Remember to block SMS that cut money from your account

[thailandsgreat]

Most of you probably know this but I learned today, so I put a heads up here.

 

For about a month I have received spam SMS/text messages from two numbers. I didn't care but now see that for each message they nicked 3 baht from my account. I went to Truemove and they blocked "non free ads" I believe.

 

About 5 text a day for a month is about 450 baht. No big deal, but stupid system that they can send SMS and cut money and I must actively block them. I also blocked them in my phone.

 

 

 

 

[scubascuba3]

Yes that is annoying, I had to call AIS before and they refunded the money

[thailandsgreat]

  On 10/26/2023 at 8:39 AM, scubascuba3 said:

Yes that is annoying, I had to call AIS before and they refunded the money

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I didn't go so far. I don't think True does that. I asked why I should pay and True said it was out of their control.

 

Now arrived another one from a similar number. They will squeeze the last money out of me before the block hopefully sets in, in 24 hrs. 😄

[zzaa09]

Ahh.....the forced upon existence through everything controlled IT and AI.

Ain't it grand.

 

 

[scubascuba3]

  On 10/26/2023 at 8:44 AM, thailandsgreat said:

I didn't go so far. I don't think True does that. I asked why I should pay and True said it was out of their control.

 

Now arrived another one from a similar number. They will squeeze the last money out of me before the block hopefully sets in, in 24 hrs. 😄

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Good reason to keep minimal balance on a phone like my DTAC sim

[redwood1]

Guys just take your phone to the AIS or whoever center at the mall and they will clean all the money-sucking garbage off you phone for free..

 

Forget trying to find it yourself.....You will not...

 

Also don't open any spam ever.....Once you open you then pay and pay and pay till its removed...

[OneMoreFarang]

Please explain how it is possible that someone charges for a SMS which they send you.

 

I understand that I might have to pay for SMS if I use roaming. But withing Thailand I don't know how that should work (without malware on the phone).

[Yellowtail]

I have had AIS post-pay for over 20 years and never had this. 

 

Of course, I do not click on links stating I won something either...

[scubascuba3]

  On 10/26/2023 at 9:12 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

Please explain how it is possible that someone charges for a SMS which they send you.

 

I understand that I might have to pay for SMS if I use roaming. But withing Thailand I don't know how that should work (without malware on the phone).

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The networks appear to be in on it when you get a new SIM, it could also be the sellers, the numbers are provided to these spammers

[thailandsgreat]

  On 10/26/2023 at 9:12 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

Please explain how it is possible that someone charges for a SMS which they send you.

 

I understand that I might have to pay for SMS if I use roaming. But withing Thailand I don't know how that should work (without malware on the phone).

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I don't know. It hasn't to do with the phone, as I understood, True has to block "paid ads".

 

The 3B go straight to "websites", True said.

 

And I don't understand why members put confused smileys to the topic.

[thailandsgreat]

It went very fast when True did it for me. Buy I think she called 137 and disabled "paid ads"

[eisfeld]

  On 10/26/2023 at 9:12 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

Please explain how it is possible that someone charges for a SMS which they send you.

 

I understand that I might have to pay for SMS if I use roaming. But withing Thailand I don't know how that should work (without malware on the phone).

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It is a method supported by the mobile networks. In the west it started a long time ago with crap like "Get your daily horoscope delivered via SMS" or for example ringtones. In the past you'd have to send an SMS to some short number to initiate this but over time they got more ways like just enterting your number on a website. They then charge your mobile account per SMS delivered. Doesn't have to have anything to do with the phone itself but it could be some crap app that was installed. You can ask your carrier to disable this great "feature".

 

Why do the carriers offer this functionality? Because they and the companies who send these fantastically valueable SMSs share the revenue taken from the user.

[Moonlover]

  On 10/26/2023 at 9:47 AM, thailandsgreat said:

And I don't understand why members put confused smileys to the topic.

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Because we were confused, that's why! And for the reasons that @OneMoreFarang stated. I quote:

 

'Please explain how it is possible that someone charges for a SMS which they send you'.

 

I was also perplexed by your comment: 'About 5 text a day for a month is about 450 baht. No big deal',

 

NO BIG DEAL? If I got a phone bill for 450 baht I'd be friggin' mortified!

[redwood1]

  On 10/26/2023 at 9:03 AM, redwood1 said:

Guys just take your phone to the AIS or whoever center at the mall and they will clean all the money-sucking garbage off you phone for free..

 

Forget trying to find it yourself.....You will not...

 

Also don't open any spam ever.....Once you open you then pay and pay and pay till its removed...

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The confused faces strike again

 

Let me repeat you will NEVER NEVER EVER be able to remove the time money suckers 100% unless you have your carrier do it for you....

 

Is this clear enough for you? Mr confused....??

 

[observer90210]

With True prepaid, by some miracle, as soon as one top's up, those hateful sms start and reduce the credit.

 

People should only end up in using via wifi and passing calls through Wassup, Viber or Line.

 

Wassup seems to be more or less a bit more secure but I could be wrong ?

 

Golden rule of course is  n e v e r   to clik on any link. Even if it's a location map link, if possible I always ask for the address and then find the place on Google myself.

[OneMoreFarang]

  On 10/26/2023 at 9:47 AM, thailandsgreat said:

True has to block "paid ads"

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I have my number since forever. I think at the beginning I received some ads and I asked DTAC to block them.

I think at that time it was just annoying but didn't cost any money.

[thailandsgreat]

It is a relatively new postpaid account. As has been explained it hasn't to do with what I click. It somehow came with the new account. It can be turned on and off by calling *137. Either it is endorsed by True or it was the "initiative" of the sales person.

[thailandsgreat]

  On 10/26/2023 at 11:28 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

I have my number since forever. I think at the beginning I received some ads and I asked DTAC to block them.

I think at that time it was just annoying but didn't cost any money.

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Yes. Same thing. But they have stepped up to charging. Big corp's are taking over.

[BE88]

If you have a recent mobile phone then simply block the numbers you don't want to receive text messages or phone calls

[BenStark]

  On 10/26/2023 at 9:47 AM, thailandsgreat said:

And I don't understand why members put confused smileys to the topic.

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Probably because they are confused, as in, lack of brain cells

[redwood1]

  On 10/26/2023 at 11:34 AM, thailandsgreat said:

Yes. Same thing. But they have stepped up to charging. Big corp's are taking over.

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These money suckers are tricky.....The only way that seems to work to avoid them is to not click on any SMS unless your 100% sure what your clicking... 

[thailandsgreat]

  On 10/26/2023 at 11:52 AM, redwood1 said:

 

These money suckers are tricky.....The only way that seems to work to avoid them is to not click on any SMS unless your 100% sure what your clicking... 

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They charge whether you click or not. Stop trolling. 🙂

 

The only sure way, according to Truemove is to block via *137 /9 for English

[redwood1]

  On 10/26/2023 at 11:59 AM, thailandsgreat said:

They charge whether you click or not. Stop trolling. 🙂

 

The only sure way, according to Truemove is to block via *137 /9 for English

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I am not trolling at all I have had years of experience with these Bas__ards.....

AIS also has a clearing blocking code......Guess what it simply does not work very good...

 

The only 100% sure fire way to get rid of the money suckers is to have the staff at AIS or True clear them for you....

 

And not clicking on SMS is a massive good protection but you are right its not 100% protection..

[BenStark]

I have 2 True sims in my phone, one post paid and one prepaid.

 

When I receive a spam message it get automatically moved, and I get a message, spam message moved to spam folder. I can then go to the spam folder and block the number.

 

If i get a spam call, a red message will be on my screen "suspected spam caller", so i just ignore the call and block the number afterwards

[Lacessit]

I may be wrong, but IMO this might be related to the type of  connection.

I do not have any access to the internet, except when I am in a WiFi hotspot where I have the password.

I have a pay as you go on my phone with TrueMove, which I top up when I get below 50 baht. It only enables phone calls and SMS.

Any time I get an SMS in Thai, I automatically delete. Speak English if you want to talk to me.

I have never had money deducted from any of my accounts, in the way the OP describes.

 

[itsari]

Disgusting dishonest practice , especially when considering truemove has a 49 percent ownership by a Norwegian telecom company that would be barred from business if they done the same crap at there home base.

[eisfeld]

  On 10/26/2023 at 11:31 AM, thailandsgreat said:

It is a relatively new postpaid account. As has been explained it hasn't to do with what I click. It somehow came with the new account. It can be turned on and off by calling *137. Either it is endorsed by True or it was the "initiative" of the sales person.

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Some sim cards or account types might come with a package like that. There are rogue sales persons that will sign you up for "offers" like that as they get a comission. Also happens with phone repair staff.

[eisfeld]

  On 10/26/2023 at 11:45 AM, BE88 said:

If you have a recent mobile phone then simply block the numbers you don't want to receive text messages or phone calls

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That's not the right way to stop it and might not prevent the charges from happening. The right way is to speak to the carrier and have them turn that off.

[eisfeld]

  On 10/26/2023 at 11:52 AM, redwood1 said:

 

These money suckers are tricky.....The only way that seems to work to avoid them is to not click on any SMS unless your 100% sure what your clicking... 

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There are plenty other ways to get signed up for fun money suckers.

[eisfeld]

  On 10/26/2023 at 12:29 PM, Lacessit said:

I may be wrong, but IMO this might be related to the type of  connection.

I do not have any access to the internet, except when I am in a WiFi hotspot where I have the password.

I have a pay as you go on my phone with TrueMove, which I top up when I get below 50 baht. It only enables phone calls and SMS.

Any time I get an SMS in Thai, I automatically delete. Speak English if you want to talk to me.

I have never had money deducted from any of my accounts, in the way the OP describes.

 

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Type of connection is not related to premium SMS charges in most cases.