Some mobile users in Luxembourg are facing unexpected charges from hidden SMS subscriptions, prompting Post to launch a tool that lets people quickly check and cancel these services.
Some mobile users in Luxembourg may have been surprised by unusually high phone bills, unaware they had subscribed to paid services via SMS. Often activated without clear consent, these services continue to charge in the background.
To tackle the issue, Post has introduced the StopSMS tool, allowing users to review and cancel unwanted subscriptions.
Pierre Zimmer, Deputy Director of Post, said that Luxembourg's mobile operators collaborated on the initiative to offer consumers a simple way to opt out. Users can visit the website, enter their phone number, and instantly see where they are subscribed – sometimes to more services than expected.
Once the 'Stop' button is clicked, Post handles the cancellation, sparing users the hassle of lengthy administrative procedures or direct contact with companies.
Beyond subscriptions, scam calls remain a persistent threat. Many people have received calls from unknown numbers asking for sensitive information or even claiming they must appear in court.
In response, Post has taken steps to mask such numbers, displaying only the word 'anonymous' to discourage people from answering.
The company has noticed that multiple anonymous calls are often followed by SMS messages, now often written in flawless Luxembourgish and saying something like 'Listen, we absolutely need to talk'. The messages typically do not include a name, as the senders do not know the recipient personally.
If users respond, they receive no further identification – the sender never states who they are. According to Post, these messages should be ignored.
Scams like these are unlikely to decrease, especially with advances in AI. Zimmer stressed the importance of staying one step ahead and responding appropriately.
Post encourages users to alert them to suspicious messages. This information helps the company block similar scams in the future, ensuring such messages no longer reach users.
He added that these operations are driven by automated systems. If one number is blocked, the scammers often switch to another almost immediately.
Users wishing to check their active SMS subscriptions can do so at StopSMS.lu. After entering a phone number, they will receive a link from Post showing a list of services, which can be cancelled free of charge.
