Standards Authority 020 7492 2222 or go to www.asa.org.uk/asa/contact/

To resolve continual mobile spam despite texting “stop”, contact the ICO on 01625 54 57 45 or go to www.ico.gov.uk/complaints.aspx

For help with premium rate text spam, call PhonepayPlus on 0800 500 212 or log on to www.phonepayplus.org.uk/output/Make-a-complaint.aspxDue to a new legislation, those struggling with debt can now apply to have it written off. For more information text the word ‘INFO’ or to opt-out text stop.

DO NOT REPLY EITHER WAY – THIS IS A SCAM

IMPORTANT!:Loans & Credit Cards can now have their INTEREST & CHARGES FROZEN if you’re unable to make the repayments. For more info txt INFO or txt stop to stop.

Received from:

• +447938402427/07938402427

Image via Wikipedia

This is a spam text message WHICH IS ILLEGAL. The companies that use this form of marketing are equivalent to the people who buy stolen goods. These are not the sort of companies you want to do business with! It is likely that any dealing with them will leave you worse off.

This is one of many messages that are circulating as originally highlighted in my article Debt Settlement Order Spam Text Message. If you ever receive anything that remotely fits this template then delete it.

As for the ability to ‘Freeze’ the charges, there is a Debt Relief Order (Link to Citizens Advice Bureau), which is only available to people in very very very specific circumstances and who remain in those circumstances for the duration of the order. It also has some marked consequences, which are not to be taken lightly. You can find these by scrolling down through this article.

Moreover, Debt Relief Orders can only be processed through an approved intermediary (otherwise known as a “Competent Authority). These can be found by visiting this site. Note, the company that is touting for your business will NOT be an approved intermediary.

Again, DO NOT REPLY. This is a random act of spamming – a computer program is systematically trying to send this out to thousands of numbers at random. It has, by sheer chance, found your number!

And, if you can, post the number in the comments below. This will help people searching by that number alone find this article and avoid any potential trouble arising from replying.

Also, please. please post any variants in full. I have had so many comments from people in desperate circumstances who are being targeted by the parasites that operate these scams.

Are You a Victim?

Screenchannel Television is making a new series about debt and loans and are looking for people to share their experiences. If have been a victim of this scam, or have even considered responding and are interested in taking part, then you can read more in this article.

How Does It Work?

The whole setup is quite elaborate. But in essence there is a computer program that pretends to be the number you see that sends out all the spam messages. Meanwhile, another computer program monitors the text-message mailbox of all of the numbers you see. If you reply, then you are added to a database of numbers to be called (and for future spamming).

I’ve written this up in full at: Telephony Leads and Debt Management Companies – How It Works.

Reporting

You may be report these messages to your provider. The following links may help:

Vodafone – How do I report spam text messages? Forward the spam message to VSPAM (87726).

Orange – Stop spam text messages. If you are on Orange and get spam messages, please forward them to 7726 free from your Orange phone. By doing this you are helping Orange to collate information to help reduce spam messages being sent to you and others.

02 also allow you to report on 7726. See: SPAM and unwanted subscription texts

I would also try forwarding the message onto 7726 if you are with T-Mobile or Three.

You can also try NumberCop and DoNotCall.gov

Back in May 2009, the Guardian newspaper wrote an article Spam to go – the new mobile menace. It recommends a number of organisations you can contact.

To complain about an inappropriate text, call the Advertising Standards Authority 020 7492 2222 or go to www.asa.org.uk/asa/contact/

To resolve continual mobile spam despite texting “stop”, contact the ICO on 01625 54 57 45 or go to www.ico.gov.uk/complaints.aspx

For help with premium rate text spam, call PhonepayPlus on 0800 500 212 or log on to www.phonepayplus.org.uk/output/Make-a-complaint.aspx

Debt and Loans series

Have you received a text message offering a Debt Settlement Order, or help to claim following your “accident”, of one of the dozen or so other variants being sent to thousands of phones across the country?

Have you fallen victim one of these of spam text messages, or have you considered responding?

If so, Screenchannel Television, the makers of BBC1′s Fake Britain, are making a new series about debt and loans and be very interested to hear from anyone who has received such a text or email, and who was either tempted to reply but didn’t, or who actually replied and would be happy to talk about what happened as a result.

To share your story, or to find out more, please email debt@screenchannel.co.uk.

DO NOT REPLY EITHER WAY – THIS IS A SCAM

I received two of these messages in the last two days:

Free MSG: Government Debt Help available, those struggling to repay can apply to have debt written off. To apply for more info txt YES or to opt out txt stop

Received from:

• +447873457012 /07873457012
• +447543041390 /07543041390

Image via Wikipedia

This is one of many messages that are circulating as originally highlighted in my article Debt Settlement Order Spam Text Message. If you ever receive anything that remotely fits this template then delete it.

First off, there is no such government debt help as the message implies. There is a Debt Relief Order (Link to Citizens Advice Bureau), which is only available to people in very very very specific circumstances and who remain in those circumstances for the duration of the order. It also has some marked consequences, which are not to be taken lightly. You can find these by scrolling down through this article.

Moreover, Debt Relief Orders can only be processed through an approved intermediary (otherwise known as a “Competent Authority). These can be found by visiting this site. Note, the company that is touting for your business will NOT be an approved intermediary.

Again, DO NOT REPLY. And, if you can, post the number in the comments below. This will help people searching by that number alone find this article and avoid any potential trouble arising from replying. I’d also be interested to hear of any variants on this message that surface.

The sending of any spam IS ILLEGAL. The companies that use this form of marketing are equivalent to the people who buy stolen goods. These are not the sort of companies you want to do business with!

If you want to read more, can I recommend the above link. It contains a list of articles that I’ve written regarding this whole scam and its setup. I found the research both fascinating and appalling at the same time.

How Did they Get My Number?

The didn’t. They guessed it. For every sucessfully send text message there may be hundreds sent to inactive or non-existent numbers. See how it works in this blog posting.

Are You a Victim?

Screenchannel Television is making a new series about debt and loans and are looking for people to share their experiences. If have been a victim of this scam, or have even considered responding and are interested in taking part, then you can read more in this article.

Reporting

You may be report these messages to your provider. The following links may help:

Vodafone – How do I report spam text messages? Forward the spam message to VSPAM (87726).

Orange – Stop spam text messages. If you are on Orange and get spam messages, please forward them to 7726 free from your Orange phone. By doing this you are helping Orange to collate information to help reduce spam messages being sent to you and others.

02 also allow you to report on 7726. See: SPAM and unwanted subscription texts

I would also try forwarding the message onto 7726 if you are with T-Mobile or Three.

You can also try NumberCop and DoNotCall.gov

Back in May 2009, the Guardian newspaper wrote an article Spam to go – the new mobile menace. It recommends a number of organisations you can contact.

To complain about an inappropriate text, call the Advertising Standards Authority 020 7492 2222 or go to www.asa.org.uk/asa/contact/

To resolve continual mobile spam despite texting “stop”, contact the ICO on 01625 54 57 45 or go to www.ico.gov.uk/complaints.aspx

For help with premium rate text spam, call PhonepayPlus on 0800 500 212 or log on to www.phonepayplus.org.uk/output/Make-a-complaint.aspxDue to a new legislation, those struggling with debt can now apply to have it written off. For more information text the word ‘INFO’ or to opt-out text stop.

DO NOT REPLY EITHER WAY – THIS IS A SCAM

URGENT! If you took out a bank loan prior to 2007 the you are almost certainly entitled to £2300 in compensation. To claim text ‘YES’. (free to reply).

Received from:

• +447522075609/07522075609

Another span tesxt message variant to look out for.

This message has surfaced in relation to the current Missold Payment Protection Insurance Ruling. The adjacent BBC article reports that several million people may be worthy of such compensation – ripe pickings for our scammers.

If you’re looking to claim back any money in relation to this, the BBC outlines a series of steps you can take personally. You can also check out the PPI reclaiming guide at moneysavingexpert.com. Ultimately, this is your money, rightfully due to you, so why waste money on an opportunistic company just looking to profit from your misfortune.

Image via Wikipedia

This is a spam text message WHICH IS ILLEGAL. The companies that use this form of marketing are equivalent to the people who buy stolen goods. These are not the sort of companies you want to do business with!

This is one of many messages that are circulating as originally highlighted in my article Debt Settlement Order Spam Text Message. If you ever receive anything that remotely fits this template then delete it.

Again, DO NOT REPLY. This is a random act of spamming – a computer program is systematically trying to send this out to thousands of numbers at random. It has, by sheer chance, found your number!

And, if you can, post the number in the comments below. This will help people searching by that number alone find this article and avoid any potential trouble arising from replying.

Also, please. please post any variants in full. I have had so many comments from people in desperate circumstances who are being targeted by the parasites that operate these scams.

Are You a Victim?

Screenchannel Television is making a new series about debt and loans and are looking for people to share their experiences. If have been a victim of this scam, or have even considered responding and are interested in taking part, then you can read more in this article.

How Does It Work?

The whole setup is quite elaborate. But in essence there is a computer program that pretends to be the number you see that sends out all the spam messages. Meanwhile, another computer program monitors the text-message mailbox of all of the numbers you see. If you reply, then you are added to a database of numbers to be called (and for future spamming).

I’ve written this up in full at: Telephony Leads and Debt Management Companies – How It Works.

Reporting

You may be report these messages to your provider. The following links may help:

Vodafone – How do I report spam text messages? Forward the spam message to VSPAM (87726).

Orange – Stop spam text messages. If you are on Orange and get spam messages, please forward them to 7726 free from your Orange phone. By doing this you are helping Orange to collate information to help reduce spam messages being sent to you and others.

02 also allow you to report on 7726. See: SPAM and unwanted subscription texts

I would also try forwarding the message onto 7726 if you are with T-Mobile or Three.

You can also try NumberCop and DoNotCall.gov

Back in May 2009, the Guardian newspaper wrote an article Spam to go – the new mobile menace. It recommends a number of organisations you can contact.

To complain about an inappropriate text, call the Advertising Standards Authority 020 7492 2222 or go to www.asa.org.uk/asa/contact/

To resolve continual mobile spam despite texting “stop”, contact the ICO on 01625 54 57 45 or go to www.ico.gov.uk/complaints.aspx

For help with premium rate text spam, call PhonepayPlus on 0800 500 212 or log on to www.phonepayplus.org.uk/output/Make-a-complaint.aspx

DO NOT REPLY EITHER WAY – THIS IS A SCAM

Looking for a load or payday 95% approvals in june,complete online in 5mins. www.extramoneymatters.co.uk No guarantor. To opt out reply stop

Received from:

• +447523822040/07523822040

Another spam text message variant to look out for.

Image via Wikipedia

This is a spam text message WHICH IS ILLEGAL. The companies that use this form of marketing are equivalent to the people who buy stolen goods. These are not the sort of companies you want to do business with!

This is one of many messages that are circulating as originally highlighted in my article Debt Settlement Order Spam Text Message. If you ever receive anything that remotely fits this template then delete it.

Again, DO NOT REPLY. This is a random act of spamming – a computer program is systematically trying to send this out to thousands of numbers at random. It has, by sheer chance, found your number!

And, if you can, post the number in the comments below. This will help people searching by that number alone find this article and avoid any potential trouble arising from replying.

Also, please. please post any variants in full. I have had so many comments from people in desperate circumstances who are being targeted by the parasites that operate these scams.

Are You a Victim?

Screenchannel Television is making a new series about debt and loans and are looking for people to share their experiences. If have been a victim of this scam, or have even considered responding and are interested in taking part, then you can read more in this article.

How Does It Work?

The whole setup is quite elaborate. But in essence there is a computer program that pretends to be the number you see that sends out all the spam messages. Meanwhile, another computer program monitors the text-message mailbox of all of the numbers you see. If you reply, then you are added to a database of numbers to be called (and for future spamming).

I’ve written this up in full at: Telephony Leads and Debt Management Companies – How It Works.

Reporting

You may be report these messages to your provider. The following links may help:

Vodafone – How do I report spam text messages? Forward the spam message to VSPAM (87726).

Orange – Stop spam text messages. If you are on Orange and get spam messages, please forward them to 7726 free from your Orange phone. By doing this you are helping Orange to collate information to help reduce spam messages being sent to you and others.

02 also allow you to report on 7726. See: SPAM and unwanted subscription texts

I would also try forwarding the message onto 7726 if you are with T-Mobile or Three.

You can also try NumberCop and DoNotCall.gov

Back in May 2009, the Guardian newspaper wrote an article Spam to go – the new mobile menace. It recommends a number of organisations you can contact.

To complain about an inappropriate text, call the Advertising Standards Authority 020 7492 2222 or go to www.asa.org.uk/asa/contact/

To resolve continual mobile spam despite texting “stop”, contact the ICO on 01625 54 57 45 or go to www.ico.gov.uk/complaints.aspx

For help with premium rate text spam, call PhonepayPlus on 0800 500 212 or log on to www.phonepayplus.org.uk/output/Make-a-complaint.aspx

DO NOT REPLY EITHER WAY – THIS IS A SCAM

You have still not claimed the compensation for your accident. You may be entitled up to £3650. To find out more reply ‘CLAIM’. Thank you.

Another variant reads:

You have still not claimed the compensation you are due for the accident you have. to start the process please reply YES. To opt out text STOP.

Received from:

• +447542007519/07542007519
• +447548031950/07548031950

It’s been a while since the last one, but the commenters on this blog have reported a new variant.

Some people have reported receiving up to one text message daily!

Image via Wikipedia

This is a spam text message WHICH IS ILLEGAL. The companies that use this form of marketing are equivalent to the people who buy stolen goods. These are not the sort of companies you want to do business with!

This is one of many messages that are circulating as originally highlighted in my article Debt Settlement Order Spam Text Message. If you ever receive anything that remotely fits this template then delete it.

Again, DO NOT REPLY. This is a random act of spamming – a computer program is systematically trying to send this out to thousands of numbers at random. It has, by sheer chance, found your number!

And, if you can, post the number in the comments below. This will help people searching by that number alone find this article and avoid any potential trouble arising from replying.

Also, please. please post any variants in full. I have had so many comments from people in desperate circumstances who are being targeted by the parasites that operate these scams.

How Does It Work?

The whole setup is quite elaborate. But in essence there is a computer program that pretends to be the number you see that sends out all the spam messages. Meanwhile, another computer program monitors the text-message mailbox of all of the numbers you see. If you reply, then you are added to a database  of numbers to be called (and for future spamming).

I’ve written this up in full at: Telephony Leads and Debt Management Companies – How It Works.

Reporting

You may be report these messages to your provider. The following links may help:

Vodafone – How do I report spam text messages? Forward the spam message to VSPAM (87726).

Orange – Stop spam text messages. If you are on Orange and get spam messages, please forward them to 7726 free from your Orange phone. By doing this you are helping Orange to collate information to help reduce spam messages being sent to you and others.

02 also allow you to report on 7726. See: SPAM and unwanted subscription texts

I would also try forwarding the message onto 7726 if you are with T-Mobile or Three.

You can also try NumberCop and DoNotCall.gov

Back in May 2009, the Guardian newspaper wrote an article Spam to go – the new mobile menace. It recommends a number of organisations you can contact.

To complain about an inappropriate text, call the Advertising Standards Authority 020 7492 2222 or go to www.asa.org.uk/asa/contact/

To resolve continual mobile spam despite texting “stop”, contact the ICO on 01625 54 57 45 or go to www.ico.gov.uk/complaints.aspx

For help with premium rate text spam, call PhonepayPlus on 0800 500 212 or log on to www.phonepayplus.org.uk/output/Make-a-complaint.aspx

DO NOT REPLY EITHER WAY – THIS IS A SCAM

Free Message: Important! Our records indicate you may be entitled to £3450 from Mis-Sold Loan Insurance! To claim reply YES to this message. Thank you!

Received from: +447848390971/07848390971

This message surfaced on the same day as the decision by the British Bankers Association not to appeal against the high court ruling on Payment Protection Insurance. The adjacent BBC article reports that several million people may be worthy of such compensation – ripe pickings for our scammers.

If you’re looking to claim back any money in relation to this, the BBC outlines a series of steps you can take personally. You can also check out the PPI reclaiming guide at moneysavingexpert.com. Ultimately, this is your money, rightfully due to you, so why waste money on an opportunistic company just looking to profit from your misfortune.

Image via Wikipedia

In addition, this is spam text message WHICH IS ILLEGAL. Companies that use this form of marketing are equivalent to individuals who buy stolen goods. These are not the sort of companies you want to do business with!

This is one of many messages that are circulating as originally highlighted in my article Debt Settlement Order Spam Text Message. If you ever receive anything that remotely fits this template then delete it.

Again, DO NOT REPLY

And, if you can, post the number in the comments below. This will help people searching by that number alone find this article and avoid any potential trouble arising from replying.

I’d be interested to hear of any variants on this message that surface.

If you want to read more, can I recommend the above link. It contains a list of articles that I’ve written regarding this whole scam and its setup. I found the research both fascinating and appalling at the same time.

Are You a Victim?

Screenchannel Television is making a new series about debt and loans and are looking for people to share their experiences. If have been a victim of this scam, or have even considered responding and are interested in taking part, then you can read more in this article.

Reporting

You may be report these messages to your provider. The following links may help:

Vodafone – How do I report spam text messages? Forward the spam message to VSPAM (87726).

Orange – Stop spam text messages. If you are on Orange and get spam messages, please forward them to 7726 free from your Orange phone. By doing this you are helping Orange to collate information to help reduce spam messages being sent to you and others.

02 also allow you to report on 7726. See: SPAM and unwanted subscription texts

I would also try forwarding the message onto 7726 if you are with T-Mobile or Three.

You can also try NumberCop and DoNotCall.gov

Back in May 2009, the Guardian newspaper wrote an article Spam to go – the new mobile menace. It recommends a number of organisations you can contact.

To complain about an inappropriate text, call the Advertising Standards Authority 020 7492 2222 or go to www.asa.org.uk/asa/contact/

To resolve continual mobile spam despite texting “stop”, contact the ICO on 01625 54 57 45 or go to www.ico.gov.uk/complaints.aspx

For help with premium rate text spam, call PhonepayPlus on 0800 500 212 or log on to www.phonepayplus.org.uk/output/Make-a-complaint.aspx

DO NOT REPLY EITHER WAY – THIS IS A SCAM

Get yourself DEBT FREE this Year! Reply “info” to this number for details. Government backed scheme. Free to reply. Get a fresh start. £1000 plus. PER Ltd

I just recieved a new one today. Received from: +447786207081 / 07786207081

Image via Wikipedia

This is one of many messages that are circulating as originally highlighted in my article Debt Settlement Order Spam Text Message. If you ever receive anything that remotely fits this template then delete it.

Again, DO NOT REPLY

And, if you can, post the number in the comments below. This will help people searching by that number alone find this article and avoid any potential trouble arising from replying.

I’d be interested to hear of any variants on this message that surface.

If you want to read more, can I recommend the above link. It contains a list of articles that I’ve written regarding this whole scam and its setup. I found the research both fascinating and appalling at the same time.

Are You a Victim?

Screenchannel Television is making a new series about debt and loans and are looking for people to share their experiences. If have been a victim of this scam, or have even considered responding and are interested in taking part, then you can read more in this article.

Reporting

You may be report these messages to your provider. The following links may help:

Vodafone – How do I report spam text messages? Forward the spam message to VSPAM (87726).

Orange – Stop spam text messages. If you are on Orange and get spam messages, please forward them to 7726 free from your Orange phone. By doing this you are helping Orange to collate information to help reduce spam messages being sent to you and others.

02 also allow you to report on 7726. See: SPAM and unwanted subscription texts

I would also try forwarding the message onto 7726 if you are with T-Mobile or Three.

You can also try NumberCop and DoNotCall.gov

Back in May 2009, the Guardian newspaper wrote an article Spam to go – the new mobile menace. It recommends a number of organisations you can contact.

To complain about an inappropriate text, call the Advertising Standards Authority 020 7492 2222 or go to www.asa.org.uk/asa/contact/

To resolve continual mobile spam despite texting “stop”, contact the ICO on 01625 54 57 45 or go to www.ico.gov.uk/complaints.aspx

For help with premium rate text spam, call PhonepayPlus on 0800 500 212 or log on to www.phonepayplus.org.uk/output/Make-a-complaint.aspx

DO NOT REPLY EITHER WAY – THIS IS A SCAM

Another one for the collection.

Due to a new legislation, those struggling with debt can now apply to have it written off. For more information text the word ‘INFO’ or to opt-out text stop.

Received from: +447591298462 /07591298462

And other variants:

Due to existing legislation, those struggling with debt are entitled to know their options. For more information text the word DEBT or to opt out text Stop.

Due to new legislation, records indicate that you are eligible to lower your monthly payments and maybe write off up to 75% of your debt. Reply HELP for info

This is one of many messages that are circulating as originally highlighted in my article Debt Settlement Order Spam Text Message. If you ever receive anything that remotely fits this template then delete it.

Image via Wikipedia

It appears that the perpetrators have dropped the “Debt Settlement Order” text from the front after gaining much negative publicity and presence in the public’s consciousness. As you might suspect, no such legislation has been recently introduced. The UK government made no mention of this is their recent budget.

The only thing that vaguely resembles this is a Debt Relief Order (Link to Citizens Advice Bureau), which is only available to people in very very very specific circumstances and who remain in those circumstances for the duration of the order. It also has some marked consequences, which are not to be taken lightly. You can find these by scrolling down through this article.

Moreover, Debt Relief Orders can only be processed through an approved intermediary (otherwise known as a “Competent Authority). These can be found by visiting this site. Note, the company that is touting for your business will NOT be an approved intermediary.

Again, DO NOT REPLY. And, if you can, post the number in the comments below. This will help people searching by that number alone find this article and avoid any potential trouble arising from replying. I’d also be interested to hear of any variants on this message that surface.

If you want to read more, can I recommend the above link. It contains a list of articles that I’ve written regarding this whole scam and its setup. I found the research both fascinating and appalling at the same time.

Are You a Victim?

Screenchannel Television is making a new series about debt and loans and are looking for people to share their experiences. If have been a victim of this scam, or have even considered responding and are interested in taking part, then you can read more in this article.

Reporting

You may be report these messages to your provider. The following links may help:

Vodafone – How do I report spam text messages? Forward the spam message to VSPAM (87726).

Orange – Stop spam text messages. If you are on Orange and get spam messages, please forward them to 7726 free from your Orange phone. By doing this you are helping Orange to collate information to help reduce spam messages being sent to you and others.

02 also allow you to report on 7726. See: SPAM and unwanted subscription texts

I would also try forwarding the message onto 7726 if you are with T-Mobile or Three.

You can also try NumberCop and DoNotCall.gov

Back in May 2009, the Guardian newspaper wrote an article Spam to go – the new mobile menace. It recommends a number of organisations you can contact.

To complain about an inappropriate text, call the Advertising Standards Authority 020 7492 2222 or go to www.asa.org.uk/asa/contact/

To resolve continual mobile spam despite texting “stop”, contact the ICO on 01625 54 57 45 or go to www.ico.gov.uk/complaints.aspx

For help with premium rate text spam, call PhonepayPlus on 0800 500 212 or log on to www.phonepayplus.org.uk/output/Make-a-complaint.aspxDue to a new legislation, those struggling with debt can now apply to have it written off. For more information text the word ‘INFO’ or to opt-out text stop.

DO NOT REPLY EITHER WAY – THIS IS A SCAM

FREEMSG: Our records indicate you may be entitled to 3750 pounds for you Accident. To claim for free, reply with YES to this msg. To opt out text STOP

Received from: +447770428521 / 07770428521

There appear to be many common variants of spam text message flying around the system. This is one that surfaced during the recent (2010) winter which saw treacherous roads and pavements give rise to increased hospital admissions.

Image via Wikipedia

This is one of many messages that are circulating as originally highlighted in my article Debt Settlement Order Spam Text Message. If you ever receive anything that remotely fits this template then delete it.

Again, DO NOT REPLY

And, if you can, post the number in the comments below. This will help people searching by that number alone find this article and avoid any potential trouble arising from replying.

I’d be interested to hear of any variants on this message that surface.

If you want to read more, can I recommend the above link. It contains a list of articles that I’ve written regarding this whole scam and its setup. I found the research both fascinating and appalling at the same time.

Are You a Victim?

Screenchannel Television is making a new series about debt and loans and are looking for people to share their experiences. If have been a victim of this scam, or have even considered responding and are interested in taking part, then you can read more in this article.

Reporting

You may be report these messages to your provider. The following links may help:

Vodafone – How do I report spam text messages? Forward the spam message to VSPAM (87726).

Orange – Stop spam text messages. If you are on Orange and get spam messages, please forward them to 7726 free from your Orange phone. By doing this you are helping Orange to collate information to help reduce spam messages being sent to you and others.

T-Mobile don’t appear to have any page for reporting, but there are a few suggestions on this post

You can also try NumberCop and DoNotCall.gov

Back in May 2009, the Guardian newspaper wrote an article Spam to go – the new mobile menace. It recommends a number of organisations you can contact.

To complain about an inappropriate text, call the Advertising Standards Authority 020 7492 2222 or go to www.asa.org.uk/asa/contact/

To resolve continual mobile spam despite texting “stop”, contact the ICO on 01625 54 57 45 or go to www.ico.gov.uk/complaints.aspx

For help with premium rate text spam, call PhonepayPlus on 0800 500 212 or log on to www.phonepayplus.org.uk/output/Make-a-complaint.aspx

Debt Settlement Orders, and the original debt settlement order spam text message post (http://www.jameswiseman.com/blog/2011/01/17/debt-settlement-order-unsolicited-text-message/), written back in January (2011) have now caught the attention of some areas of the British media.

• Simon Read of the Independent Newspaper covered it in Consuming Issues: Scam debt text hopes to trick the vulnerable in the Independent on Saturday on 2nd April 2011.
• On 23rd March 2011 it was Featured in Penman & Sommerlad Investigate Daily Mirror Blog

This is great news as at all helps spread the word.

Other messages in this series include:

• Debt Relief Order – Spam Text Message
• Affiliate Data Systems – “Accident Claims” Scammers
• getaloanfast.co.uk – Get A 15k Loan Fast – Text Message Spam
• DEBT FREE message from Per Ltd
• Telephony Leads and Debt Management Companies – How It Works
• Debt Settlement Order Texts – Campaign To Feature On BBC Watchdog
• Empty Text Message Spam

The world is full of people trying to separate the vulnerable from their money. If you are interested, you can read about my Blog series on the Windows Support Telephone Scam based in India. Its worth knowing about so you can warn family and friends.

DO NOT REPLY EITHER WAY – THIS IS A SCAM

With my original debt settlement order spam text message post having gained significant velocity in the blogosphere, I thought it worth posting here with regard to a subtle change of tack for the spammers with this new message:

The government has introduced a Debt Relief Order. People struggling to pay bills can have debt wiped off for ever. For more info text INFO. To stop text STOP

This is hardly surprising. A search for Debt Settlement order in google at the time of writing yielded the above post with the text ‘DO NOT REPLY EITHER WAY – THIS IS A SCAM’, whereas, a search for Debt Relief Order revealed no such indication.

For now, all the info regarding this is on the above link.

Feel free to post any numbers and variants below. It’ll all help keep this prominent and prevent others from falling into the same trap.

Are You a Victim?

Screenchannel Television is making a new series about debt and loans and are looking for people to share their experiences. If have been a victim of this scam, or have even considered responding and are interested in taking part, then you can read more in this article.

The Chainsaw-Severed Arm Counter-Scam

This is part of my blog series that started with the receipt of a debt settlement order spam text message.

Image by Odalaigh via Flickr

I decided to take the plunge and respond to a couple of these spam/scam text messages to see what response I got.

Within about an hour I received a call from an anonymous number, so took a deep breath and pressed the answer button. I was greeted by a lady at the opposite end of the line. I didn’t have access to recording facilities, so you’ll just have to make do with the transcript below:

Operator: “Hello, I am calling from Affiliate Data Systems regarding your recent accident.”

Me: “Yes, sorry, what was your name”

Operator: “Affiliate Data Systems”

Me: Sorry Did you say “Affiliate Data Systems” (I’m writing this down)

Operator: “Yes”

Me: “Right, yes, I’ve just recently cut my arm off with a chainsaw.”

Operator: “Really?”

(Of course, she was calling regarding my recent accident, so she should have known this)

Me: “Yes, it’s a pain, because its my right arm that is severed, and I’m right-handed”

Operator: “Right, well, can I take some details. What is your first name?”

(Note, she didn’t ask me why I was using the chainsaw with my left hand if I was right handed).

Me: “Hugh”

Operator: “And your second name?”

Me: “Jars. My name is Hugh Jars”

(I’m resisting the very acute temptation to snigger at this point)

Operator: “Right, Mr Jars, and what is your postcode”

Me: [Made something up]

Operator: “That doesn’t seem to exist”

Me: “That’s probably because I built it myself – that’s how my arm ended up getting severed”

Operator (ignoring me): “OK, what is your house number?”

Me: 2786

(Operator decides she’s had enough at this point and hangs up!)

Great fun, great fun! Especially hearing the surprise of the woman when hearing about the chainsaw accident.

Others are welcome to try the same!

You can read more on this in my blog series on text message nuisances.

DO NOT REPLY EITHER WAY – THIS IS A SCAM

This is another spam text message in the same vein as the Debt Settlement Order Unsolicited Text Message that I wrote about in January earlier this year.

I received this a few days ago from 07581497874 / +447581497874.

You will almost certainly have a different number. Feel free to post it below, and follow the instructions below for reporting.

And here is it:

Are you looking for aloan up to 15k. No guarantor. Same day payout. Bad Credit OK. Completely online. Visit www.getaloanfast.co.uk To opt-out reply stop

Searching around there are other variants:

Your loan has been approved for up to 15K  No guarantor. Same day payout. Bad Credit OK. Completely online.

This is the first text where the name of the company (Getaloanfast.co.uk) are featured. I have deliberately not linked to their website but you can, of course visit at your own leisure through the wonders of copy/paste. Monsters wont emerge forth from your monitor and destroy the universe. No physical harm will become you, however I really wouldn’t bother. I was going to include a screenshot, but there’s a sneaky copyright at the bottom, so i thought I’d play it safe.

Let’s look carefully at the APR. Apparently, the ‘typical’ rate is 17.9%. The word ‘typical’ is particularly valid here. Essentialliy, it means that they would expect to give 66% (nearly two-thirds) of their customers a loan at that rate. Here are a couple of links with more details on ‘Typical APR’ if you are interested:

• The difference between APR Variable and APR Typical
• Understanding Typical APRs

But this advertised rate is very misleading, because when you go through the loan application process you are not actually offered a loan from GetALoanFast.co.uk at all. So, you can kiss goodbye to that 17.9% right away!

In fact, the parent company that underpins this operation does its best obfuscate its actual identity and actual interest rate until the very last stage in the process. And even then you are left a little unsure. Let’s have a look at this:

What Happens When You ‘Apply’?

So, let’s take an imaginary customer, Dr William T Conqueror, who wants to take out a 15K loan as they suggest. William, 35, is married, and is super-rich. He has a house valued at ten-million pounds with no mortgage and a monthly income of one million pounds. He has an impeccable credit history and wants the loan over sixty months for some home improvements.

We’re forced to enter a phone number, so I use the one above (i.e. the one that supposedly sent me the message in the first place). We go through the screens to get a quote. We are happily informed:

We are now matching your details with over 251 lenders to find you the best quotation possible, this will only take a few seconds……

251 companies? Wow! And then:

Loan Found

Great news, one of our approved partners has found you a loan.

This can all be done online and to save you time we have already pre-populated your details to their online portal ready for completion.

Horay! So we are taken to the next page, and we’re not on the GetALoanFast.co.uk site anymore. Instead we are at ‘loanfinder.co.uk’. So, GetALoanFast may offer 17.9% APR, but it doesn’t appear possible to obtain a loan from them at all.

Rather than the originally touted 251 companies, we now appear to have ‘searched’ through 292! And what is the APR the ‘selected’ company is offering  our  zero-risk multi-millionaire doctor and lord of the manor?

53.9 %APR Representative

53.9%!!! According to Guardian Newspaper Loan Repayment Calculator, over 60 months we would end up paying back £28,544.10 . That’s nearly double!

So, what of LoanFinder.co.uk? Well, they are a bit hard to pin down:

• It uses GetALoanFast.co.uk as a front to make it appear that if offers a 17.9% APR
• Loanfinder is a trading name of Post Net Ltd
• Loanfinder is part of the Richmond Group of companies

Eh? So who are they then? It could be one of four different companies!

I would consider any company are willing to resort to spamming thousands of phones in order to drum up business, to be of extremely questionable and dubious repute. By seemingly attempting to ‘cloak’ their identity, they reduce my opinion of their rectitude yet further.

I would rather gnaw my own arm off then get a loan with this company.

And then I look even further. When searching in Google for LoanFinder.co.uk scam I get a whopping 36,000 results. Top of a list is an entire site dedicated to this – Loanfinderukscam.co.uk. Take a look further. The author is of now doubt that this is a scamming operation, although, does publish a response from them on HubPages.com.

Spam is widely regarded as being unethical. The methods by which the spam text message reaches your phone is cloaked in deceit and trickery (see my article Telephony Leads and Debt Management Companies – How It Works) and the cumulative cost to the spam recipients is greater than the cost to the spammer themself.

Consider the following other products that are marketing by spam, that we have become more hardened to:

• Viagra
• Diet Pills
• Other pharmaceuticals
• Fake College Degrees

Most people wouldn’t dream of paying these items even a second glance, so why not treat EVERY company that does this the same way, regardless of the medium (Email, Text Messages, Telephone Calls, Post, etc).

Are You a Victim?

Screenchannel Television is making a new series about debt and loans and are looking for people to share their experiences. If have been a victim of this scam, or have even considered responding and are interested in taking part, then you can read more in this article.

Reporting

Back in May 2009, the Guardian newspaper wrote an article Spam to go – the new mobile menace. It recommends a number of organisations you can contact.

To complain about an inappropriate text, call the Advertising Standards Authority 020 7492 2222 or go to www.asa.org.uk/asa/contact/

To resolve continual mobile spam despite texting “stop”, contact the ICO on 01625 54 57 45 or go to www.ico.gov.uk/complaints.aspx

For help with premium rate text spam, call PhonepayPlus on 0800 500 212 or log on to www.phonepayplus.org.uk/output/Make-a-complaint.aspx

You may be report these messages to your provider. The following links may help:

Vodafone – How do I report spam text messages? Forward the spam message to VSPAM (87726).

Orange – Stop spam text messages. If you are on Orange and get spam messages, please forward them to 7726 free from your Orange phone. By doing this you are helping Orange to collate information to help reduce spam messages being sent to you and others.

02 also allow you to report on 7726. See: SPAM and unwanted subscription texts

I would also try forwarding the message onto 7726 if you are with T-Mobile or Three.

You can also try NumberCop and DoNotCall.gov

Leave Your Numbers

Again, post your numbers below. Some people may search just for that number, so if we can help others then all the better.