[Vision2020] spam text messages

[Nance Ceccarelli]

Dear visionaries:
We had this problem with ATT/Cingular/ATT  (Uof I/pers) accounts 
approximately 1 year ago.

The solutions offered were the same:  1) cut off all text for all four 
phones; or, 2) subscribe to an unlimited text msg service; and 3) reply 
"STOP" to all.

As Ms. Bafus described - some disallowed the "stop" reply, and paying for 
unlimited service for something we rarely needed or used seemed ridiculous. 
Our ingenious, albeit cumbersome, solution was to call and bother the 
customer service reps every month the bill came and demand the charges 
reversed.  We also kept a log of all the messages' sending 
numbers/identifying information and gave that to the csr's dealing with the 
billing issues.

It took about three, maybe four, terribly annoying billing cycles - but 
miraculously, all text spam has stopped since March of 2007.  We've been 
"cured" (knock wood!).

Another option is to leave the tel # turned off - except when you really 
need it.  Our clients have learned that leaving a voice mail works really 
well.  We always call them back and are prepared to answer those clients' 
questions with their file in hand.  My associates and I are more productive 
and polite when we aren't answering a cell phone that rings in the middle of 
meetings with others, while driving, while sitting at lunch, etc.

Just a thought or two.  :-)

nc

Nance Ceccarelli
1031 Showalter Road
Moscow ID 83843
208-883-0752
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dan Carscallen" <areaman at moscow.com>
To: "'Tom Hansen'" <thansen at moscow.com>; "'Bev Bafus'" 
<bevbafus at verizon.net>; <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 7:19 AM
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] spam text messages


> Tom,
>
> I think Bev is talking about text messages on her cell phone.  I know a
> lot of people who get dinged 10 cents per message, and that seems like a
> lot to me.  Spam text messages does seem a bit invasive.  Even more
> annoying than the spam faxes that somehow show up on the fax machine at
> work.
>
> I do recall that there were some murmurings about charging for emails.
> Thankfully that went by the wayside!
>
> DC
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com
> [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com] On Behalf Of Tom Hansen
> Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 7:03 AM
> To: 'Bev Bafus'; vision2020 at moscow.com
> Subject: Re: [Vision2020] spam text messages
>
>
> Bev -
>
> I have had an email account with First Step since (if you will excuse
> the
> expression) Christ was a corporal.
>
> First Step has subscribed to Postini services, a service which filters
> out the garbage you mention for a price of $1.50 per month to those
> First Step accounts that sign up for it.
>
> I have heard nothing but bad news about Verizon email services.
>
> This is merely a suggestion, but . . . If I were you, I'd be over at
> First Step signing up today.
>
> And another thing:  THIRTY-FIVE CENTS FOR EACH RECEIVED
> MESSAGE?????????????
>
> JEESH!  I am definitely in the wrong career field.
>
> Tom Hansen
> Moscow, Idaho
>
> "I was a stranger, and you welcomed me."  (Matthew 25:35)
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
> From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com
> [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
> On Behalf Of Bev Bafus
> Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 6:48 AM
> To: vision2020 at moscow.com
> Subject: [Vision2020] spam text messages
>
> Hi everyone.
>
> This doesn't really relate to Moscow specifically, but thought I'd throw
> this out and see if others have experienced what we have lately.
>
> We have recently received spam text messages to our Verizon cell phones.
> These are fairly graphic text messages, with invitations to porno web
> sites.
>
> Of course, you can't block text messages unless you block everyone.  I
> called Verizon, and they said to reply to the message simply with
> "stop".  I tried this, but of course, the sender has blocked text
> messages.
>
> I have to pay $.35 for every received message, and I'll be darned if I'm
> going to pay the $10 a month for unlimited, just to receive junk.
>
> Text spam is supposed to be illegal, but what does one do?
>
> Thanks
> Bev
>
> =======================================================
> List services made available by First Step Internet,
> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>               http://www.fsr.net
>          mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> =======================================================
>
>
>
> =======================================================
> List services made available by First Step Internet,
> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>               http://www.fsr.net
>          mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> =======================================================
>
>
>
> =======================================================
> List services made available by First Step Internet,
> serving the communities of the Palouse since 1994.
>               http://www.fsr.net
>          mailto:Vision2020 at moscow.com
> =======================================================
>
>
>
> -- 
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.13/1214 - Release Date: 1/8/2008 
> 1:38 PM
>
>