AdaptiveMobile Blogs

3rd July 2008    Current rating: 

Now here’s something ironic: Openmind Networks wants people to take a survey on cyberbullying by answering questions via text message. So ultimately some participants will get to pay premium rates and possibly open themselves up to mobile Spam. Brilliant! Trade one concern for another.

And speaking of mobile spam, The Independent’s Rhodri Marsden wrote a hilarious piece on an experience with mobile Spam, including some helpful hints on what to do: “So, how to fight back against the more pernicious messages? Firstly, make a fuss. If a premium rate number is advertised, complain to regulator PhonePayPlus on  0800 500 212. Or call your network; a spokesman for 3 advised us of an occasion where they managed to prevent SMS spammers gaining any revenue from a message – that action was as a result of customer complaints. Secondly, don't be tempted to act on its contents. Mark Harris, director of security experts Sophos Labs, makes the indisputable point that if spammers fail to make money from SMS, they'll give up. Oh, and be thankful you're not living in the US where you actually have to pay for the privilege of receiving each of these irksome notes.” Now here’s the ultimate in the combination of cyberbullying and mobile Spam in Australia: Queensland police are warning of a text message scam in which recipients are told they’ll be killed unless they pay $5000. “The text message states:

 It’s hard to believe that people fall for these types of things, but police in Australia did go as far as to work with Western Union to prevent money transfers to the name indicated in the Spam.

 

Frightening!

 

 

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