How to Prevent Unsolicited Text Messages on a Cell Phone

Unsolited text messages can cost you each time you recieve one.

Cellular providers charge customers for voice, data and texting usage, whether the customer uses these services on purpose or not. Periodically, cellular providers offer their customers add-on packages that allow incremental to unlimited amounts of text messages as part of a monthly plan. Without one of these add-on packages, receiving unsolicited text messages can potentially rack up your monthly phone bill. If this is happening to you, you can either call your cellular provider and request a full block of texts on your cell phone or follow online prompts to block certain phone numbers only.

Instructions

1. Write down the phone numbers that show up on the caller ID on your cell phone, indicating what phone numbers the unsolicited text messages are coming from.

2. Call your cellular provider's customer service number, usually by dialing "*611" from your handset. Ask the representative what your options are for blocking unwanted text messages.

3. Find out if there are any fees for blocking unsolicited text messages and whether or not the cellular provider can block just one to five numbers or if you can put a complete block on the phone.

4. Log on to your cellular provider's website, if you are instructed to do so, and follow the provider's instructions on how to register and block the offending phone numbers.

5. Access your voicemail system and re-record your outgoing phone message to let callers know your phone is no longer accepting text messages if you choose to have a complete texting block added to your phone.

Tips & Warnings

• Unsolicited text messages can be illegal if they are in a sales context. If you feel you need take further action outside of working with your cellular provider, you may file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission.

• If you are repeatedly receiving unsolicited text messages from an individual that implies bodily harm or other threats, do not delete the text messages. Instead, contact your local law enforcement for assistance before contacting your cellular provider to stop the unwanted harassment. Local law enforcement may need to see the text messages as part of an investigation.

References

• WGAL TV: How to STOP Unwanted Text Messages

Resources

• Federal Communications Commission