SMS spam in SA is a growing problem

[n00berizer]

Get rid of your phone if it's not a droid.

Purchase an Android.

Install Mr. Number Call Blocker

Whenever you receive a spam sms add it to the blacklist.

For bonus points sent all "Private Calls" to /dev/null - if everyone were to do this then the telemarketers would lose the battle that until very recently they were winning.

???

PROFIT

 

[n00berizer]

To the best of my knowledge the networks recycle mobile numbers after a month of no billing...it appears they are not doing an automatic mass unsubscribe on these numbers before recycling.

60 days boet.

 

[ProSMS]

And if I Google that number where I got the spam from?

http://www.numbertool.com/0712752553

Looks like I'm not the only one...

Juice

If the spam comes from a number like 071 275 2553, it was most likely sent via an international SMS gateway. WASPA has no jurisdiction over this. The local networks are 100% to blame for this, as they would with a bit of effort be able to filter and drop all international messages, that spoof a local number. Secondly, they charge all their subscribers and all their WASPs for terminating SMS messages on their network, but allow other networks to terminate SMS messages on their network for free. They simply need to put the effort in to charge appropriate interconnect fees for anyone wanting to terminate messages on their network.

If a message comes from a number that looks like +2782007215XXXX (note the two zeros after 8200 ), then a WASP was most likely involved, and WASPA can help with this.

If a message comes from an international route, but advertises a premium rate mobile content service and has a shortcode ( eg 35010) in the message, WASPA can also help as it would go for the WASP that owns the shortcode.

 

[ProSMS]

To the best of my knowledge the networks recycle mobile numbers after a month of no billing...it appears they are not doing an automatic mass unsubscribe on these numbers before recycling.

The networks don't track who is subscribed to which service at all. Currently each WASP keeps track of this. WASPs running subscription services can practically bill any cellphone for various amounts. The networks will not know if this is done fraudulently, until someone complains. Even then, it will be the word of the consumer against the word of the WASP.

Regarding recycling of numbers it works as follows: Vodacom: WASPs submit a date of subscription with each billing attempt. If this date is earlier than the last recycle date, the billing will fail. MTN sends an error code to WASPs on a billing attempt after recycling, which should tell the WASP to stop billing. Cell C sends a list of recycled numbers to each WASP regularly, which the WASP has to unsubscribe.

 

[milomak]

i was surprised to receive spam from the DA over the weekend. which is strange as there's no political party that has my contact details.

 

[dominic]

60 days boet.

thanks boet

The networks don't track who is subscribed to which service at all. Currently each WASP keeps track of this. WASPs running subscription services can practically bill any cellphone for various amounts. The networks will not know if this is done fraudulently, until someone complains. Even then, it will be the word of the consumer against the word of the WASP.

Regarding recycling of numbers it works as follows: Vodacom: WASPs submit a date of subscription with each billing attempt. If this date is earlier than the last recycle date, the billing will fail. MTN sends an error code to WASPs on a billing attempt after recycling, which should tell the WASP to stop billing. Cell C sends a list of recycled numbers to each WASP regularly, which the WASP has to unsubscribe.

useful, thank you

 

[xrapidx]

I see the CPA requires service provides to provide us with an option to stop 3rd party billing - guess what I'm doing on the 1st of April.

 

[dominic]

i'll be renewing my contract - they should be nice and disorganised - and will try the same

 

[xrapidx]

i'll be renewing my contract - they should be nice and disorganised - and will try the same

Quick question, which you might have the answer too, if you renew your contract after the 1st of April - does the CPA apply to the renewal, or only to new contracts?

 

[dominic]

Quick question, which you might have the answer too, if you renew your contract after the 1st of April - does the CPA apply to the renewal, or only to new contracts?

my understanding is that it is a new agreement and will be subject to the Act