SMS Text Scams Blog and SMS Text Scams Guide.

Posted by Fox on August 13, 2007 at 3:09 PM

I just had to make you aware of this free SMS text service, BUT it's one to avoid! Sure it's free to send an sms text using this service (only to Orange, O2, T-Mobile and THREE), but it costs the recipient a whopping £5.00 to read it! Yep, you can send it, but the recipient doesn't get the sms text message until they stump up £5 which is billed to the mobile phone bill.

The "not-so free sms text service" to avoid is freebiesms.co.uk

continued...

Posted by Fox on July 31, 2007 at 10:33 AM

Anonymous SMS text services allow an individual to send an SMS text message to a mobile phone without revealing their identity to the recipient. I can't think of one legitimate reason for wanting to withhold the sender details. I'm happy to be corrected, but surely these services are only used for griefing people.

ICSTIS have released details of the Public Consultation on the "Regulation of Anonymous SMS Messaging Services". This follows a complaint in 2006 from a woman that received an anonymous SMS text message stating that her son had been killed in a car crash...

"Hello mrs roberts your son gary has been killed in a car accident sorry good bye"

Read the Public Consultation here (PDF Document).

Posted by Fox on June 27, 2007 at 5:09 PM

In this, the first of a series of articles on SMS text spam, I cover what SMS Text Spam is, and how the SMS text spammers got your mobile number of cell number in the first place..

My Definition of SMS Text Spam is straight forward: A disruptive, unwanted, commercial SMS text message sent to a mobile phone or cell phone.

Unfortunately there are far too many ways to have you number appear on an SMS text spammers database, but essentially it's either you gave your number out

1. Buying Mobile Content

When buying a ring tone, a mobile game or other mobile entertainment, the terms and conditions of the service provider often include a clause that gives the provider permission to send you SMS text advertising messages. Though technically this isn't SMS text spam, its no less irritating. This clause is often referred to as opt-in,  meaning that you can opt-out of receiving SMS text messages from the provider.

2. Downloading Free Mobile Content

This differs slightly to 'Buying Mobile Content' in that the provider often gives you no option to opt-out from receiving the SMS text spam. They're of the opinion that they're giving you a free ring tone, free mobile game or other such mobile content, in exchange to your agreeing to receive their SMS text messages.

3. Using a Free SMS Text Service

Be in no doubt that ALL of the free SMS text service providers collect mobile numbers. What matters is what they plan to do with it once they have it.

It's worth noting at this point that ALL SMS text messages sent to a mobile phone or cell phone have a cost, and although some free sms text providers can get that cost down to fractions of a penny, it is still a cost that they incur.

The reputable free SMS providers will go to great lengths to protect your personal data and NOT disclose your number to ANY third parties. They will however happily send you an SMS text advertising message on behalf of a third party. They will charge a fee to the business wanting to advertise to you., it's how they generate a profit and they make this very clear in their terms and conditions. It's an acceptable trade off.

The less reputable free sms providers operate with less care for your personal data, and although they're terms and conditions include a clause to send you SMS text advertising, they may send an excessive number of messages, or even sell their database of mobile numbers to third parties.

4. Someone else used a Free SMS Text Service

The same less reputable Free SMS providers will collect the mobile numbers of recipients. For example, a friend used a free SMS service to send you a text, you're number will have been stored for use as they see fit.

5. Pure Speculation

This is probably the easiest method an SMS text spammer can use to collect mobile numbers. They simply speculate. If mobile number 099912345678 has been issued by an operator or network, then it's very, very likely that the 09991234566 and 099912345679 have also been issued at some point.

Having collected a number of known numbers, the spammer can use a simple program to generate a list of other likely numbers.

Related : Data protection isn't enough to save mobile advertising

Posted by Fox on June 27, 2007 at 1:17 PM

The keywords when considering buying mobile numbers for you advertising campaign are DON'T, DON'T DON'T!

Aside from the fact that data protection and privacy laws often make it illegal, there are a number of other considerations to take in to account.

1. No professional outfit worth working with will sell you the mobile numbers.

2. You have no way of knowing if the mobile numbers are vaild or even in use before purchasing them.

3. Any message you send to the mobile numbers will be consider unsolicited SMS text spam. You could yourself featured on Grumble Text.

4. The SMS text provider you use to send the text message, will have their own rules regarding the use of their service to send spam sms text messages. You could find yourself banned from using the service.

There are alternatives to buying mobile numbers. You can use a reputable SMS text advertising service, or start collecting mobile numbers on an opt-in basis yourself. I'l be putting together an article on how to collect mobile numbers on an opt-in basis.

Posted by Fox on June 20, 2007 at 4:21 PM

I'm working like at madman to finish of some major tweaks on this site. You may notice one or two pages not working at intended. I should be done in a couple of hours.

Posted by Fox on April 23, 2007 at 10:09 PM

So ICSTIS, the regulator of Premium Rate SMS Text and Telephone services in the UK, has today announced it's intention to investigate Opera Interactive Technology following tonights Panaroma Documentary on BBC1.

I wonder if arses are twiching at MTV and The Cartoon Network? Seems they too are clients of OIT.

ICSTIS is aware of the serious allegations against GMTV that have been reported in today’s press and are due to be featured in tonight’s edition of Panorama on BBC 1.

As a consumer protection body, ICSTIS has a duty to investigate any potential breaches of its Code of Practice that are brought to its attention. As a result, ICSTIS has formally written to Panorama to request a copy of all of the evidence on which the programme’s allegations are founded.

ICSTIS will also be contacting all of the parties involved in the provision of the premium rate service in question.

Shouldn't take too long though. It seems ICSTIS know their way around the Opera Interactive Techology / Opera Telecom offices, having already given them numerous formal reprimands and fined them more than £2o0,000 for various breaches of premium rate SMS text and Telephone line regulations in the past.

You can see the details of their scruffy past on the ICSTIS web site.

Related:

Related:
GMTV Text Scam Sprobe Airs Tonight
Original GMTV Response to SMS Text Scam Allegation
GMTV sack Opera Interactive Technology

Posted by Fox on April 23, 2007 at 9:37 PM

In a revised statement made this afternoon, GMTV, the television company at the center of a premium rate SMS text competition scam involving both SMS text and premium rate telephone lines, announce they have sacked their supplier, Opera Interactive Technology (formerly Opera Telecom).

Quite a turn around to the statement published this morning. Read it here

GMTV is shocked and saddened by the allegations made in tonight`s Panorama.

The first we knew of any problem with our voting system was when we were approached by Panorama some ten days ago with some of the claims made in the programme.

We immediately contacted Opera Interactive Technology  – the telephone company we use to handle our competition lines – for clarification.  Opera said the allegations were unfounded, however our own enquiries then showed there were irregularities in the system they were operating.  We apologise profusely to our viewers, who, understandably, feel let down.

Our contract with Opera makes it quite clear that competition finalists could only be chosen after the lines were closed giving every viewer an opportunity of winning.  It is now clear this detailed process was not adhered to by some Opera employees.

We have therefore terminated our contract with Opera with immediate effect and our competitions will be suspended until further notice.

ICSTIS have launched an enquiry into Opera`s systems.  Panorama has said that as much as £40m could have been lost because of this.  We believe the real figure, although substantial, will be considerably lower than this.

We are determined to reimburse our viewers who believe they have lost out in entering our competitions and are urgently investigating ways in which we can do so.

The trust of our viewers is paramount to GMTV and we will take all steps necessary to regain it.

Paul Corley, Managing Director of GMTV, will be appearing on GMTV tomorrow to discuss the allegations.

Related:
GMTV Text Scam Sprobe Airs Tonight
Original GMTV Response to SMS Text Scam Allegation
ICSTIS set to investigate Opera Interactive Technology