HARRISBURG – Attorney General Tom Corbett urged consumers to be alert for scam and “spam” text messages on their personal cell phones and urged consumers to never divulge personal information in response to an unsolicited text message.
Corbett explained that the Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection has been receiving a steadily increasing number of complaints about unwanted cell phone text messages – primarily involving advertisements for pre scri ption drugs and pornography.
Additionally, Corbett said some identity theft “phishing” schemes have now reportedly migrated from email to text messaging. These fraudulent messages typically alert consumers that their bank or credit card information may have been “compromised” and request that they call a toll-free number to correct the problem. Consumers who call the scam number are asked to provide their account number, password or PIN number – leaving them vulnerable to ID theft.
“Scam artists and identity thieves are always looking for new ways to disguise their scheme and reach out to new potential victims – especially young people, who are much more likely to use text message services,” Corbett said. “Text messages that appear to come from banks, credit card companies or other legitimate businesses are the latest tools that thieves are using to trick consumers into giving up vital personal information.”
Corbett said that unwanted “spam” text messages can also be costly for consumers, who may be charged fees ranging from $.10 to $.50 per message that they receive.
Corbett offered the following tips for consumers interested in preventing unwanted “spam” or scam text messages:
-Be careful when asked for your telephone number. Giving your phone number in response to contests or online promotions can lead to unwanted calls and messages.
-Never respond to an unsolicited text message – it only lets the sender know they’ve reached a working number and may lead to more messages.
-If your wireless provider bills you for an unsolicited message, contact them and ask them to remove the charge or give you a credit for those fees.
-If your cell phone company will not waive fees for unsolicited text messages, file a consumer complaint – The Bureau of Consumer Protection will work with the company to resolve the problem.
If you do not wish to receive any text messages, consider asking your cell phone provider to block all text message services for your phone.
Report messages that are deceptive, offensive or advertise illegal products or services.
“Consumers need to take an active role in the process of reducing unwanted cell phone ads and scams,” Corbett said. “Be cautious about the services you subscribe to; be wary of urgent messages that request personal information; and report any messages that ‘seem too good to be true’ or advertise illegal items.”
Corbett said that any type of advertisement – including text messages – that is deceptive, misleading or confusing is a violation of the state’s Consumer Protection Law. In addition, Corbett said that Pennsylvania’s Unsolicited Telecommunications Advertisement Act, approved in 2002, also prohibits certain types of unsolicited commercial e-mails, faxes and text messages. Various federal laws also restrict unwanted text message “spam.”
Corbett said the Attorney General’s Office received approximately 1,000 complaints per year about unwanted electronic advertisements, which includes cell phone text messages along with e-mail and fax “spam.” The Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection works with cell phone services, telephone companies and internet providers to identify any “spammers” or scam artists operating in Pennsylvania.
Corbett noted that the majority of these unwanted electronic ads and scams originate overseas, often making it extremely difficult to track the individuals responsible.
Consumers with questions or concerns about possible text message scams, or other consumer problems, can contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection toll-free hotline at 1-800-441-2555 or file an online complaint using the Attorney General’s Web site.
Consumer tips, scam alerts and other related information is also available on the Attorney General’s Web site.