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Anything I can do about SMS TXT spam on metered plan?

Ichinisan

Ichinisan

Lifer
I don't have a text messaging plan because I use Google Voice for free texts, so AT&T charges me per-message. I think the charge is somewhere between $0.20 and $0.35 per-message.

I don't want to disable texting entirely because it's useful for someone to send me a message if it's important and they don't know my GV number. For that, I'm willing to pay the per-message cost because it normally doesn't add-up to the cost of the cheapest text messaging plan.

I've been getting text message spam and it's infuriating. To reply "STOP" could simply confirm that my number is active and open the door for more spam.

I sometimes get legitimate text messages with an option to reply "STOP" to cancel, but I don't even reply to those because I'd get charged for the outgoing message. It really pisses me off when a business I've worked with sends me messages and never asked if it was OK. For example, I still get them from the dentist to confirm appointments. If I'd known they would be sending me text messages, I would have given them my GV phone number.

Is there a mechanism for submitting feedback about SMS spam? If so, would the charges be credited back?

I recently got a msg from Bank of America that starts with "FREE TEXT MSG alert-...", but I doubt it was "free" as it claims. I believe the only free messages I receive at my AT&T number are the ones from AT&T. There needs to be a way to view TXT history on AT&T's site and "itemize" them to see which ones I was charged for...but I've searched and searched for this feature with no luck.

[edit]
Sucks that this thread was moved to a forum with less traffic / less help. It's not really a gadget/device question. I'm asking about AT&T, which half of our forum members use for mobile phone service.
 
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Unfortunately, with ATT your option is to turn off texting. I've been battling this for a while now and their only answer is "turn it off".
 
Ichinisan said:
I don't have a text messaging plan because I use Google Voice for free texts, so AT&T charges me per-message. I think the charge is somewhere between $0.20 and $0.35 per-message.

I don't want to disable texting entirely because it's useful for someone to send me a message if it's important and they don't know my GV number. For that, I'm willing to pay the per-message cost because it normally doesn't add-up to the cost of the cheapest text messaging plan.

I've been getting text message spam and it's infuriating. To reply "STOP" could simply confirm that my number is active and open the door for more spam.

I sometimes get legitimate text messages with an option to reply "STOP" to cancel, but I don't even reply to those because I'd get charged for the outgoing message. It really pisses me off when a business I've worked with sends me messages and never asked if it was OK. For example, I still get them from the dentist to confirm appointments. If I'd known they would be sending me text messages, I would have given them my GV phone number.

Is there a mechanism for submitting feedback about SMS spam? If so, would the charges be credited back?

I recently got a msg from Bank of America that starts with "FREE TEXT MSG alert-...", but I doubt it was "free" as it claims. I believe the only free messages I receive at my AT&T number are the ones from AT&T. There needs to be a way to view TXT history on AT&T's site and "itemize" them to see which ones I was charged for...but I've searched and searched for this feature with no luck.
Click to expand...

This won't solve in entirely, but for all the places that you get texts from, like your dentist, simply update your number to the google voice number.

And if possible, maybe swap carriers as the other poster stated Sprint was able to disable premium texting. I think ATT can too, but you have to fight tooth and nail because it is a huge source of income to them.

Also, why can't you just give everyone your google voice number instead of your cell phone number, and disable texting fully if you want to stay with ATT?
 
SilthDraeth said:
This won't solve in entirely, but for all the places that you get texts from, like your dentist, simply update your number to the google voice number.

And if possible, maybe swap carriers as the other poster stated Sprint was able to disable premium texting. I think ATT can too, but you have to fight tooth and nail because it is a huge source of income to them.

Also, why can't you just give everyone your google voice number instead of your cell phone number, and disable texting fully if you want to stay with ATT?
Click to expand...

Some people just use the number they got from the caller ID.

I don't recall any specifics, but I've encountered services that refused to accept my Google Voice number for some unknown reason...especially if they have to validate my phone number via text message. Even some of Google's own services refuse to use my GV number, so I've only been giving that number to personal acquaintances. I'm worried that my bank and other institutions might know that it's a free number and scrutinize my accounts for potential fraud (leading to activity alerts and declined "suspicious" transactions). I've had such problems with online services when using a free web email account, and I'm certain it happens for GV / Skype phone numbers too.
 
How to block texts ATT

Fair enough. I would just keep calling and pressuring ATT. There have been several class action law suits, though I am not sure if the carrier's where ever hit. Anyways, I found this article, it is written for an iPhone, but the instructions should work for you also. Also every time you get a true spam, (ie not your dentist) then I would contact ATT and have the charge removed.

Then contact your businesses, like the dentist office, and the bank, and tell them you do not wish to receive text alerts.
 
I usually reply notifying the spammer that each unsolicited text received carries a penalty of $10,000 in court should I choose to pursue the spammer. I've only received a few spam texts, but I never get any more after saying this.
 
soccerballtux said:
I usually reply notifying the spammer that each unsolicited text received carries a penalty of $10,000 in court should I choose to pursue the spammer. I've only received a few spam texts, but I never get any more after saying this.
Click to expand...

- This would tell an automated system that my mobile number is active.
- I would be billed for the outgoing message.
 
I had to disable texts on my Verizon phone since there was no good way to block it. I'd love the phone companies to build in good systems for blocking calls and texts but there's money to be made so no incentive for them.
 
I only get 1 text spam a year. For some reason this one dentist I went to once sends me one every year around my birthday.
 
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