When it comes to spam text messages, there are three different versions. How you should deal with each of these is different, but without knowing what signs to spot you could land yourself in even more trouble.
Legitimate marketing messages
Even though sometimes you may sign up to marketing messages unknowingly, these messages are legitimate, though they should include the name and contact details of the sender. Usually you sign up to these by neglecting to tick or untick a box in an agreement allowing companies to send you marketing communications or even pass on your details to a third-party.
What are the signs?
Companies should identify themselves within the body of text or in the sent-from number shown as text. Failing to do this is against regulations and can be constituted as spamming.
If the message does not say who the text is from, it’s probably spam
How to stop them
The first thing you should do is text STOP, as companies are legally obliged to pay attention to this. However, you must make sure that you’re totally confident that the message isn’t spam, as doing this can open the door to more spam (see below)
If you still receive marketing messages from the same company, try visiting their website where you should find an option somewhere to opt out of marketing communications. If the company doesn’t have a website, or you can’t find this option, you should phone the company and request the opt-out.
If that doesn’t work, complain to the Information Commissioner who can punish the firm with fines. See how to complain to the ICO
Premium messages
Similar to marketing messages, these are services that you have agreed to receive, though usually they are subscriptions to a service or product (mobile ringtones are a classic example).
What are the signs?
It will likely be be from a four, five or six digit number and the sender will charge you for receiving the message.
Again, you might not be aware that you subscribed to the texts, but they are generally legitimate. However, they can quickly cost hundreds of pounds over time, so the quicker you unsubscribe the better.
How to stop them
In this instance you should reply with STOP, or STOP ALL to block future messages.
This should do the trick, but if not, you can contact your network provider and ask them to stop the messages.
If you still receive premium messages after trying these first two things, the final stage is to complain to the premium rate regulator PhonePayPlus and they will investigate it.
Will I be able to get my money back?
You will only be entitled to a refund for premium text services if you didn’t subscribe to the service. Failing to opt-out, like neglecting to tick or untick a box, doesn’t count as subscribing, i.e. you must actively subscribe to be legitimately sent chargeable texts.
If you’re absolutely sure you didn’t sign up for a premium text service, you can try to get a refund for any charges incurred through PhonePayPlus, who regulate the premium rate industry. Make sure that you keep any messages as you may need the details.
How to contact PhonePayPlus
- Find the texter’s details. Use PhonePayPlus’s number checker to garner as much info as you can about the message sender
- Register your complaint online using their online claim form, then PhonePayPlus will investigate your case for a refund, then write to you with its outcome and, if you’ve won, how to get your money back. You can also call them on 0800 500 212 if you prefer (Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm).
PhonePayPlus will then ask the provider for evidence that you legitimately signed up to the service, and if there is any doubt then they can force the company to refund you, and in serious cases they can be fined up to £250,000 and barred from running a premium rate service altogether.
Spam Texts
These texts usually advertise services and you probably haven’t heard of them before (if they do mention the company name) as they tend to send messages to randomly-generated phone numbers.
What are the signs?
They usually come from a standard 11-digit mobile number, and they normally try to encourage you to reply to the text. Spam texts usually offer monetary gains, such as writing off debts, personal injury claims and so on.
These are messages that you’ll never have asked for, and you don’t want them. They’re likely to be generic, not addressed to you personally, though more sophisticated spammers might mention your details.
How to stop them
When it comes to these messages, NEVER REPLY – with anything. These messages are generally sent by computers to large quantities of randomly generated phone numbers. It’s a scam aiming to obtain genuine personal details.
All these texts want is a reply, no matter what the content is, as this confirms that you are using an active number and the likely result is that you’ll receive more spam, as the spammers will likely sell your details to a third party, whether it be another spammer, or legitimate company offering a service. Sometimes they will even try to trick you into responding by saying ‘Text STOP to be removed from the mailing list”, but you should IGNORE this.
Unfortunately, there is no ‘opt-out- system for spam messages, and it’s hard to stop these messages as often they are sent from SIM cards that are only active for a short while, and they can operate abroad. However, there are some steps you can take to help avoid spam text messages.
1. NEVER reply
Doing so confirms that your number is active, and you’ll likely receive more spam or marketing messages in the future.
2. Be careful of who you give your number to
When you fill in forms, especially for marketing companies or those asking if you permit them to pass on your details to a third party, don’t give your mobile number unless you absolutely have to.
3. Don’t list your mobile number anywhere online
That includes social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, even on pages where you think they are private.
4. Always check privacy policies and marketing opt-outs
These can be awkward as companies will want to be able contact you, so the trick here is to read the small print and follow instructions to avoid unnecessary communications.
5. Complain to the Information Commissioner (ICO)
See how to complain to the ICO
What to do if you receive a spam text.
While these options won’t stop spam texts altogether, doing so can reduce the amount of spam that is received, and the more people who do one or more of the follwing, theoretically the better everyone’s chances are for reducing spam in the future.
1. Report it to your network provider
The first option is to report it to your network provider. The big networks have simple methods to help you do this – we’ve listed these below.
If you are a Vodafone customer, forward the spam text to 87726.
If you are an O2 or Orange customer, forward to 7726
[We don't have the details for other networks, but if you know the numbers to contact, please mention them in the comments section below and we will add it to our list.]
2. Report it to the Information Commisioner
How to complain to the ICO
You can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office via the following methods:
First Contact Team
Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
SK9 5AF
The ICO is especially keen to hear about either calls or texts that describe a specific event or injury that has actually happened to you. This information may have been obtained illicitly from an employee disclosing confidential information.
