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Author Topic: Unwanted Text Messages  (Read 17214 times)

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Offline jendf

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Unwanted Text Messages
« on: January 10, 2008, 06:30:04 PM »
This isn't a computer-related question, but it is technology-related so I thought I would post it here.

What, if anything, can I do about unwanted text messages? I've received three spam messages within the week. I have no idea how they got my number.

I don't have a text message plan because I don't text message anyone so each of these unwanted messages is costing me .15 a pop. I don't feel I should pay people to spam me.

Any thoughts or suggestions?
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Offline Chris_

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Re: Unwanted Text Messages
« Reply #1 on: January 10, 2008, 06:30:52 PM »
Class Action Suit (/Breck Girl)
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Offline Toastedturningtidelegs

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Re: Unwanted Text Messages
« Reply #2 on: January 11, 2008, 08:58:45 AM »
Quote from: jendf on January 10, 2008, 06:30:04 PM
This isn't a computer-related question, but it is technology-related so I thought I would post it here.

What, if anything, can I do about unwanted text messages? I've received three spam messages within the week. I have no idea how they got my number.

I don't have a text message plan because I don't text message anyone so each of these unwanted messages is costing me .15 a pop. I don't feel I should pay people to spam me.

Any thoughts or suggestions?
Are you on the Do Not Call list? I believe that covers text messaging as well. I would find out what company or organization is spamming you and report them. Keep in mind some orgs are exempt from that list.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: Unwanted Text Messages
« Reply #3 on: January 11, 2008, 09:11:38 AM »
This issue was on the news a few weeks ago. Seems like they were considering regulation/legislation against it?

I'll try googling it for news items.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: Unwanted Text Messages
« Reply #4 on: January 11, 2008, 09:21:24 AM »
Googled it and it and can't find the current news about it.
But there is quite a bit of history about regulation and an apparent loop-hole in it.


Here's an FCC link..........
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/canspam.html

there is also this.....
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs2a-cellcalls.htm#4
 
Quote
What can I do if I am receiving spam text messages on my cell phone?
Beginning in 2004, the federal CAN-SPAM law made it illegal to send unsolicited commercial text messages. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has compiled a list of websites to which marketers may not send unsolicited e-mail because the messages go to wireless devices. This list was compiled with the help of the cell phone carriers.

If you are receiving unwanted messages, it is important to notify your phone carrier so they can get an idea of the scope of the problem. But remember, text messages from your phone carrier regarding your account are not considered "spam" within the meaning of the law.

You can report unwanted text messages to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC cannot award monetary or other damages and does not settle individual consumer complaints, but it can issue citations or impose fines against those violating the CAN-SPAM Act, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, the National Do-Not-Call Registry, and the FCC's related rules.

You may file a complaint with the FCC by:

    E-mail : fccinfo@fcc.gov
    Online : www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html
    Telephone : Voice (888) CALL-FCC, or (888-225-5322)
    TTY (888) TELL-FCC, of (888-835-5322)
    Mail :
    Federal Communications Commission
    Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
    Consumer Inquiries and Complaint Division
    445 12th Street, SW
    Washington, DC 20554
« Last Edit: January 11, 2008, 09:27:50 AM by JackZip »
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Offline jendf

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Re: Unwanted Text Messages
« Reply #5 on: January 11, 2008, 11:08:16 AM »
Thanks, JackZip. Those links are helpful.

I am on a Do Not Call list. I never receive unwanted phone calls which is great. However, in the last week, I've received 3 unwanted texts. I can't figure out what I did, if anything, to start this nonsense up.
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Offline Chris_

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Re: Unwanted Text Messages
« Reply #6 on: January 11, 2008, 11:10:23 AM »
 :cheersmate:
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Offline Thor

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Re: Unwanted Text Messages
« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2008, 11:22:17 AM »
I was getting them a few years back. I just called my cell phone provider and informed them about the messages. They took care of the problem, somehow. If I recall, incoming text messages are free. It's the outgoing ones that cost.
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Offline Texacon

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Re: Unwanted Text Messages
« Reply #8 on: January 12, 2008, 01:47:23 PM »
Quote from: Thor on January 12, 2008, 11:22:17 AM
I was getting them a few years back. I just called my cell phone provider and informed them about the messages. They took care of the problem, somehow. If I recall, incoming text messages are free. It's the outgoing ones that cost.

I just went through this with my provider.  I was being charged for the incoming texts.  The only thing they told me I could do was either; pay for unlimited text $20/month or cancel the text all together.

I told them if I pay for unlimited text I am STILL paying for the texts I'm getting.  They said they couldn't stop them coming in and wouldn't remove the charges.  I told them to turn off text.

KC
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Offline Thor

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Re: Unwanted Text Messages
« Reply #9 on: January 12, 2008, 02:53:07 PM »
Texacon, yeah, I probably should have included that caveat. It probably all depends on the provider. I was with Nextel at that point. I have text messaging on my current cell phone, so I don't really worry about it. However, I'm considering cancelling that feature, as I use it very little.
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Offline Texacon

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Re: Unwanted Text Messages
« Reply #10 on: January 12, 2008, 07:56:21 PM »
Quote from: Thor on January 12, 2008, 02:53:07 PM
Texacon, yeah, I probably should have included that caveat. It probably all depends on the provider. I was with Nextel at that point. I have text messaging on my current cell phone, so I don't really worry about it. However, I'm considering cancelling that feature, as I use it very little.

Yeah, me and my wife might have spent $3/month on text messaging.  It was ludicrous to pay $20/month for unlimited text to "keep from paying" for someone to advertise to me.  Really kind of pissed me off to think that I was responsible to pay for an unwanted advertisement.  They told me they could take care of the charges for that month and that month only.

KC
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Offline jendf

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Re: Unwanted Text Messages
« Reply #11 on: January 12, 2008, 09:38:22 PM »
I'm with T-Mobile and I am on the plan that charges per message (incoming and outgoing) simply because I don't want to pay for a service that I never use (like you Texacon).

I maybe send one to two text messages a month, if that. It's very rare. My friends know that I would rather e-mail or just call them if I want to talk to them. They know not to text me too much.

So that's why I'm particularly pissed about this current rash of unwanted text messages. Since I do have to pay for them, it seems extremely unfair.
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Offline Texacon

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Re: Unwanted Text Messages
« Reply #12 on: January 13, 2008, 11:22:52 AM »
Quote from: jendf on January 12, 2008, 09:38:22 PM
I'm with T-Mobile and I am on the plan that charges per message (incoming and outgoing) simply because I don't want to pay for a service that I never use (like you Texacon).

I maybe send one to two text messages a month, if that. It's very rare. My friends know that I would rather e-mail or just call them if I want to talk to them. They know not to text me too much.

So that's why I'm particularly pissed about this current rash of unwanted text messages. Since I do have to pay for them, it seems extremely unfair.

Tell 'em to remove the charges and cancel the text.  I don't get anywhere near the amount of time I have for cell calls each month and I still see red everytime some telemarketer calls me on my cell phone.  I do real estate and that is what that phone is for.  I don't need some asshole calling me to ask me if I need more toner or pens or ....  And I damn sure don't need text messages asking me to go to some porn site (although I did write down the URL   :-))  Ok, not really. 

KC
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