Unauthorized Text Messaging charges on my ATT/Verizon cell phone

A $9.95 "data" charge showed up on my AT&T/Verizon bill last month........and again this month without me even knowing I had text capability.......something I did not ask for and something I do not want.

I was told by Verizon I had to call the company that was sending (or allowing/providing for) the text message and ask to "opt out" to get a credit/refund of $9.95. I did exactly as I was told. I also told the company (as I did with ATT/Verizon) that I did not want the texting feature on my Verizon plan.

Then this month again I was amazed to see another charge of $9.95 for "data services"......when I called Verizon the CS rep told me I had to call this number which was to a "universaltexting.com". I was told they would make sure I had opted and would make sure I do not receive anymore text messages. When I called this number at UniversalTexting they said OK we will take care of that and send me a refund of $9.95 (both requests remain to be seen). Enough time has not yet passed to determine if they really do as they said they would do.

Has anyone here had this issue with AT&T/Verizon....being charged a "data charge" of $9.95 "suddenly" without realizing what was going on.....and NEVER having used the text messaging capability??? If so, I'd like to hear your story as to how you were able to get the charge removed and the service cut out.

---

› See More: Unauthorized Text Messaging charges on my ATT/Verizon cell phone

What is ATT/Verizon?

Originally Posted by efparri

What is ATT/Verizon?

My cell phone provider. It used to be just AT&T then they were bought out by Verizon.

Either you have AT&T or Verizon...not both...unless you're one of the few people who decide to have more than one provider. I can tell you that AT&T and Verizon are unaffiliated. No part of AT&T has ever been purchased by Verizon.

Are you sure you don't mean Alltel? They're the only huge wireless carrier that has ever been purchased by Verizon.

Anyway, to your concern.

A data charge of $9.95 (usually they seem to be $9.99 so I'm not sure why there is a difference) is for a third party text messaging service, which is in no way offered by Verizon Wireless. These services are generally those that appear on TV and say something like "Text 99999 for free ringtones" and then you must subscribe to get them. It is a monthly charge until you opt out by replying "Stop" or "unsubscribe". The people Verizon Wireless eventually had you call was most likely the company who is billing you. The way stuff like this works is the company (the third party one) bills Verizon Wireless for these services. Then Verizon Wireless relays they charges to you. That's why Verizon Wireless is so reluctant to credit them...they'd be loosing money too. If you beg enough, Verizon may do a "customer satisfaction credit" but they'll only do that once...maybe twice.\

As far as resolving it...the only way you can resolve it is by getting the third party company to stop billing you. So talk some more to Verizon and the other company to try and resolve this.

Remember, this is not an issue with Verizon Wireless, this is an issue with the third party company.

Also, Verizon Wireless offers a free feature to permanently stop being able to send/receive messages to "premium text messaging services". Call them and talk to them about that to prevent future similar issues. Now that something like this has already happened though, this will not resolve your current issue.

Sorry guys, I meant to say Alltel.......and Nick, thanks for the great explanation. I'll try to make sure this gets done.