Dadamobile -- The Cell Spam You Pay For
ANYONE can sign you up for a content subscription from Dadamobile. After you're subscribed, you can choose not to receive the service by responding to a message that looks like cell phone spam. But if you ignore the message, you start getting charged. Welcome to the new world of cell phone spam you pay for.
7:17 AM * PERMALINK * 96 comments
Comments:
I represent DADAmobile.com and would like to shed some light on of the point discussed above.
First of all please let me explain exactly what our service offers to subscribers and how it is structured.
DADAmobile is a mobile subscription package billed to subscribers on a monthly basis at $9.99. Subscribers are billed by means of premium SMS.
The service aims at providing subscribers with access to a wide range of mobile content (i.e. ringtones, real tones, wallpapers and javagames). With the payment of the monthly fee, members' accounts are credited with a sum of tokens (the amount of which depends on the user's carrier, i.e. Cingular users have a monthly allowance of 40 tokens) which they can "spend" by downloading content from the web site us.dadamobile.com.
The subscription to DADAmobile is a two-part process. First, the user inserts their mobile phone number on a web page on us.dadamobile.com. Second, after receiving an SMS reply from DADAmobile, the user confirms their subscription by either inserting a password (received in SMS) on the web or by replying YES via SMS from their handset. The user is ONLY subscribed to the service if they have completed this second step confirming that they wish to go ahead with the subscription.
This "second opt-in" reminds users
that they are subscribing to a monthly subscription service and gives them details on how they can, if they choose, opt-out and receive help. All this information is also clearly presented in more detail on the us.dadamobile.com website.
This two-step process makes it very difficult for us to understand how a user can subscribe without knowledge of doing so and how the word SPAM might be associated with our service.
It is in our interest to ensure that DADAmobile is a transparent service that offers real value for its customers so that they will remain with us and be happy to make use of what DADAmobile has to offer. Let me add DADAmobile is fully compliant with the Mobile Marketing Association Best Practices (http://www.mmaglobal.com/bestpractices.pdf).
In any case, if a user is dissatisfied with the service or if they simply change their mind, to opt-out from the service is very simple and can be performed by sending the keyword "STOP" via SMS to 63232 (END, QUIT, USUBSCRIBE are also valid), or by sending an email to info@dadamobile.com or by calling our toll-free number. Once a user has cancelled their subscription they will receive no further billing messages from us.
DADAmobile has also adopted a refund policy to reimburse unsatisfied users (e.g.. users that after subscribing understood that their handsets are not able to download products that they subscribed for).
Anyway if the user that triggered this thread wants to contact me personally, just send an email to info@dadamobile.com The Raw Feed in the subject.
What I cannot understand is when it is said "But if you ignore the message, you start getting charged": it sounds like if you ignore your monthly bill for the cable TV and leave it in the mail box you won't be charged. Anyway I am available for any explanation.
Thanks for your attention.
Max
DADAmobile are crooks I am 82 years old and they accuire your phone number calling as a "chairity" organization then send a bill thru your cell carrier to bill you for these services (that are basically non existant)
I received three charges in the last four days for so called services from Nov 05 Dec 05 and Jan 06 I am filling a complaint with the FCC and My cell provider...
I was charged $9.99 on 11/1/05 from dadamobile.com. I have cancelled my subscription (within 2 hours of signing up b/c I could not download anything onto my cell phone) during the free trial period therefore I should not have been billed by dadamobile.com. For the last 3 months, I have been trying to call their customer service number many times and all I get is a recorded message and that someone will call me back within 2days. No one called and no one have replied to my emails or given me a response. This is terrible, from this kind of experience, I do feel this is a scam.
Yep. Me too. Dadamobile is shameless about their claim that your phone can enter into a contract without your knowledge.
Here is what I sent to them, finally:
As you state in your quote below:
USERS UNDER EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OF AGE REQUIRE PARENTAL PERMISSION BOTH TO COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION PROCESS ON THE WEBSITE AND TO DOWNLOAD MOBILE CONTENT. Because you failed to obtain the required parental permission in this case, your contract is invalid under its own terms.
Refund every cent you have charged my phone, or I will call Prepaid Legal and let them handle this for me. It would be interesting to explore the web and see whether there are enough angry parents out there to file a class action suit to put a stop to your underhanded methods of gaining subscribers.
You had better forward this one on up the line to your supervisor. I'm a legal secretary and will fight you.
THIS is what they had emailed to me:
we understand your concerns about a minor subscribing to our service without your consent; it is our same concern and that is why we state very clearly on the website that our services are only available to users that are 18+ years of age. The same warning can be found in the terms and conditions of the service, that users should read and accept before subscribing:
---> "By either (i) completing the registration process on our website located at www.dadamobile.com or any successor website (the "Website"), OR (ii) downloading mobile content via Short Message Service ("SMS") to a mobile device (each, a "Download"), you are (A) AGREEING TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND (B) REPRESENTING THAT YOU ARE OF LEGAL AGE TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT. USERS UNDER EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OF AGE REQUIRE PARENTAL PERMISSION BOTH TO COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION PROCESS ON THE WEBSITE AND TO DOWNLOAD MOBILE CONTENT.
See also in the Subscription Info Link:
---> "In order to use the service you must be 18+ years of age or have bill payers permission, standard operator SMS/WAP/GPRS/UMTS charges apply."
We cannot verify the age of users who purchase our subscription since we are not the ones providing them with an internet connection or mobile phone, we are just offering a service. We're sorry for the inconvenience, but it is the responsibility of the legal owner of the phone to monitor its use.
--------------
This is no inconvenience, this is a theft of my $40!!!
Also, has anyone else noticed an sudden increase in all spam to their mailbox after contacting dadamobile?
I have filed complaints against DADAmobile now with the Better Business Bureau of NY and RipOffReport.com. I had a similar experience as others report - I just noticed these random, unexplained charges appearing on my cell phone bill! My provider is Cingular, and when I asked about the charges and told them I'd never subscribed to anything they credited me the amount. Unfortunately the charges not only kept appearing but increasing! I finally did some investigative work and traced the charges to DADAmobile, who interestingly enough had been sending me spam text messages to my cellphone.
You cannot possibly get a live person when you call DADAmobile, but at least I was able to "cancel" my so-called subscription with them.
I have never, ever, EVER in my life signed up for any of their services, downloaded any ringtones or any such garbage. DADAmobile is a scam and I hope they get prosecuted to the fullest extent for their unlawful business practices.
I got scammed by DADAmobile when a search for free sms messaging lead me to them. A small window popped up with HUGE letters saying "9 free text sms messages per month!" I had to enter my phone number to proceed. The moment you enter your cell phone number, they've got you! Now, I'm having to deal with a $9.99 charge (with tax, it comes to $10.59). Something didn't feel right about it, so the very next day, I sent them an e-mail asking them to cancel out anything I may have subscribed to. A month later, here's my bill and nothing has been done.
Max, your above post and the lengthy explanation sounds to me like a company trying to cover their... derrier! Your company fraudulently acquires "customers" who are truly just victims. There is nothing free about your business and in fact, I'm getting additional charges from my cell phone company every time I get a text message! Unbelievable.
DADAmobile is going to be looking down the barrel of a class action lawsuit if they don't get their act together and begin running a legitimate business. They need to be crystal clear about telling people what they are signing up for when they enter their phone number or open or reply to text messages they recieve on their phone. Heck, they may as well say "9 free text messages for only $9.99/month!" At least it'd be honest. The fact that so many people do NOT know what they're in for is substantial proof that DADAmobile is fraudulently representing themselves. I truly cannot comprehend how entering your phone number in a site can be binding or how a so-called "business" could be allowed to operate this way. It's criminal if you ask me.
I agree with the comment:
"Max, your above post and the lengthy explanation sounds to me like a company trying to cover their... derrier! Your company fraudulently acquires "customers" who are truly just victims. There is nothing free about your business and in fact, I'm getting additional charges from my cell phone company every time I get a text message! Unbelievable
The very same thing happened to me as to Jules above. I had searched for free ringtones, arrived at Dadamobile, which advertised free ringtones. I had to enter my phone number to search their ringtones. At the time I didn't think much of it.
Then some time later, I started receiving text message from them to my phone. I assumed it was phone spam, so I just deleted it. I *never* once replied to them to say "yes." All messages were deleted and ignored, and now I'm getting billed by Dadamobile.
I e-mailed Dadamobile, and I followed their instructions for cancelling (as Max outlines above) by sending a text message from my phone. I just keep getting an automatic reply back saying "Access Denied."
I am always careful before signing up for something I know is a paid service. None of Dadamobiles messages informed me I would be charged. I never agreed to be charged monthly, and I have never used their service.
I canceled my subscription immediately after the 1st day because I didn't like their product and yes I Text the 62222 code back to delete. Now I see a charge of 9.99 on my T-Mobile bill and I want it removed because I canceled my service. I also like many others have called that bogus # they give on the website which leads to a recorded voice and I also have completed the email form 2X and no response yet.
I myself am being scammed by this company. I have been getting charged for 2 months now for this service and until today I had no idea what it was. Now I know and I have called my cellphone provider and they have started an investigation reguarding this DADAmobile scam. All I can say is SHUT THEM DOWN!!!!!
I would like to address the issues to the customer that have been ripped off by dadamobile. I am a former employee of dadamobile and what these people are telling is the ABSOLUTE truth!!!!! It is a shame that I've had to basically lie to people about how the services were place on their phones. The inside scoop is that the call center has only been in existance since April 24, 2006 and at the first time of speaking to the customers I've had one of the worst experiences of my life. Just to think that the customers get treated unfairly so haven't the employees as well. In the past 2mos they have lost a total of 4employees out of 8., and you wondered why you couldn't talk to anyone. Hey they didn't have enough staff to support the amount of calls placed by customers. I will say on a average of 300 to 500 calls per day was lost due to the lack of support for dadamobile. The company orginates out of Italy and they are trying to set camp in the United States. I am totally discussed with dadamobile and the things that they have done to people. I don't want to wish bad on anyone but if you get down in the dirt please don't expect to come back up clean. I hope the FCC can put a stop on spam rip of artist such as dadamobile and all the other compeitors out there, it's a shame!
All of the sudden, messages from Dadamobile appearing on my corporate cell phone. It wasn't easy to figure out how to cancel. But finally I did - reply to the message you receive with "STOP (All)" (leave out the quotation marks and type in exactly as I suggested - caps/lower caps....
Most corporate account users will not pay close attention to these kinds of scam since they are not paying the bills out of their pockets. We see how unethical Dadamobile's business model is. Go to Hell Dadamobile!!!
Ever notice that "Max" always posts exactly the same message?, it's just a cut-and-paste comment, and makes no effort of an apology.
Combat these corporate types by supporting legitimate sms services. See SMS-TXT. They seem to offer a free service, they do ask for paypal donations though.
Laides & gentlemen, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE go to www.fcc.gov and click "Filing Complaints" to let the Federal Communications Commission deal with them. If enough of us complain, I hope Max and DadaMobile will see the light!!
i dont kno how to stop the messages and wen i do wut iv been told it says it cant understand wut i want and i didnt even sign up for it my friend did as a joke and i dont kno wut to do and im under 18
In response to Max or any other Dadamobile employee...
I am a professional in the mobile technology and marketing industry and am quite familiar with the MMA guidelines. Yet even I have had trouble understanding how you choose to communicate and support the terms of your service.
I chose to enter my mobile number and proceed with password verification on my phone after doing a search for the mosquito ringtone. I have a brand new Sony Ericsson, but was unable to access the link you sent for my FREE download. The link was invalid.
I immediately sent a message to your email support address, but received a bounce back that the email address was invalid, so of course I never received a response from your support team. I did not realize there was a support phone number until today, which I searched for 10 minutes and found buried in your T&C's (this is a VERY bad customer experience).
The same day I registered, I received several text messages that appeared to have nothing to do with your service (and also did not have opt-out messaging at the footer). After the 3rd msg, I responded to your short code with STOP, and was relieved of further text messages.
HOWEVER, despite the fact that I opted out of your service the day I registered and was within the week of free service you advertised, I was still billed via Cingular. Thankfully I called Cingular and explained the situation. They cancelled my subscription with you, and credited me the $9.99 (which I assume, and hope, means you will not be paid for my account). If I was still subscribed after having opted out, you are not managing your db properly.
I cannot tell you what a poor user experience you are creating. I work for a company that is trying to use mobile marketing as a respectful means of communicating with consumers about information they want to receive. Having read some of the responses in this forum and the brooding distaste for mobile marketing, I can see companies like yours are going to make it very difficult for the masses to accept SMS as a viable customer communication vehicle.
Shame on you for your irresponsibility.
Max:
My son was scammed by Dadamobile when he downloaded a "free" ringtone. He immediately cancelled the subscription according to your instructions but we were still charged $9.99. I have attempted to call the toll free number as you advise but the phone lines are also a scam - either constantly busy or you are put on hold indefinitely and never connected to a representative.
Your comments are hilarious - my son did not ignore the message and he was still charged. The toll free number is worthless. We also tried to contact Dadamobile via the internet at the address you suggested, and surprise, surprise - no response. I have complained to my wireless carrier about the unethical nature of DADAmobile's business and urged them to stop allowing DADAmobile to access their customers.
This company is a rip off, and it targets minors. I notice that they keep giving the same excuse to everyone. It's time to notify the FCC. Does anyone know where this company is located?
I also have had a problem with an unsolicited sms which caused us to become subscribed without our knowledge. We received no service or product, however we were charged $30.00 in one week period. I have had a response in regards to my problem and below is the contact I received from Dada Mobile. Enjoy!
Michael Pawlik via RT
mobi-au@crm.dada.net
Paolo Barberis is the guy who is responsible for this. A class action law suit against him might work. But one against all the cell phone carriers with the FTC and FCC backing will.
DADA SPA
Contact: DADA SPA
Registrant Address: Borgo Albizi 12
Registrant City: FIRENZE
Registrant Postal Code: 50122
Registrant Country: IT
Administrative Contact Organization: Paolo Barberis
Administrative Contact Name: Paolo Barberis
Administrative Contact Address: Borgo Albizi 12
Administrative Contact City: FIRENZE
Administrative Contact Postal Code: 50122
Administrative Contact Country: IT
Administrative Contact Email: dsr@dada.it
Administrative Contact Tel: +39 055 203941
Administrative Contact Fax: +39 055 2466304
Technical Contact Organization: Technical Support
Technical Contact Name: Technical Support
Technical Contact Address: Via A Ponti, 6
Technical Contact City: Bergamo
Technical Contact Postal Code: 24126
Technical Contact Country: IT
Technical Contact Email: support@register.it
Technical Contact Phone: +39 035 3230400
Technical Contact Fax: +39 035 3230312
Primary Name Server Hostname: RIVERA.DADA.IT
Secondary Name Server Hostname: ARP.DADA.IT
<< The subscription to DADAmobile is a two-part process. First, the user inserts their mobile phone number on a web page on us.dadamobile.com. >>
This statement is pure rubbish. I NEVER disclose my mobile number on-line, yet I've started receiving this SPAM over 3 consecutive nights. I am in Australia and the website displayed has an "au" preceding the mobi.dada URL. Naturally I have simply deleted these without response, so I'm unsure about being charged at this point. What I am piked off about is these messages are received in the middle of the night and early hours of the morning, which is illegal in this country. There are clear demarcation boundaries around times for this type of "marketing." As such I have already instigated legal action.
I was scammed too. Never subscribed and never authorized anyone to use Dadamobile. Sprint tells me they have blocked Dadamobile from billing me so let's see if they can stop it.
HAS ANYONE FOUND OUT ANY INFORMATION FOR THE AUSTRALIAN SUBSIDARY OF THESE SCAMMERS? I HAVE CONTACETD THE ACCC BUT JUST WAITING FOR THEM TO GET BACK TO ME.
WELL THE ACCC PHONED ME TODAY, SEEMS LIKE THEY HAVE HAD A FEW COMPLAINTS!
I unfortunately happened upon dada mobile via albumbase.com. I thought I was just requesting additional information-not actually subscribing. And the mobile# is for my 11 year old son. They don't even support his phone. He has a prepaid account and his balance was zero just a few days after adding more money to his account. I saw a $10.09 charge referencing Premium SMS. I had to call Verizon, our provider, to find out who the heck charged us. I called dada mobile on 9/25. I explained the situation; the subscription was cancelled. However, I was told my request for credit would be forwarded to the Billing Dept. and that IF I were to get a refund it could take up to 60 days and would be issued by check. I had to give my mailing info. and daytime phone. I waited a week; no one contacted me. I called back yesterday and was told that it can take up to 60 day to find out IF I'm getting a refund. This is OUTRAGEOUS and PATHETICALLY POOR customer service. Word of mouth is a powerful thing. Dadamobile BEWARE!
This happened to my mobile as well, actually the mobile I gave to my daughter. Even you SMS 'STOP' to 191200 (Australia)to unsubscribed this company still charges you $5. This is rediculous!
I'm filing a complaint to the Australia Comsumer Affair as Dada mobile dealt with under age children and failure checking the permission from parents.
hey, this all sounds very familiar, they are sneaky, i just had a rant about it on,
www.dadmobilearescammers.blogspot.com check it out.
Ok heres what happened to me. I didn't sign up for anything, never do, all of a sudden I get a SMS from this 191200 number, with a password, then I get another asking me to SMS "ok".
I have not done anything , except search this number on google which lead me here. Will I still get charged even though I did Not SMS back ? or enter that password?
Don't do anything. Keep the SMS in the inbox for evidence. Check the phone bill or ring up mobile service provider to check for any charge from MBLOX or Dadamobile. You should lodge your complaint online with Australia Consumer affair at URL below:
http://www.consumer.vic.gov.au
YEAP, me too! I don't even download ringers and other junk like that, I have never even heard of this company, until my sprint bill arrived with the mysterious charges. When I called DADA I did get a CSR on the phone, who was very familar with this song and dance and had all of her rebutals ready for me. She even told me that I should be more careful with who has my cell phone, I am an adult, kids don't play on my phone and I don't leave it laying around. So I am not buying the whole 'someone' signed you up thing. She unsubscribed me immediately, but where my problem was with the refund policy that Max said has been adopted! CSR said that she will put in a request for a refund, it is not guaranteed and will take 60 days to get a check back for $19.98! Then she asked for my last name. I can not believe that they are trying to say that I have entered a contract with them but they don't even know my name! I refused to give her any more personal information and she said the refund process has been initated. I told her I felt scammed and ripped off and I asked what state are they operating out of. She said EAST COAST, I told her NO, I asked for the state so that I can file reports with the appropiate burreau's. She would not tell me where they are located. I found it on my own and so far have posted complaints with NY BBB, consumer affairs and NY's Attorney General. Sprint did refund my money as a courtesy to a loyal customer, but I am still complaining about DADA. They need to be stopped!
hey if you do the cancellation by text by typing STOP to 63232 does it stop chraging you? just a question
I am an angry prepaid user who unknowingly provided my number to Dadamobile.
At the time I was using a mobile phone without credit, therefore had no way to remove my number from their service, as they require an SMS message to unsubscribe. What a crock. I even emailed them multiple times asking for my number to be removed from their dadabase (bad pun?).
Anyway, after forgetting about it for a few months. I put credit on my mobile phone a few weeks back. I have since discovered I have lost atleast $10 credit on this disservice.
I am very unhappy with this disservice provided.
Im a regular subscriber to verizon and never once for 3 years had any texting issues, now out of the friggin blue, i start racking up these premium SMS charges, upon research I found out DADAmobile and let me tell you they are NOT the only ones up to this. This ridiculous service, along with thier bullshit company needs to have their asses handed to them. I am completely and thoroughly pissed off. If I Ever come across the owned or proprieter of any of these companies, may God have mercy on their soul.
DADAMobile Australia is also a super fraud company. One fine day they started sending me the downloading SMS; I was simply deleting all those messages and when finally I received the bill they have cahrged me $40 for nothing. I even didn't subscribed to their services ever. I am trying to get this charged reversed with no luck at all. Kindly help!
I have experience the same as you guys. The dont want to refund me... But after reading your comments I will continue fighting for my rights! I didn't put my number on their website... someone else did it. I just got a text with the optional "reply yes". It didn't say anything about any charge. I thought a friend tried to send me a text from the internet and I replied "ÿes" in the text to be able to see the free sms my friend send me, and after a month a found out what has been going on after talking to Vodafone about my wierd bills.
Max... Your company have a problem... On the website it's all transparent and easy to understand terms and conditions, but jesus it's far from transparent if you, as me, just get a text/sms that's not telling you anything about terms and conditions!! At least just be honest in your texts and write what will happend if you reply "YES".
Any tips to how I can get my money/credit back?? All this is a longer story, but this is just a resume of what have happend... Any company you can contact so they can might solve the problem?
Have any other UK residents had money extracted from their accounts by Dadamobile and their sidekick MBLOX? They have taken £81 from my account, claiming that I subscribed on their website. I have never subscribed. Now they are blocking e-mails from me as I have asked for hard facts on my alleged subscription. ICSTIS is interested in the case so if any UK residents have had a similar problem, contact them with the facts of this massive scam.
I just ran across this DADA.NET scam today. My phone was subscribed when someone innocently tried to click onto a "free ringtone" being offered by some web site being visited.
When I picked up my phone a few minutes ago I found a bunch of stupid text messages and learned what this was about. I went to the dada.net site and wrote and email, then I also UNSUBSCRIBED to any service that my phone may have found itself being submitted for by calling their toll free number.
Currently I'm still waiting for the confirmation text that is supposed to come to confirm I've been unsubscribed.
Though the spam messages I received came instantly the moment my phone was subscribed I've yet to receive this confirmation that I'm unsubscribed. I hope that nothing appears on my next bill as I never wanted or used this so-called "service".
Dada.net is a scam operation. Period. Any honest organization would not be resorting to trickery. So the Dada guy can cram that sales pitch as far as I'm concerned.
- J
When I asked for facts about my alleged subscription, Dadamobile suddenly said they would refund me. BUT so far, not a penny has been repaid and they fail to respond to all my communications. What a scam organisation! Anyone else in the UK interested in contacting ICSTIS about Dada and M-BLOX?
I just saw the $9.99 charge on my phone bill and looked into it. Looks like I've been charged this fee for the last 10 months. I called the company and got an operator in India. They canceled my subscription but refused to give a refund, even after I pointed out I hadn't used ANY of their services EVER! What a shady company, I can't believe I didn't pick up on this sooner. I assumed the 9.99 was for my unlimited Sprint Vision plan, but now I see that was a seperate line on my billing. After I file with the FCC, BBB, and Sprint, I'm going to consult with my attorney and discuss something more intrusive.
Max...sounds like a russian name...
you better not be my computer science class mate...
i am gonna beat you up
I hope Max gets beheaded by the FCC...
I'm muslim...so PUN intended.
b
shanny
shanny
This dadamobile sucks - I have 2 9.99 charges for items absolutely not ordered and now I get to fight with cell phone carrier to get a credit. Anyone have a phone # for them?
First and foremost, the number is 888 214-0381 in the US.
I just realized that dada.net has been billing me since AUGUST. My phone bill is expensive enough. I just assumed that I made a few directory assistance calls or something…I had no idea that I was being billed for a service that I did not authorize. When I asked that they refund me the money since I NEVER used any of the services that I NEVER subscribed for, they refused and said that it wasn't their policy give refunds after 24 hours of the subscription. In other words....If you are 'signed up' for this great service by some dubious method and you are not made aware of the extortion until you receive your bill (assuming you actually read every line of your 14 page cell phone bill) , you WILL NOT receive a refund since more than 24 hours has passed since the initiation of your subscription. EVEN if you NEVER used the service! This company is simply fraudulent. To make matters worse, dada.net does not actually provide a real service, they just spam your with text message advertisements. I had no idea that I was PAYING for the aggravation!
I encourage everyone to complete a complaint with the FCC. I am a victim as well, at least I only was charged for one month...
When trying to get this issue resolved I had to wait for 19 minutes to speak with a manager, but finally, after a heated argument with the person who initially recieved my call, I got a "manager" who gave me a ticket number, and said he would send me a check. Now, I wonder if it will ever arrive...very doubtful.
I think they're banking on the fact that most people won't waste the time to recoup $10.00 in charges, etc. Let's prove them wrong.
Customer "service" number 888-214-0381
Write your Congressman too. I did!
What the?
Ive been flogged 10.00 dollars call credit and 10.00 text credit i want my credit back!!!!!
Can any one help me ?
I almost canceled my tmobile service because of this atrocity that dada.net has done! The thing is, I think once you text STOP to them, they actually START charging you for their supposed service! Thanks to tmobile for their excellent customer service, this number (and 2 other stupid third party services) are blacklisted on my fone. And they already gave me credit to intercept the charges dada.net has made. I'm filing a complaint w/ the fcc too. ---- Wendy
If you were charged on your cell phone bill for ringtones or other mobile content that you never authorized and/or you were sent unsolicited SMS text messages and you want to fight back against these companies, get in touch with some class action attorneys.
These fellows are investigating unauthorized cell phone charges and wireless SMS text spam and might be able to help you:
http://www.ClassActionConnect.com/?q=node/680
I've been scammed!DADA has tapped into my cell phone and want 4.99 for ring tones and text. I am 55 years old.I don't use this crap.
Dada Earns $144 million in 2006 While International Business Accounts for 37% of Total Revenue
FLORENCE, Italy -- Dada S.p.A. (MTAX MTAX - Master of Taxation STAR Segment of the Italian Stock Exchange: DA.MI), an international leader in the provision of Web and mobile community and entertainment services and parent company of Dada USA, released its year end financials for 2006 where the company's revenue hit Euro 111.4 million ($144.87 million), a 59.4% increase from 2005.
"Dada S.p.A has seen some excellent growth over the past couple of years. What's really evident to us this year is our international business revenue, much of which is attributed to our launch and growing presence in the United States," said Paolo Barberis, Dada S.p.A. CEO. "Dada is committed to continuing to nurture this market and we expect consolidated revenues of between Euro 140 million ($186 million) and Euro 150 million ($199 million) for 2007."
Dada's international holdings brought in an estimated Euro 41.14 million ($53.5 million) for the company in 2006 accounting for 37% of the companies total revenue. In the 4th Quarter international revenues jumped to 40% of sales, compared to 15% in Q4 2005.
Dada offers consumer and entertainment services to over seven million users world wide through the community Dada.net and the brands life.Dada.net love.Dada.net, and mobi.Dada.net. These Web and mobile based services are characterized by a rich range of fee-based community and entertainment products and services to communicate, entertain and educate. In 2006 Dada introduced the same services to the US Market.
my 15 yr old daughter has been scammed also. her credit was always running out. i rang optus prepaid who informed us that mobi dada had been taking funds since april 2007. i have been intouch with mobi dada they have said they will refund the money.that was over a month ago. $35.00 that we know about. I am going to keep sending them emails everday if i have to. be aware that free sms mate could be linked as my daughter was signed up with them. i sent emails to free sms as mobi dada was linked with there web site. they will not reply to any of my emails. we have blocked all sites related to both. IT'S NOT RIGHT.PEEVED PARENT.
Why is everyone getting so upset with Dadamobile instead of the telecoms (T-Mobile, Sprint, Cingular, ...) who are responsible for the billing. After all, it is the telecom company that I am having a contract with and they are charging me. Since I never had any business relation with Dadamobile in the first place, I should not have to deal with them for any refunds directly. The telecom company would have to prove that the charges on the account are legitimate. They would have to go to Dadamobile to get prove, not me as the end user.
Max you are right we are all a bunch of stupid people. I to as all the people on this blog some how unknowingly signed up for dada.net. This service is a scam. You are a crook. I agree that that the cell phone companies need to be held liable for the third party scams they biil for.
Well that's all well and good Max.
MY daughter has not opted in to the first or the second confirmation. So how is it that you can take money off her phone.
Be aware that on the site of free sms mate.com.au it has MOBI DADA at top of page.
I sent emails to free sms mate to ask if they were linked with mobi dada and to this day the only replies that i recieved back were automated replies from dad net, which to this day have still not been answered. Can you answer that one MAX? I am pleased to say that after over 3 months of constant requests that my daughters money finally been refunded. MOBI DADA has finally refunded that money, so to all those people i say keep on at them. there are people out there being ripped off. persistance has payed off . If everyone that has been ripped off doesn't get there refunds back you should all form an alliance and take them to court, i reckon the web site should be shut down, but that won't happen because there making to much money off us all.perhaps we can get a petition going or forward as much information to people warning them.
wilI ask you Max asy u offer a refundCan u tell me how long that refund takes if your not happy with the service?
I also got Spamed from 191200 (Australia).
In Nov, I did not notice it on our 'My Soul' Mobile account as their was 2 extra charges. We just received the Dec 08 account and I looked more closely as their were 10 extra charges @ $4.540/SMS with the number dialed being... '3rd PartyPromo/Download' totalling $45.40. Let me say, like others out there. We have never subscribed or even heard of these company. I only can across this when researching.
Now I know there is a link between DadaMobile and M-Blok.
I called Soul in Au that I must have given my number on the internet. I mentioned that I never have and definitely did not subscribe to any of these services. Soul mentioned that I should take this up with M-Blok and she said she would e-mail the company to un-subscribe. This was a few days ago and today I Just received another SMS from 191200.
I have had so much trouble and run around from this. It was almost impossible to contact 'My Soul' for Billing enquiry. I got through to someone when I when thru Customer Service for New Account. Soul gave me to numbers for M-Blok, 1300 658 360 and 1 800 55 58 83. Impossible numbers if you know what I mean.
I asked Soul if there any way to block this and they said NO.
(Its hard to beleive that even the mobile provider know about this and are unable or reluctant to Stop it from their end.
Today I SMS 'STOP' to 191200 (Australia)to unsubscribe, even now I am uncertain if I the spamming will continue. It pisses me off this these business(s) is fraudulently making so much money from this and getting off. How do we stop them. Has anyone had success in AU when lodging a complaint to the consumer affairs or TIO. Please help to put a halt to them.
Interested to know where to go from here.
Thanks for reading.
Still pissed.
I am NOT paying for the charges that DADAmobile.com is charging me, and I don't even care if my phone is shut off, this is such a scam and I am pissed off and frustrated by it. You are a LIAR and will never see any $$$ from me!! thanks for NOTHING.
Julie
Only, DADA tells you that if you do not respond, then you have not signed up. It is a lie, and a scam. I thought my son was doing something sly when I saw it on his bill, but then it showed up on mine, and I never even went there. I ignored their message, because it said not responding meant you had not agreed to it.
Unknowingly I've been paying $9.99 for "Dadamobile" for over a year. Everytime I recieved one of their messages I just Deleted it, thinking thats the end of it. I just noticed it on my last bill, and looked back at previous bills. I'm so pissed at the moment, I want to sue!. I called "Dadamobile, and it was like they weren't going to refund me. Then they will refund me for 3 months, what about the other 9+ months?. Please direct me to a "Class Action".
I have just found the same as several of you. I never signed up for this service, but yet I am charged.
I have never and will never sign up to have anything sent to my phone, hell, there's nothing out there that I want...I'm too old for the stuff I see there
At last I have found somewhere to vent my anger.
My wife has never subscribed to Dada and does not have a computer. For the past 2 years when she recharges her sim card it was immediately drained. I blamed her for not hanging up etc. so she only used the phone for incomings. She was given a new phone recently so had $20 top up on the sim. Immediately drained so she tried a new sim but it still happened.
I have tried to unsubscribe her by land line but dada says it has to be done via the registered mobile phone. Have to text STOP to a 1900 number (which is a premiumm number). This now becomes impossible to do as calls can not be made from the registered phone as it is immediately drained of funds when topped up.
I too have reported the scam
At last I have found somewhere to vent my anger.
My wife has never subscribed to Dada and does not have a computer. For the past 2 years when she recharges her sim card it was immediately drained. I blamed her for not hanging up etc. so she now only used the phone for incomings. She was given a new phone recently so had $20 top up on the sim. Immediately drained so she tried a new sim but it happened yet again.
I have tried to unsubscribe her by land line but dada says it has to be done via the registered mobile phone. Have to text STOP to a 1900 number (which is a premiumm number). This now becomes impossible to do as calls can not be made from the registered phone as it is immediately drained of funds when topped up.
I too have reported the scam
fucking Australian....
SORRY...something wrong..Fucking Australian 191200
The cell phone companies in the UK keep 20% to 50% share of the revenue before it's passed on to companies like MBlox.
How much are US cell phone operators taking as their share of this fraudulent billing?
I too have been scammed where I had a 9.99 charge on my verizon bill for 'premium services' When I called Verizon she stated I signed up for the service via my phone! NOT!!!!! What I did get was a text message from dada.net to subcribe to their service - I texted back STOP and thought that was the end of it. NO - Verizon states that dada.net will generate cell phone numbers and when one answers, the text is sent and you are unknowingly subscribed to their service and will go on your wireless carriers bill!!! Then I tried texting 5 times to dada.net 632-32 UNSUBCRIBE but each time dada.net texted back unable to process request - and one time stated 'blocked - only administrator can process request'- aren't I the administrator of my own phone! Sucks, even our government allows such scams!!!!
I got a Virgin pre-paid on Monday, but my overseas phone was locked and I couldn't even boot it. Two days later, I get a loaner phone, put in the new SIM - and there's no credit. Logging onto the Virgin Mobile site, I see there are four premium SMS messages at $5 each received on Monday and Tuesday.
The phone wasn't connected at any point before Wednesday, so there's no way anyone sent any subscriptions, or got any "send stop to opt out" notices.
Ouch. Is this someone's old number Virgin dumped on me, or do they pay operator employees to leak new subscriptions?
Calling Virgin tomorrow.
Angry.
I am in Australia, a retired and invalid pensioner, aged 68. I have just STOPped having my mobile account emptied systematically by DADAmobile. I think I got a "free" ringtone, about two to three months ago. It was terrible, anyway. They apparently then sent me two $5 SMS messages on 9th, 10th and 11th September, WHEN MY MOBILE WAS SWITCHED OFF! I only use my mobile for phoning out, in emergencies. The rest of the time it is turned off. When I was in an emergency yesterday, 21st September, and tried to phone my wife at home, there was no money in my account. I had topped it up three weeks ago, with $30, but that had been "drained" by DADA. Is there no legal comeback to prevent this blatant theft? I would like to think that I couldget my $30 back, but what chance against such thieving scoundrels as this mob!
Max, you are a shameless person who is working with a bunch of crooks. Both of my kids phones were slammed into your system because of your cell phone spam. They are both under the age of 18, so you cannot legally enter into a contract with them! I have filed a complaint with the attourney general and added my info to a class action lawsuit against unscrupulous predators such as yourself(Dada, CSW Freeze Mobile). I hope that you go bankrupt and loose everything near and dear to you!
well yo would think we would all kwow better by now. But NOOOOOOOO!
I got scamed just the other day by this same rip off artist dada.net... I was on google looking for "free christian themed cell phone wallpaper", found a link. I clicked on it and it was full of images. Foud a nice image of Jesus, clicked on it, was asked to enter my cell phone number. I recieed a text meesage with a code. Asked me to enter the code and then was directly taken to DADA.net. After now being sucked in and charged I found that the original photo I clicked on was not even available on their site. Tracked down a phone number for them and it was a call center in India. Got them to cancle the subscription bt they said I would still be charged the first $9.99
I have opend a complaint with the NY, CA and Federal AGO. Also the Federal Cumunications B which monitors web use. Dada contact me and said they would give me full refund within 5 days. We will wait to see what shows up. I am betting it will be another charge!
I got scammed to. It does say free ringtones. You do get charged. I think everyone should open command prompt and type
ping -t dada.net
and leave it running.om
A bunch of crooks - plain and simple!!!!! I was "had" through Facebook. A popup said that if I entered my telephone number and then got the code off there and entered it I wouldn't have to get these pop ups anymore requiring me to give my password. WHAT A BUNCH OF CROOKS!!!! Nowhere did it say anything about ring tones or DADAmobile. You guys are seriously crooks and frankly, liars.
FRAUDSTERS!! And LIARS!!
My 12 yr old started receiving spam from dadamobile (Australia) which cost her $15 before her credit ran out. This was completely unsolicited, she never replied YES to any sms etc. We'll be taking this up immediately with the Telecom Ombudsman. Dadamobile should be fined heavily & run completely out of business.
I don't even think I signed up for dadamobile. But yet.. I think I'm gettin charged for it.. how is that?
DADA = thief. Just got text message saying I was subscriber. Never subscribed. Call toll-free number. Indian (of course) rep offers to refund my $9.99. Never mentions until further questioning that I had already been billed for 4 months. Now I had to give them my address to receive a check for refund. Hmmm? Am calling Verizon, fcc etc
Clearly a scam/theft situation.
If Max is for real, give us your tel no. Preferably your cell so we can sign you up.
u have to pay 40 cents a song, 9.99 a month like jamster
Dadamobile is basically a criminal scheme deigned to entrap children, above all. My 12-year-old daughter's phone has been receiving unsolicited messages from Dadamobile and she only noticed that she was being billed for this, when her $30 credit ran out. I rang Optus, her mobile provider, and they gave me the number for Dadamobile (1300 794 705). This number offers an "unsubscribe" option - this clearly didn't work because we tried that and when I rang back to check with an actual person, her account was still active. When I started telling the person at Dadmobile that they were scamming a minor, who had not knowingly entered into any contract with them, he offered to terminate her "subscription" and to refund the charges incurred so far. I still have to see whether this actually works, as he needed my email address to initiate the process of sending me a refund cheque.
I will take this up with Optus, who need to bar Dadamobile from ever contacting my daughter again, and with the Australian Communication Ombudsman. It is not right that businesses are allowed to operate in this way - preying on inexperienced young people. From all the posts in this blog I could not find a single person who stated that they received any goods or services from Dadamobile that they wanted or that they could use. The whole company is set up to STEAL money from young people. How can this sort of thing be allowed to operate for years, all around the world?
DADA is the third Company to have charged my phone for services I never signed up for. The two previous times I called the companies and demanded a refund and both times they refunded my money, no questions asked. It seems to me that they know perfectly well what they are doing, it should be up to the service providers to notify their clients prior to to subscription of said services.
The first complaints are dated 2006 and now it's 2009 and this company is still in existence and is still ripping off customers. Can't cell phone providers institute a blocking mechanism to prevent this company's shortcode from being used on their phones?
Can't someone put an end to this company? What will it take to rid the world of wretches like the ones behind dada.net?
Come on, computer hackers. You know how to bring companies to their knees. Do it already!
Yeah this crap scammed me too haha, i called them twice now to rage on them and get my 15 bucks back haha, its only 15 bucks but still? i hate that crap and they said they were gunna send my refund check back, hasnt come its been a month haha i just got back to them today and she ASSURED me it was "coming". But i Definately gave her a piece of my mind and went off on her for a while haha, just thought id let you guys know
Some of the complaints are way back from 2006 and it's 2009 now and still this DADA thing is able to fleece victims at their will.Seems like they stick to the strategy of getting less amounts out of the victims rather than of those NIGERIAN scams.I am clueless how I am charged HK$40 for something that I have never known or subscribed.I am wondering how the mobile phone service providers are not reacting to these, without doubt they are aware of DADA's existence and the SCAM and the innumerable complaints.
The truth is that the phone companies sell access to their clients' accounts to "content providers" such as Dada. You have to actively opt out of this - Optus did it for us without any problem, you just need to know what to ask for.
Google'd "hollywood undead" ringtones.
"http://www.dada.net" looked promising enough, and after I entered my cell number and pin, I tried to download one of their "free ringtones".
I waited 15 mins for my ringtone and no such think appeared. I said to myself "fucking scamers are going to get assraped by my lawyer " and now im taking action. The point is...
dada is a scam, dont use their "service" you will be charged $10 canadian a month.
I would like to respond directly to Max's comments, after unsuspectingly wishing to download what I thought was a free ringtone I was directed to dada.net and asked to put in my mobile number I recieved a sms with a number to confirm on the internet. I have taken your advise and tried to send an sms with stop to 63232 but it will not send..........so I would like to ask you Max as a representative of this company how do I stop this scam? You also did not give your toll free number?
Hi all. I had the same problem as most of you here. I called AT&T - they are removing the bogus charge, cancelled the "subscription", and put some pin code protection option on my service to help prevent this. I took it a step further and had them shut off texting/sms all togehter since apparently AT&T allows you to do that.
WOW! are these guys ever scammers. I can not get them off my bill. I have been charged for the last 6 months. It used to be called mythumb on my bill and now it is data.net. They are digitally pickpocketing me and the worst part is I can not get them off my damn bill every month. I called shaw (the provider in BC, Canada) and they said email them. So I did, but it did not help! this is unbelievable.
I am the ONLY user of my cell phone, do not use ringtones and have never replied to or authorized dada.net for services. Yet, here I am being charged. SCAM!
this is BS! i was charged for something that i did not use, it did not say anywhere that i would get charged 13 dollars after I cancel the service, which i did right away. The customer service representative did not help at all and was very rude!
I just received my ATT bill and a $9.99 charge was added from dada.net. on my daughter's number. I told her she would have to pay for it, but she said she never ordered or subscribed for ANYTHING from them. I told her she must have, or they wouldn't have charged me. She swore she never used them. I didn't believe her until I read the posts on this website. Now I am going back to ATT to cancel and refund the charge from this ripoff company.
I walked into that scam myself. I never finalized the e-mail. I immediately called AT&T (within 10 minutes) and DADA had already posted a $9.99 charge. Fortunately, AT&T will stop DADA from further charges and will transmit back to DADA for a refund.
I too just got done yelling at my daughter for this 9.99 charge that appeared on my AT&T bill. After a little research, though, I quickly determined dada.net is one huge scam. AT&T was very helpful in getting resolution: They cancelled the subscription and were crediting my account. I too am suprised that after so many years, this scam is still going on.
TOTAL SCAM! I discovered an extra $9.99 on my AT&T bill this month, figured out it was from Dada and immediately called to stop the subscription.
The customer rep at Dada was rude, wanted to "help" me download the junk they'd sent and refused to refund the $9.99. He did cancel the subscription and assured me there would be no additional charges - just the $9.99.
Then I called AT&T to see if they could help me get a refund. Not only did the customer rep refund the $9.99 but she discovered another $9.99 charge from Dada and refunded that one too.
Total effing scam artists! Send a complaint to the FCC, tell all your friends about them and find every blog/website out there and let the world know about these super scamming lowlifes!
I too was SCAMMED BY DADA - they attached themselves to my cell charges - and contrary to the script read to me by their customer service rep - I HAVE NEVER SUBSCRIBED TO DADA ONLINE, OR OTHERWISE.
I noticed the $9.99 charge on my cell bill and contacted the carrier to discover how i was being charged for services i never used or requested. I did, however, recognize the DADA name from the annoying promo messages i was receiving on my phone - all of which were deleted to avoid any possible purchases or "permission" for same.
All in all DADA IS STEALING! PLEASE REPORT THEM TO THE FCC (as I and others have). WE CAN AND MUST STOP THESE CROOKS.
I had the same problem as many others here. My mother's phone got subscribed to dada - she probably put her number in for a free ringtone somewhere, but I can't get the straight story.
I called them and they claim they will be refunding the charge via a check in the mail. I'll believe it when I see it.
They also claim that I must have opted in by verifying my subscription on the phone before the charges were actually applied. This never happened. They started charging as soon as the number was entered on the web site. My mother said she never even got the ringtone.
This business sounds more like the kind that just charges people randomly, and hopes to rake in enough money from the ones who don't notice they are being charged every month. Very shady.
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