Getting SPAMMED with SPAM Text Messages on my Phone
Apparently, anyone can enter someone else's phone number (on purpose or mistakenly) into these text message services' web sites and order a premium text service to be delivered to your handset. The company then sends you the texts and starts charging you the monthly fee through your service provider, Verizon in my case. Soooo, I got 4 messages from a single number and I called Verizon and they blocked premium text messaging. The customer service lady told me that I needed to text back to the number the word "CANCEL", otherwise I would be charged. Excuse me? First off, the messages were all spams, and they seemed to read to me to be enticements to get me to START service with them by going to a website or texting to them. Second, I would have thought that replying to them to get them to stop would just let them know that they had found a working number, if they had been randomly spamming. After 1/2 an hour, I hung up and an hour later I started getting more messages from different numbers. So I call customer support again, and this time I was told that the first block was done wrong and that they now are really blocking them, but I'm going to have to reply to each message with the word "STOP" not the word "CANCEL". I nearly lost it! What if someone sent my number into 1,000 websites offering ringtones or porn or whatever, would I have to cancel each one, one at a time? Why can't customer service's computer console simply do that? Surely I must not be the only one getting spammed! Besides, I've had this phone for juuuust under 2 years now, and I've received 39 text messages, including the 9 from today, 7 from various acquaintances and the rest were from checking my minutes. I've never replied to a text message before with this phone and it uses the silly numeric keypad to enter text. What a pain it is to spell out STOP!!! Well, after we were done and I was done with the manager who walked me through replying to each message, one by one (the first four said "You aren't subscribed to any of our services" in reply, the last one never replied to either "STOP", "CANCEL" or the STOP with the 4 digit code they supplied....) after he assured me that I shouldn't get any charges and if I did that they would be removed from my bill (if/when I call again, of course) they gave me a $50 credit off of my bill. Seriously! I was floored. How could I stay upset? The system is WRONG! If someone signs up for a premium service, the service should be required to send a confirming message to the handset and require a positive "opt in" response before charging someone. That way spams could be safely ignored. Even 1,000 of them. There oughta be a law! |
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Wow--what will be next-- 
I agree that is an absurd system--that YOU have to respond. My poor daughter just had a horrible ongoing bad experience with Verizon customer service over an overcharge on a data card--someone hacked it and ran up enormous usage. Turns out most every time a customer service rep told her something---the next one said that 'whatever' was never done and told her something else. The story was never the same and for the most part they have been rude and unhelpful. This has gone on for over 6 months...at least you got a nice one and got a credit! |
| fwiw - and this probably doesn't apply to you Ron, but
never never never say "yes" in response to anything when you answer your phone, cell or otherwise. No matter the question, find another way to answer. We found out the hard way that they only need you to say the word 'yes' to change or add to your phone service. So anyone who isn't a known friend never gets a yes out of me on the phone anymore. It took me weeks to get straightened out with the stupid phone. (after I realized what I had done) Shellie |
| Interestingly, I've heard two other people complain about this very thing, and they were both with Verizon as well.
I have 4 lines through AT&T and we have never had this happen (and we're all texting fools, too.), although I admit I don't know for certain it's a carrier issue, just relaying what I've experienced so far. |
| Not exactly the same but I have a chick that texts me at least 5 times a day ...and has for OVER 6 months now. She occasionally calls. She is constantly looking for a guy and no matter how many times I have nicely said,
look... i own this phone. my husband is not the guy you're looking for. we live in alaska (just to throw her off as i obviously don't live there) and no one here goes out clubbing the <fill> still calls back!!!! 5 minutes ago I got one asking when I was going to pick her up from class. The funny part is, the times I have ACTUALLY talked to her, she "sounds" like the sweetest girl ...even in her answering machine. She always acts clueless, and since out of the over 500 texts we've received from her (that's right!!!!) ...I've only called her about 4-5 times (never texted back b/c I just don't know how to) ...we recently decided to have fun with HER. I have been calling her phone around 2-4 a.m. because who else would be up but a mom of 3  I call and say "did you call me?" 
So there's my spam on my cell story. I feel your pain. Really. My phone goes off all day and instead of it being something important, it's her!! |
| I just noticed I neglected to mention my carrier is
VERIZON as well. Coincidence? I think not Shellie |
| There are a number of class action lawsuits responding to these types of scams. I would google whatever company provides the text service and see if they are part of one. If not, I know a guy if you want to start one |
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