Text Message Spam ... Don't Let It Happen to You!

You hear the familiar tone of your text message indicator, and you reach for your cell phone in anticipation as you wonder, "Who could have sent me a message?" You're confused when you open it up and see that the text came from a number you don't recognize. You quickly scan the words, looking for the name of someone you know. Instead, you realize the text is from an unknown sender about a false stock tip, perhaps a mortgage loan offer, or any other unsolicited message. You've been the target of spam!

Just like with e-mail spam, it's hard to know who the perpetrators of mobile text spam are. There are plenty of reports of text spam that focuses on penny stocks, but this growing problem is beginning to draw spammers hawking all domains of products and commodities.

All major wireless carriers now have filters to help fight spam, and many have even filed lawsuits against spammers. These measures aren't 100% effective, however, as spammers are always looking for new ways to harvest cell phone numbers and bypass filters.

To help fight mobile spam, follow these tips:

-If you receive a spam text on your cell phone, call your wireless carrier and give them all the information on the screen.

-If possible, contact the company being advertised and let them know that you don't want to be contacted again.

-Some scams will instruct the text spam recipient to call a telephone number. Unbeknownst to the victim, calling the phone number can result in premium-rate charges that go straight into the pockets of the perpetrators. If you are ever texted a phone number you don't recognize from an unknown sender, do not call the number or you risk getting hit with unauthorized charges. Do not be tempted by the offer of a "prize."

-Never reply to a spam text message, as this can be supplied as confirmation that your number is "live" and a viable target to be harvested and sold to other spammers.

- You can also change your IM to Mobile settings using text messages right from your phone. Text any of the following commands to 265019:

'a' - Accept all text message IMs from the specified sender

'd' - Decline all text message IMs from the specified sender

'on' - Allow all text message IMs from any sender

'off' - Block all text message IMs from any sender

'ask' - Ask Me to accept or decline each new sender

'help' - List of commonly used IM to Mobile setting commands

-As a last resort, you can check to see if your mobile service provider allows you to disable texting. This feature varies carrier to carrier.

If you receive an IM Text Message Notice that is unfamiliar to you, please visit our IM Spam Information page.