Tips For Dealing With Text Message (SMS) Spam

Posted by admin on 18/Jan/2010 in Scams, Security Alert Log | 0 comments

Text messages sent from companies trying to flog their services to you or trying to get you you to call or text a premium service number are not just intensely annoying, they are spam.

Here are some ways that you can minimise your exposure to text message spam.

• Don’t Reply
  If you reply to a text message from a person that you don’t know, you could then begin receiving continuing messages that you didn’t request. Remember that these messages may cost you money each time you receive them.
• Be Careful Who You Give Your Mobile Number To
  The simplest way to minimise your exposure to text message spam is to be careful about who you share your mobile number. When completing forms both online and offline think twice before filling in the mobile phone number field. These forms can sometimes initiate you receiving information and advertising, they get around the spam aspect of doing this by carefully wording their terms and conditions. Sometimes in very fine – fine print.
• Solicited or Unsolicited
  Generally speaking there are two different types of commercial text messages being sent – solicited and unsolicited. You receive solicited messages because you you selected (opted in) to receive them. Unsolicited text messages on the other hand are a nuisance, could potentially cost you lots of money and may lead to problems.
• Call the Company
  Call the company and ask them to stop the messages. Use directory assistance or the internet to research the company sending you the text message spam. If you find a contact number (and you won’t always, particularly for the true text message spammers) call them and demand they stop sending you messages.
• Competitions, Ringtones and Horoscopes = Be Careful
  Be careful when entering competitions or download ringtones or horoscopes by SMS. Terms and conditions for these services may require you subscribe to the service on an ongoing basis that charges you at a premium rate.
• Delete It
  Delete text message spam. Some text message spam messages encourage the user to call an expensive premium number. Delete these messages and don’t call any number provided.
• Try STOP
  SMS the word STOP. If you continually receive text message spam from a number, text the word STOP by reply. This is the usual way for you to opt out of a service.
• Forms
  When filling out forms take a minute to read the terms and conditions before completing the mobile phone number field. These forms can sometimes commit you to receiving information and advertising.