I got the first text from 584-97 on March 20 of this year. Here is what the text read:

MobibroIQ Fun Facts billed at $9.99/mo. Msg&Data Rates May Apply. Reply HELP for help. Enter UR password on the website to continue: 3489

I ignored the text, mainly because I never want to sign up for fun facts.  Then just hours later, the second text came in:

MobibroIQ:  Welcome to IQ!  For HELP call 18888906150  $9.99/mo for 3msgs/wk.  Reply HELP for help, Reply STOP to cancel.  Msg&Data Rates May Apply.

Not one to fall for scams, I did NOT reply STOP to cancel.  Still, I had not signed up for anything, so I am good to go, right?  Well, maybe not.  The next message came later that day:

Guess What?  Panama is the only place where the sun rises on the Pacific and sets on the Atlantic.  Normally it's the other way around.  For HELP call 18888906150

Still, not having signed up for anything, I didn't worry about it.  Then, exactly one month later (today), I get another text from the number 584-97:

Guess what?  The placement of a donkeys eyes on its head enables it to see all four feet at all times!! For HELP call 18888906150.

No problem, I STILL haven't signed up for anything.  Then, just two hours later, I get THIS text:

MobibroIQ Fun Facts has billed @ $9.99/mo.  Reply HELP for help, Reply STOP to cancel.  Msg&Data Rates May Apply.

584-97
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Okay, I still hadn't signed up for anything, but I was getting tired of getting texts from 584-97!!  So I searched for the number online, and found that several people, even though they ALWAYS ignored the messages, were billed $9.99 for the texts.  Ugh!  So, my next move was to get on the phone with customer service.  I DREAD CALLING CUSTOMER SERVICE (especially AT&T).  But, I had to do something, so I made the call.

Much, MUCH to my surprise, Daniel, my customer service representative (after verifying my identity blah blah blah) was VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE about my problem.  He knew exactly what was going on, and when he checked my bill, he confirmed that I had been charged!

Quickly and painlessly, Daniel refunded the charges AND blocked my phone from being able to get charged automatically for downloads (the download "family" is what the charges are filed under).

As Daniel was working on my problem (it really only took 5 minutes on the phone with him), I get ANOTHER text from 584-97, this one stated:

MOBIBROIQ:  This msg confirms that u have discontinued and will no longer receive messages or charges for this service.  Call 18888906150 for help.

Music to my ears.. er, um, Text to my eyes!!  Ha!!

So, if you have received texts from 584-97 (or any other number) with Fun Facts, it may be in your best interest to call your carrier to make sure that you aren't being billed for the texts.

 

(Via SMSwatchdog.com)

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