
To make those annoying automated robot-voice sales calls (read more about that – Here). The accessibility makes it easy and quick for unethical marketers to start sending junk messages. “Automated phone dialing software” is even worse, 3.4 million, and quicker too! (However, there are still physical machines in use too)Ī quick search on Google for “automated text message software” comes back with over 776,000 results in less than a second.
Random text spammer download#
Nowadays, anyone with a laptop can download automated dialing system software. A further problem that aggravates the issue is the availability of auto dialers.Ī few years ago, auto dialers were physical machines. However, there are many whose negligence is to blame. When automated dialing systems are used to send thousands of text messages a day, this can cost a company millions of dollars in fines. Victims of this behavior, some of which get dozens of unwanted junk messages or calls within the span of a few months, can get up to $1,500 in damages from the sender – for each time the sender contacted them! The moment a company, or individual, uses an automated dialing or texting machine to contact your phone (or even leave you a voicemail) without your consent, they are in breach of Telephone Consumers Protection Act. They are illegal when used for evil (aka contacting people without express prior written content). This is what everyday spammers and junk message senders use to contact you. Furthermore, it is all done without any intervention from an individual like you, or me. I will explain: AUTOMATED DIALING & TEXTING SYSTEMSĪutomated dialing systems are equipment, which can store or find phone numbers to be contacted using a random sequence. However, when misused, these are also illegal according to the TCPA. Automatic dialing and texting systems are doing it for them. That means that there is nobody personally typing a text message to each person, telling them about Rubik’s cubes and hurricanes.

Rosen is at 10 am today.”Īdditionally, they CAN contact you in case of true emergencies, like in the case of a countrywide hurricane warning.Īll of the messages we are talking about have one thing in common: “Your package will arrive between 9am-12pm tomorrow, August 5 th, 2018.”Īlternatively, when confirming an appointment: In particular,time-sensitive, situations where communication is necessary. (Of course, there are exceptions to the rule.) Without your express prior written consent, nobody may send you automated text messages of any kind. This law stops businesses from calling you or sending you unsolicited automated messages for marketing reasons. If you did not explicitly approve any contact from the company in writing, it is still strictly illegal for them to do so, according to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). If Toyland is having a Rubik’s cube sale, or if AMC is launching a new life insurance policy they feel you should know about… Real companies legitimately want you to buy something from their business. Whereas scammers have mischievous intentions: Unwanted junk messages will look slightly different than scam text messages.

Then the message is just a legitimate, yet completely unsolicited, junk message. That is the first reason why it is not a good idea to reply. Replying “unsubscribe” or “stop” will put you ON their priority list to send you MORE text messages – from perhaps seemingly different numbers.

…because people tend to change numbers all the time. When they do find one, they are still not sure whether the phone number is valid… However, the sender could also be someone with more nefarious intentions…įraud artists search the internet for any mobile phone numbers that suit their criteria. In this case, if you reply “Stop,” they would be legally obligated to stop. The best case scenario is that this is a legitimate business, sending you a genuine offer.Įven then it is likely illegal according to the Telephone Consumers Protection Act, TCPA, but we will get to that later. Here’s the first reason why you should not reply: You probably have no idea how they got your number, but realizing it is spam, you think of replying “stop.” But, it’s from a number you have never seen before…Ĭonfirm your entry to the competition by replying with “X.”ĭon’t want to receive this message again? Unsubscribe with the word “Stop.” You look down at your phone to see a new message. You just walked in the front door when you hear a familiar…
