14 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
14 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

How to stop spam text messages?

by Cali16
9 replies
Is there a way to stop spam text messages? Out of the blue tonight I've received several spam text messages to win a free iPad. They come from various phone numbers, some of which are "out of service". I looked up the website and it's clearly a CPA offer. Unfortunately, a "whois" search shows that it is registered privately.

Short of changing my cell phone number or having my wireless provider turn off all text messaging, is there any way to put a stop to these texts??
#messages #spam #stop #text
  • Profile picture of the author nrupen
    You can file complaint with your service provider to stop advertising test messages. You can also visit website which sent you message, contact them with a message that you'll file complaint against them if they continue to send you messages.
    Signature
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5903772].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Cali16
      Thanks. Unfortunately, I don't see a way to contact the website (I already tried that route). Neither provide any contact link, and their "whois" info is private, so that was also a deadend.
      Signature
      If you don't face your fears, the only thing you'll ever see is what's in your comfort zone. ~Anne McClain, astronaut
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5903810].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Christopher Fox
        I just dealt with this. Somehow I got on a list and was being charged $9.95 on my phone bill. Fortunately, my phone provider removed the charges and put a free block on my phone. Most of this crap will stop if you reply to the text message with 'STOP'.

        Try the 'stop' as a reply route, that usually will unsubscribe you from this garbage.

        Plenty of knuckleheads out there giving IMers a bad name with all of this 'you just won a free iPad' crap. Spam, spam, annoying, irritating spam.
        Signature
        One man alone can be pretty dumb sometimes, but for real bona fide stupidity, there ain't nothing can beat teamwork.

        - Seldom Seen Smith
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5903966].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Sornie Samante
    I have been a victim of spam text messages and worst is I was charged for that unsolicited messages almost every 4 hours if not every day. If they deliver message, they should have some ways on how to check your "subscription" and when you do check it, they will give you ways to stop the subscription and it will then be stopped immediately.

    this is what I've done to mine. Gladly I'm not receiving anything from them already. A good relief though.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5903991].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Cali16
      Thanks, Christopher. I did use the "stop" route - but on one it said "sending failed" or something like that.

      Sornie, thank you for your response. I'm not sure what you mean about "checking your subscription"... I'm not subscribed to anything. If you could clarify, that would be great.

      These text messages are all coming from SMSCaster.com - apparently a bulk SMS provider. I did find a way via ATT to block certain domains, so I added that one - hopefully that will stop this most recent nonsense. I will call ATT tomorrow - they were closed tonight when I tried to call - and see if I have any other options.
      Signature
      If you don't face your fears, the only thing you'll ever see is what's in your comfort zone. ~Anne McClain, astronaut
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5904019].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Sornie Samante
        Originally Posted by Cali16 View Post

        Thanks, Christopher. I did use the "stop" route - but on one it said "sending failed" or something like that.

        Sornie, thank you for your response. I'm not sure what you mean about "checking your subscription"... I'm not subscribed to anything. If you could clarify, that would be great.

        These text messages are all coming from SMSCaster.com - apparently a bulk SMS provider. I did find a way via ATT to block certain domains, so I added that one - hopefully that will stop this most recent nonsense. I will call ATT tomorrow - they were closed tonight when I tried to call - and see if I have any other options.
        As you maybe aware, this is obviously some another form of marketing. So there should be a "name" of this campaign. When I received my messages from that SMS Spammer, at the end of each message, there should be some ways of checking your account like.. "to check your subscription.. text "number"... then they'll respond to that with list of active "subscription" you are currently having. From there, you can command them to stop by simply following their instructions on how to stop it.

        Though you are not subscribed to any of their campaigns, and you happen to input your number to their System for some verification purposes or anything like that.. a trick!... then you are automatically added to their subscribers list.

        I've been a victim a couple of times really. Good thing I;ve learned my lesson
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5904072].message }}
        • Profile picture of the author Cali16
          Originally Posted by Sornie Samante View Post

          there should be some ways of checking your account like.. "to check your subscription.. text "number"... then they'll respond to that with list of active "subscription" you are currently having. From there, you can command them to stop by simply following their instructions on how to stop it.
          Thanks. However, none of the messages said anything about checking a subscription. They all just said to go to "LimitedFreeOffline dot com", which then redirects to "VIPBidders dot com". The latter is clearly a CPA site which asks me to enter my email (which of course I did not) and then follow subsequent steps.

          Yes, I'm very aware these are marketing messages - SPAM text marketing - grrrrrrr!! It's bad enough to get spam email, but spam texts really irk me. I am 100% certain this isn't related to anything I "subscribed" to. I did a Google search for some of the numbers - one showed up with multiple complaint reports from earlier this evening from others who received the same spam text - saying I've been selected to receive a free Apple product or iPad and to go to the site (that I mentioned above) to claim my gift. Complete BS!

          While I realize there is a lot of money to be made via CPA, over 90% of my email spam is for CPA offers, and the rest for MMO junk. I certainly don't want spam CPA texts as well!
          Signature
          If you don't face your fears, the only thing you'll ever see is what's in your comfort zone. ~Anne McClain, astronaut
          {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5904149].message }}
          • Profile picture of the author Sornie Samante
            Originally Posted by Cali16 View Post

            Thanks. However, none of the messages said anything about checking a subscription. They all just said to go to "LimitedFreeOffline dot com", which then redirects to "VIPBidders dot com". The latter is clearly a CPA site which asks me to enter my email (which of course I did not) and then follow subsequent steps.

            Yes, I'm very aware these are marketing messages - SPAM text marketing - grrrrrrr!! It's bad enough to get spam email, but spam texts really irk me. I am 100% certain this isn't related to anything I "subscribed" to. I did a Google search for some of the numbers - one showed up with multiple complaint reports from earlier this evening from others who received the same spam text - saying I've been selected to receive a free Apple product or iPad and to go to the site (that I mentioned above) to claim my gift. Complete BS!

            While I realize there is a lot of money to be made via CPA, over 90% of my email spam is for CPA offers, and the rest for MMO junk. I certainly don't want spam CPA texts as well!
            The best way to do right now is to contact your network and ask them to block it maybe.. I know how annoying it could be so it must be stop.
            {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5920281].message }}
            • Profile picture of the author gatorx
              what do we see here. Spam has traveled all the way through the internet and arrived at mobile text messages. I wonder how your number got into the hands of spammer. Did you post them somewhere on the Internet (Bad thing to do!)

              Yes contact your service provider to do something about it. Get a new number if necessary.
              {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5920497].message }}

Trending Topics