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Oct 11, 2006 9:45 pm US/Eastern
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Text-Message Spam Can Cost You Big Bucks
Generally Illegal, But There Are Loopholes In Spamming
by Sara Underwood
BOSTON (CBS4) ―
Text messaging is big business, and unfortunately, so is text message spam. In addition to being annoying, it can cost you.
Bill Zaumen likes the benefits of having text messaging on his cell phone.
"If there's a natural disaster, you want to send a message to relatives saying everything is ok," said Zaumen.
But despite the benefits, Zaumen blocked text messaging on his phone because he was getting slammed with text message spam, which he ended up having to pay for.
"It doesn't cost them anything to do it, but it costs me 10 cents a message of course to receive it," he said.
Ten cents here and there may not sound like much, but it can really add up.
"I could see it growing to $30 or $40 a month very quickly," Zaumen said.
Joe Ridout of Consumer Action believes one reason why the spam continues is because it puts money in the pockets of cell phone carriers.
"The cell phone companies have a real disincentive to do anything about this problem, because they get to profit from all the spam traffic," he said.
But an organization that represents all sectors of the wireless industry says just the opposite; they have every incentive to stop the spam.
Wireless industry expert Joe Farren said: "It's an evolving threat. Spam does nothing but gum up the wireless network and therefore increase costs for consumers and increase costs for the carriers."
Generally, text message spam is illegal, but there are loopholes.
"If you have a pre-existing business relationship with a company, they're allowed to send you these kinds of messages," said Farren.
You can fight back by blocking the feature, and be careful about who you has your cell-phone number and what you download.
Also, add your number to the do-not call registry. See links to the right of your screen to sign up for the local and national Do Not Call lists.
But until the spam stops, Zaumen isn't risking it.
"Once it started, I just knew what was going to happen."
If you do get charged, you can always contest them with your phone company and
file a complaint with the FCC.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)