According to reports, mobile users in the United States received almost 6 billion spam texts every month in 2020. With such staggering numbers, users are looking for ways to avoid mobile spam texts in any way possible. Shamis & Gentile, P.A., expert spam text lawyers in Florida, explain how you can safeguard yourself.
When is a text defined as spam?
Similar to spam email, automated and unwanted commercial Short Messaging Services (SMS) from businesses are known as spam texts. These messages are typically unsolicited and sent out in bulk, creating a nuisance for mobile users most times. They can drain your phone’s electronic resources and in certain situations, lead to higher chargers by your mobile service provider. In more dangerous situations, spam texts sent by scammers can dupe users into providing sensitive information such as banking details.
Spam text lawsuit
In 1991, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) was established to ban businesses from harassing consumers with unsolicited messages and calls using automated systems. This Act is upheld even if the mobile user has not placed a business on the Do-Not-Call registry. In 2012, the TCPA was amended to include newer types of technology. According to the Act, telemarketers and businesses must follow certain regulations to protect consumers including no contact without consent and providing an option to opt-out of all calls and messages.
Businesses who do not abide by the regulations of the TCPA, especially those harassing consumers with multiple spam texts, can be subject to fines or lawsuits. Victims of such harassment can hire expert attorneys such as Shamis & Gentile P.A. to move forward with legal action and demand compensation. If you are a consumer who has been bombarded with spam texts, we recommend following these steps:
- Take a screenshot of the text messages and email them to yourself as evidence.
- Save the number, name of the business and other details that the text contains.
- Send us the screenshots and evidence at info@shamisgentile.com
- Give us a call for a free consultation to discuss the way forward.
Stop unwanted calls and texts
The most important step in putting an end to the spam texts is to avoid responding to them. It is also critical that you never provide any sensitive or personal information and click on any links as it may lead to the installation of malware on your device.
Next, you can block the numbers from where you are receiving the spam texts. Follow the steps below to do so.
iPhone:
- Click on the text and then the phone number on top of the screen.
- Tap the small information button (‘i’) on the next screen.
- Select ‘Block This Caller’.
Android:
- Tap on the text to open it.
- Click on the icon with the three dots on the top right-hand corner.
- Select the option ‘Block Number’.
These methods may work perfectly to block specific numbers that send out spam texts but generally, telemarketers and scammers rotate numbers and use new ones to engage with consumers.
It is also recommended to add your number to the National Do Not Call registry, which can substantially cut down on the number of spam texts you receive. When you do receive spam texts, you have the option to report this to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Thus, if you are a victim of contact spam text harassment and are looking to avoid these mobile spam texts, contact Shamis & Gentile P.A. today.
