Consumer Reports Offers Tips for Curbing Cell Phone Spam Posted by Bob at 03/12/08 02:42 PM

The good people at our sister organization Consumer Reports have put together some helpful hints for dealing with the problem of cell phone spam.

"Cell-phone spam still trails computer spam, with the typical cell-phone user receiving at most a few spam text messages per year rather than the thousands that may bombard their computer-based e-mail accounts," says CR. "But in some ways, cell spam is more annoying. It can cause your phone to ring or vibrate at inopportune times and possibly cost you money—typically 10 to 25 cents per message if you don't have a text-messaging plan."

Since 2005, federal law has prohibited commercial e-mail and text messages to be sent to cell phones without "express prior authorization." Unfortunately, the law leaves commercial entities lots of loopholes. For example, it doesn't prevent your carrier or its partners from sending you upgrade offers or account notices. Also, non-commercial organizations such as charities and political campaigns can shoot you all the messages they want on your dime.

Click here to see Consumer Reports tips on curbing cell phone spam.

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