[Vision2020] spam text messages

[Saundra Lund]

Hi Bev,

As usual, the "anything is legal as long as there's a dollar to be made"
administration seems to have missed the mark:  CAN-SPAM doesn’t offer
protection from SMS text messages.  The reason?  TBTB (the powers that be)
thought CAN-SPAM in conjunction with existing law would be sufficient.
<snort>  Wrong again.

To compare and contrast how some other countries -- unlike the US -- have
taken a hard line approach to stop SMS spam, check out:
http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/news/2003/11/61226

For some very basic background on the CAN-SPAM route our FCC chose to take:
http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/08/13/HNfccspamsms_1.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41009-2004Aug4.html
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/canspam.html

While quasi-cumbersome, I think Ms. Ceccarelli's suggestion is your best bet
for now.  I'd probably also file complaint after complaint with the FCC --
perhaps if they get inundated with complaints, they'll for the issue of
looking at updating consumer protection (but I'm not holding my breath).


Saundra Lund
Moscow, ID

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do
nothing.
~ Edmund Burke

***** Original material contained herein is Copyright 2008 through life plus
70 years, Saundra Lund.  Do not copy, forward, excerpt, or reproduce outside
the Vision 2020 forum without the express written permission of the
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-----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