The number of unsolicited text messages received by consumers nationwide is on the increase. Texting is now one of the most popular ways to communicate and rogue companies are taking advantage of this fact and are bombarding people with spam. In some cases, these messages have led to unexpected charges on cell phone bills, so it is very important to be vigilant. There are also a lot of scamming going on via text message.
A typical scam text message will tell the recipient that there is a problem with their bank account, and the recipient is instructed to get in touch by calling a toll-free number. Once they call this number, they are asked to provide personal information and bank account details. Consumers are advised never to give out personal information to unknown callers and to avoid clicking on links that embedded in unsolicited text messages. Although unsolicited text messages are relatively new problem, nuisance calls are a significant problem and have been for some time. However, there are ways to reduce the number of calls you receive.
In this country, citizens can add their home and cell phone number to the federal government’s National Do Not Call Register. Once their number is on this list, telemarketers are prevented from making unsolicited calls to these numbers. It is free to add your numbers to this register. You should receive fewer unsolicited calls within 31 days of adding your number to the list. If you continue to receive cold calls, you should let the caller know that your number is on the Do Not Call Register.
There are also online services available that allow you to find out information on who called you. For example, if you receive a call from an unknown number with the area code 212, you can find area code 212 data online. Keep a note of these rogue numbers, and you can screen the calls if they try to reach you in the future.
When you are feeling harassed by nuisance calls and want to stop spam calls, you should lodge an official complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. You can also complain to the firm’s compliance officer or your state’s securities regulator.
Get in contact with your phone provider and inquire about the services they provide for protecting you against unwanted calls and texts. Think about a call blocker device which can be attached to your phone and will ask the caller for their information before they are connected to you. Pay attention to “opt in” and “opt out” clauses in marketing information. This information is usually at the bottom, buried in the small print. It can sometimes be worded in a way that is meant to confuse readers, so be sure you understand and are choosing the intended option. Consider buying a phone that shows the number of the caller on the screen. That way you can screen the call if it is from an unfamiliar number.