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Jun 17, 2008 -- A step-by-step guide to stop spam on your cell

Regular listeners know that Clark often trashes the nation's cell phone companies because they gain so much profit from spam texts. But he never likes to just harp on a problem without offering a solution.

Today he's pleased to tell you that David Pogue, a technology blogger for The New York Times, has unearthed some hidden procedures for eliminating spam texts that should help AT&T and Verizon customers. T-Mobile is working on ramping up similar opt-out capabilities, while Sprint has no procedures in place at all.

So check it out today and stop paying for every spam that comes to your handset. Of course, those who are on unlimited texting plans never have to worry about paying for spam.

Unfortunately, Clark won't be able to answer any questions submitted via commenting. If you have a question, please try posting it to our message boards.

Add your comment

What others are saying

cell phone spam

I can find the provider of the cell phone that sent the message - even if I can't get the name of the sender - and I call and complain to them. I also call Sprint and complain - they have reversed the charges and tell me that they can block that sender from getting to my phone. And I go to the FCC site and complain there.

By Margaret @ 07/06/08 10:07:39 PMreport abuse
Unwanted text messages

I also discovered an extremely simple method for preventing receipt of unwanted text messages: turn off the text messaging service. Works like a charm! Keep up the outstanding educational work.

By James Gregory @ 07/01/08 09:48:58 AMreport abuse
Unwanted E-mails

Pls tell me how to stop getting E-mails from people (suposadly from another Country) wanting me to cash bonds, money orders, claim my prize, or help them get their money out of the Country!! I get about 6 a day! I cannot imagine where they got my e-mail address. I am afraid to click on the addres to ask them to unscribe me. What can I do?

By Carolann Justus @ 06/30/08 04:59:35 PMreport abuse
spam text messaging

Thanks so much -- it is so annoying. I am going to share this with all my coworkers and friends. :)

By Rebecca @ 06/30/08 04:03:27 PMreport abuse
Text messaging

I've completely stopped text messages by going to my provider and asking them to stop the text messages. It cost me to send and receive so I've just stopped them. My wife and I are on a 450 miunte a month even so I don't do texting.

By Ross @ 06/30/08 03:45:19 PMreport abuse
call it what it is: stealing

Stealing is wrong no matter how small the amount is. We should not tolerate it. A spammer that sends 1000 messages just took a $50 value for which other will have to pay. If he took $50 from one person we'd make him give it back; but since each person isn't going to put a lot of effort into recovering $0.05 the thief gets away with it. We should keep this idea clearly in our minds. It is counterproductive to depict spamming as an inevitable outgrowth of new technology; and that we somehow have to work around it. The response should be "let us defend what is ours and let the criminals pay". There are many excuses for why spammers aren't prosecuted, but I believe that if we all were serious in our conviction that it is unacceptable for others to use our resources against our wishes, then we would have a fighting chance.

By Phil @ 06/30/08 01:08:29 PMreport abuse
SpamTexts

While we may not have to pay for spam text messages, they are an annoyance- especially at 3 AM when the sound of your phone wakes you to advertise perscription medicine!

By Brenda Hopkins @ 06/30/08 11:51:03 AMreport abuse
Paying to Receive Texts

In Europe the sender pays for the text messasge. I can't understand the economics of having the recipient pay for text messages. I'd be livid about paying for spam I received.

By Garrett @ 06/30/08 11:43:11 AMreport abuse
Hidden?

This feature has been on the Verizon web site for at least 3 years. It's never been hidden, as the blogger would have you believe. But thanks anyway for Clark bringing it to everyone else's attention.

By Maynard @ 06/28/08 04:47:00 PMreport abuse
they charge 20 cents per now and I have had the email ones blocked for years. These are phone to phone getting through.

By Doris @ 06/19/08 11:37:09 AMreport abuse
It's been two years.

There are two types of spam that hit T-Mobile cellphones, one from their e-mail to SMS interface, and the other phone to phone. With the e-mail one you can have your current address blocked and have an alias put in place, this will stop that problem cold. As for the phone to phone SMS spam, I've had exactly one of those in two years on their service. Can't say that 5 cents deeply impacted my life...

By Arturo @ 06/19/08 10:33:50 AMreport abuse
Cellphone spam

the correct web address for AT&T is http://mymessages.wireless.att.com/do/registration

By maddog2020 @ 06/19/08 08:35:10 AMreport abuse
CELL PHONE SPAM

Hey, why wait? Use this cool tool BEFORE you get stuck with a lot of spam text charges!

By KATHY @ 06/18/08 06:31:20 PMreport abuse
Toyota Tundra 2006 paint

Bought new a 2006 Tundra gold metalic. Paint scrapes off easily. Scratches all over. Toyota admits the paint is inferior but will do nothing about it.

By Sue Sawyer @ 06/18/08 04:40:29 PMreport abuse
cell phone spam

This is not true. I am a Sprint customer and recently got my first spam on instant messaging. Since I do not use instant messaging, I called Sprint and had them block all forms of instantmessaging. This is not an adequate solution for those using instant messaging, but since I do not, it was perfectly acceptable for me.

By anonymous @ 06/18/08 03:26:25 PMreport abuse
block all phone spam easily

After receiving my first m-spam, I had Verizon block ALL text messages on my cellular phones. Haven't had a single one since.

By Steven @ 06/18/08 02:02:34 PMreport abuse
I have t-mobile and I get a set of spam usually once every two months--about 3 messages. They usually will give me some free text messages for a later time in case it happens again, but won't take charges off. I think there is a lawsuit against them about this.

They also scammed me on a rebate.

But their customer service people are always so nice and try to help, just nothing ever gets done.

By Doris @ 06/18/08 09:48:15 AMreport abuse

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