Watch out for SMS alerts offering rewards or urging immediate action, as they frequently result in surprise charges on your phone bill. Responding impulsively or dialing a listed contact can land you in a costly snare. This guide outlines the riskiest message varieties and shares strategies to safeguard against them.
SMS isn't always just for sharing info. Alerts claiming giveaways, discounts, or pressing directives typically seek to prompt hasty replies. Even a brief response or return call can activate fees.
Common phrasing builds a sense of haste or emergency. Typical instances are notes like 'Final opportunity to verify,' 'Claim your award before midnight,' 'Respond right away,' or 'Take action to prevent fees.'
These prompts aim to push users into reacting without scrutinizing the details or potential expenses. This rushed approach is what renders such SMS especially hazardous.
Enticements like vacation deals, unique awards, or premium perks rank as top draws. The alerts seem legitimate, referencing familiar companies or implying a secured gain. Users are directed to dial a particular line or send a text to claim the supposed reward.
These frequently involve premium-rate lines or paid services that levy fees. Codes such as 0900, 0137, or 0180 often signal steep per-minute rates. Charges start right away but show up on the bill later. Victims typically discover the deception only after reviewing their statement.
Unwanted promotional SMS violates the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in most cases.
The law covers electronic communications beyond plain SMS, extending to MMS, email, and RCS. Promos sent through apps like WhatsApp fall under the same rules. Dispatching ads without permission counts as undue consumer disturbance and breaks the law.
Without prior approval, recipients can insist the sender halt future dispatches. Consumer advocacy groups and judges often classify this as a violation of fair trade statutes.
Telecommunications Act rules are relevant too. When an SMS lists phone numbers or prompts callbacks, any associated costs must be disclosed upfront.
For any dubious SMS, avoid all responses and calls to mentioned numbers. Save the text, noting the origin and details. Forward reports of infractions to your carrier.
This piece first ran in our affiliate outlet PC-WELT, adapted from its German version.
Since 2016, Florian Kastner has freelanced in IT and marketing writing. With a computer science background and hands-on expertise, he focuses on AI, Android, and VPN subjects. Once a ghostwriter, he's contributed to tech periodicals and firms like Hubspot. His drive lies in simplifying intricate topics into accessible guides and step-by-step lessons.