Thumbplay.com Plays Games with Consumers

About a month ago, I purchased a BlackBerry Curve from Verizon Wireless. I was pleased with the customer service at the Verizon store, and I was satisfied with my voice/data plan and new phone.

One of my favorite BlackBerry applications is the Pandora application. Because it’s free to use, Pandora runs pop-up ads on the interface. One recurring ad is for Thumbplay.com, a company that provides mobile content. According to their website, Thumbplay “features licensed music, video and games from some of the world’s largest entertainment companies…”.

(Pictured at left: BlackBerry bush, by Honou)

Curious about how I could get new music on my phone, I signed up for a Thumbplay.com account (new users must enter a phone number). I did not agree to any charges. Within a half hour, I realized that Verizon does not allow Thumbplay content on their mobile phones, and I immediately canceled my account.

On my most recent Verizon bill, I was charged $9.99 for “Premium Text Messaging”. Sure that Verizon had made a mistake, I called customer service, and the representative explained that the charge was from a third party: Thumbplay.com. Verizon could not reverse the charge, but they told me they could block future charges once I canceled my Thumbplay account. However, I don’t even have a Thumbplay account!

I was I had known that Thumbplay.com is known for screwing over their “customers”. In 2008, a major lawsuit was filed against the company. “According to the suit…the rapidity with which the mobile content industry has grown has led to ‘a disastrous flaw:’ Billing and collection systems put in place by companies like Thumbplay have no ‘checks or safeguards’ to protect against unauthorized charges showing up on customers’ bills.” Other angry consumers have shared similar experiences.