Home User Security: Text Message and Cell Phone Scams
Home User Security reports on Blinko and Jamster. According to it, “premium rate text” services offered via an SMS short code can get you “soaked on your next phone bill, or better yet, soak someone else’s phone bill.”
According to Home User Security “To be in business all you need is a short code and an interconnection agreement, which can be had for less than a few thousand dollars. You can then fool some sucker (often a child) into sending you a text message and then you can tack absurd charges (which can recur weekly) onto their phone bill with virtual impunity.
These charges are billed with little or no disclosure and wireless phone companies threaten to disrupt service if these third party charges are not paid. (I’ve been through this once with a friend and trust me, it was not pleasant.)”
