Fake AT&T Premium SMS Content Subscription Scam
Scammers enrol AT&T customers in premium-rate SMS content subscriptions without genuine consent, or impersonate AT&T to push customers into activating paid services that appear on their monthly bill.
Part of: Mobile Premium SMS Subscription Scams
Last reviewed: 8 June 2026
AT&T's billing infrastructure allows third-party content providers to charge fees directly to a customer's mobile bill — a system that has historically been abused by dishonest operators. Customers may be enrolled in weekly SMS horoscopes, joke services, or ringtone clubs for a few dollars per week without clearly understanding they are subscribing.
In the impersonation variant, a text message appearing to come from AT&T's short-code offers a 'bonus feature' or 'content add-on' and asks the customer to reply YES to activate it. The charge then appears on the next AT&T bill from a third-party provider name that bears no obvious connection to the original text.
AT&T customers have the right to request a 'Premium Services Block' on their account, which prevents any third-party charges from appearing on their bill. This block is free and can be activated at any time through the myAT&T app or by calling AT&T's customer service number.
How this scam works on the AT&T brand
The fraudulent text mimics AT&T's short-code and reads: 'Your AT&T account has a new bonus — daily horoscope updates FREE for 7 days, then $4.99/week. Reply YES to activate.' Once the customer replies YES, the subscription is active and billed weekly through AT&T's third-party content billing system.
A website variant triggers subscriptions when customers enter their phone number on a sweepstakes or competition site. Fine print discloses the subscription, but it is formatted to be easily overlooked on a mobile screen. The customer never explicitly agreed to a recurring charge.
Charges show up on the AT&T bill as 'Premium Messaging — [Company Name]' at $4.99 or $9.99 per week. With multiple overlapping subscriptions, the total monthly drain can reach $30-60 before the customer notices.
Common red flags
- Your AT&T bill contains recurring charges from a company name you do not recognise under 'Premium Messaging' or 'Third Party Charges'
- A text arrives asking you to reply YES to receive a 'bonus feature' or 'content add-on' on your AT&T account
- You entered your phone number on a website that offered a competition entry or free daily content
- The charge began shortly after you replied to an unsolicited text or visited a promotional website
- Calling the number associated with the charge reaches an automated system with no clear cancellation pathway
- AT&T's website shows no record of a service change matching the charge date
How to protect yourself
- Log in to the myAT&T app and review your current bill for any 'Premium Messaging' or 'Third Party Services' line items
- Call AT&T at 1-800-331-0500 and request a 'Premium Services Block' to prevent future third-party charges — this is free
- Reply STOP to any premium SMS service to attempt cancellation, then verify the charge disappears on the next bill
- Dispute unrecognised charges with AT&T directly; carriers are required to investigate cramming complaints
- Never reply YES to unsolicited texts offering free trials with any recurring charge
- Report the issue to the FCC if AT&T does not resolve it satisfactorily
How to report it
- Report unrecognised charges to AT&T customer service at 1-800-331-0500
- File a cramming complaint with the FCC at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov
- Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Forward suspicious texts to 7726
Frequently asked questions
I entered my number on a sweepstakes site — how do I find out if that site enrolled me in something?
Check your AT&T bill for any new 'Premium Messaging' or third-party line items that started around the time you entered the sweepstakes, since that's usually the trigger point. If you find one, you can dispute it with AT&T and request the Premium Services Block to prevent it recurring.
Can multiple small subscriptions really add up to a noticeable amount?
Yes — several overlapping weekly subscriptions from different unfamiliar providers can add up to a meaningful amount over a few months without ever showing as a single large, obviously suspicious charge. This is part of why cramming schemes often go unnoticed for a long time.
Does blocking premium SMS affect legitimate services I actually want, like two-factor authentication codes?
No — a Premium Services Block specifically targets billed content subscriptions, not standard SMS messages like two-factor codes or appointment reminders, which don't charge your bill. You can safely enable the block without losing normal text messaging functionality.
What is a Premium Services Block on AT&T?
It is a free restriction that prevents any third-party services from adding charges to your AT&T bill through the carrier's billing system. Call 1-800-331-0500 to enable it.
Can replying STOP cancel a premium SMS subscription?
In many cases yes, but the carrier billing charge may continue even after an SMS cancellation. Always confirm with AT&T that the charge has been removed from your account.
How far back can I dispute cramming charges?
Most carriers investigate and refund unauthorised charges going back 90 days. Escalate to the FCC or state attorney general if AT&T refuses to refund legitimate cramming charges.
Sources for this guide are listed on the Mobile Premium SMS Subscription Scams page (4 sources).