Pro - Does anyone else's nest boxes get soaked in rain?

[The Dogmother]

You may know more about this than me...

 

Rosie's mobile is locked so that she can't make any calls or send any text messages; she thinks that it may have started when she received a spam text saying that she was subscribed to something and that it would cost her X amount unless she texted STOP to the number. In a panic, she did that and her phone hasn't worked since. I am taking it down to the Vodafone shop today to see what they can do about it.

 

She has a s"Ooops, word censored!"py old LG phone that she got 2nd hand from a friend, so it's entirely possible that the fault lies with the phone.

 

Any ideas?

[Margalot]

Hi,

 

We had something similar with my sons LG phone, his friends got hold of it and tried to unlock his passcode to access the phne and then it locked, I rang vodafone who unlocked/ reset his PUK code???

[The Dogmother]

Finally sorted this out after the best part of a day in conversation with Vodafone... I'll try to keep it short, so bear with me.

 

Rosie's phone has a spend limiter on it as there's a common prank at school of ringing out on someone's phone and racking up charges, it also has a bar on the internet for the same reason. These children even seem to be able to get into locked phones

 

She has been receiving lots of spam texts, one of these told her that she was subscribed to something or other and that it would cost her x amount per day unless she texted STOP to a number. In a total blind panic, she texted STOP as required, unaware that this would be a premium rate text and would cost her a fortune. This pushed her account over the bar limit so it was locked

 

Vodafone, who are usually very helpful mostly failed me yesterday; twice I was put through to an offshore operator who completely failed to grasp the problem, despite me being very slow and patient with both of them. After a visit to the local Vodafone shop, followed by a chat with yet another offshore (but very helpful) operator, we now have her phone working again.

 

All premium rate texts are now barred, the number from that first text is barred on her phone, the SIM is reset, as is her account. I have also added her mobile number to the TPS database as that really worked for me.

 

While I can understand that these spam texts can't differentiate between a phone owned by an adult or a child, this really is sharp practice and it annoys me.

 

Phew!

[Willow]

Thanks for the update Clare.

 

Can anyone ask for premium rate texts to be barred ? I think I'd like to get this set up for my teens.

[The Dogmother]

Well, I could (as the account holder), but other providers may be different.

 

It sounds drastic but it protects me from massive bills and her from any embarrassment; her account allows unlimited texts and 300 call minutes, anything beyond that is barred. Internet access is barred and now this premium rate text thing as well. It's not done to spite her in any way, more to keep her (and my money) safe.... her previous phone didn't have internet capabilities, but when she got this one 2nd hand from a friend, some oik at school got hold of it and set it to download something vile online and racked up charges of £100, which both she and I were horrified about. I reported it to school and Rosie offered to pay me back, bless her. Her phone has a PIN but apparently these kids can get into anything

 

It's worth speaking to your provider.

[Valkyrie]

Crikey! Glad you eventually sorted it out! Poor Rosie having such a "lovely" classmate. I never realised that could be done - little hackers!!!! Which sort of replaced the word I'd like to use!

[The Dogmother]

I think there's a small contingent of toe-rags in the school and they prat around at lunchtime Personally I'd have them under lock and key at break times if they can't behave themselves.

[Valkyrie]

Yep, I agree - there are definitely some of those I'd have happily chucked in the dungeon from days of yore. Seems some have gone on to better things like criminal records - what a surprise - never saw that coming, harrrrrr!