SMS & MMS SPAM [received on the Vodacom network][use: www.smscode.co.za]

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kvi

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ok we know how crap the dash is, but ive received a couple of spam sms's on the dash (like this one...int co looking for ambitious self driven people to lead our expansion in sa blah blah)

who is giving out our info or do you think its more like people who have mass sms software and just sms every bludy number???

ok thats not the problem right now. the prob is... if i delete any of these sms they just reload themselves 10 secs later.... like the server at vodacom just keeps sending them if it sees the box is empty. whats up with that.
 
Seen two ways that you get spam SMS.

1) Your number is on some bulk SMS database. How they got your number could be from a business card or many other ways.

2) Broadcasting to a range of numbers.

You can report them via the Vodacom web site, and should in my personal opinion. Spam SMS is going to be worse than spam mail.
You can call the advertiser but they'll just claim they're using a bulk SMS service.

Here's my (proposed) solution to spam SMS.

1) Set up a blacklist on your phone if it can do it. Some (smarter) phones can do this and I'm actively lobbying the manufacturers to include this feature on all phones.
2) Let the spammers send as many SMS's as they like. You'll only see it the first time and not again. They'll keep on paying for the SMS's so will financially be penalised for sending unseen spam. (yes, the network gets the traffic revenue.)

So, if they want to spam you, let them pay without getting any benefit.

PS. The above rant is my personal opinion and should not be seen as Vodacom policy. However, Vodacom does not condone spamming in any form.

PPS. Will check up why the SMS's reappear.
 
thanks v3g. however, all i have is datacard and sim card. no phone. have never even sent an sms or business card with this number COZ IT AINT FOR FREE. so they are spamming bunches of numbers..... will report on voda website.
 
Also getting spam. I don't even know my 3G cell number. The only time I use it is when I log on to the 4me website.
 
VODACOM unwilling to stop SPAM

Why are voda so unwilling to deal effectively with sms SPAM? I've been getting some irritating SMS messages and I definitely havent subscribed. One claims to be from voda themselves and invites me to call a 'free' 082 number. Their idea of action is to ask me to try my sim in another phone:-o Do all the dummies work there or have I just been unlucky?!
 
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I know for a fact that Nashua Mobile sold my details to Edgars
 
Edgars also seem to magically have my details, including the very same spelling mistakes in my name as found also on my Vodacom invoices.

On the plus side I don't think I have received more than 3 SPAM type sms messages in the last 6 years.
 
I have the same problem with Vodacom misspelling my name. It happened with my 1st contract 8 years ago and I still haven't been able to get it fixed, despite changing my contract twice.

But to matters at hand, that misspelling has found its way onto my ITC profile and that may be where Edgars are getting the incorrect information.
 
Skeptik said:
Why are voda so unwilling to deal effectively with sms SPAM?
Click to expand...

Not to sure why you think Vodacom is unwilling to deal with spam?

The problem with unsolicited SMS's is how to identify them. For example, the SMS you received; Is there any way to identify it as spam? If so, one could build filters for it, similar to e-mail filters. If it's a message from a valid number to a valid number, how would Vodacom know you did not give out your number? You see the problem?

You can report offending senders via the processes on the Vodacom web site. There are certain laws around spam that SMS spammers must adhere to, for example an opt-out.

I believe the answer is to treat SMS spam the same as e-mail spam. If one can identify it centrally, that should be looked at. If not, you should be able to set up a blacklist on your mobile that can filter SMS's based on originating number or content, just like e-mail.

I like the latter solution, i.e. you filter the spam on your handset. This way the spammer is hurt financially (he pays for the SMS) while you never see it. That'll teach them!

There are blacklisting apps available for some handsets.
 
SPAM = A lot of messages [more than 100] from one number / gateway subscriber.
That is NOT hard to identify.

Problem is that spam is probably the only thing that makes SMS Gateways viable.

If VODA treated every "more then 100 from a single point" as SPAM, and blocked the sender till they proved that it is not SPAM, then all would be OK. But - VODA are protected by stupid laws that are meant to protect us.

It's all BS.
 
:3G I dont feel obliged to register on your site in order to opt out of YOUR spam. It should be enough for me to identify rogue sms for someone to take action in reasonable time! If you cant or wont then dont promise to do so or you will look foolish. I have enough recordings of useless voda employees spouting equally useless drivel to start a library!
 
Skeptik said:
Why are voda so unwilling to deal effectively with sms SPAM? I've been getting some irritating SMS messages and I definitely havent subscribed.
Click to expand...
I don't get it - what is the connection between SMS spam and Vodacom's broadband offering? I.e. why post issues like this on this particular forum?
 
nextstep said:
Skeptik said:
Why are voda so unwilling to deal effectively with sms SPAM? I've been getting some irritating SMS messages and I definitely havent subscribed.
Click to expand...
I don't get it - what is the connection between SMS spam and Vodacom's broadband offering? I.e. why post issues like this on this particular forum?
Click to expand...
IMO the reason Skeptik posted here, is bcos v3g is extremely helpful with all Vodacom related issues, but the tone of the following post:
Skeptik said:
:3G I dont feel obliged to register on your site in order to opt out of YOUR spam. It should be enough for me to identify rogue sms for someone to take action in reasonable time! If you cant or wont then dont promise to do so or you will look foolish. I have enough recordings of useless voda employees spouting equally useless drivel to start a library!
Click to expand...
is rather unfair considering v3g has already posted a reasonable reply:
vodacom3g said:
Skeptik said:
Why are voda so unwilling to deal effectively with sms SPAM?
Click to expand...

Not to sure why you think Vodacom is unwilling to deal with spam?

The problem with unsolicited SMS's is how to identify them. For example, the SMS you received; Is there any way to identify it as spam? If so, one could build filters for it, similar to e-mail filters. If it's a message from a valid number to a valid number, how would Vodacom know you did not give out your number? You see the problem?

You can report offending senders via the processes on the Vodacom web site. There are certain laws around spam that SMS spammers must adhere to, for example an opt-out.

I believe the answer is to treat SMS spam the same as e-mail spam. If one can identify it centrally, that should be looked at. If not, you should be able to set up a blacklist on your mobile that can filter SMS's based on originating number or content, just like e-mail.

I like the latter solution, i.e. you filter the spam on your handset. This way the spammer is hurt financially (he pays for the SMS) while you never see it. That'll teach them!

There are blacklisting apps available for some handsets.
Click to expand...
Skeptik, if you have an idea as to how Vodacom can more effectively combat sms spam, then please post your solution.
 
I did call the Vodacom helpline and they told me to send an sms to 31221 with the word 'stop' in it.
This did not work, the spam voicemails I was getting were for upgrade to contract. I prefer to use pay-as-u-go simply because I dont want a contract cause it's a rip-off. AFAIK the law states that I have to opt IN to receive 'special' (annoying) offers, so what seems to be the problem with the spam not stopping?
 
Skeptik said:
:3G I don't feel obliged to register on your site in order to opt out of YOUR spam. It should be enough for me to identify rogue sms for someone to take action in reasonable time! If you cant or wont then don't promise to do so or you will look foolish. I have enough recordings of useless voda employees spouting equally useless drivel to start a library!
Click to expand...

Skeptic, think you misunderstood me, did not mean you must log onto Vodacom site to opt-out, rather there is a link somewhere where you can report spammers (and now I can''t find it!!)

I despise SPAM as much as anyone else and have often actually called the number in the SPAM SMS just to complain, so I know exactly where you're coming from.

Most frequent excuse is "Sorry, wrong number in our database, will remove you from list" which as someone posted is bs....

Read up on the SPAM act, some good info in there you can use.

Trying to fight spammers (e-mail or sms) is just about a lost cause. That's why I like the idea of a handset that can blacklist. This way you can even filter 'legit' SMS's (where you were forced to opt-in).

Lastly, if you receive any messages you deem spam from a number you believe is from Vodacom, post here or PM me and I'll follow it up. We had a case recently where forumites received SMS's from 'Vodacom', all false.
 
Bit of a funny story that happened to me with Vodafone.
I got a new contract (and a nifty 6680) after a bit of a run around (only been in the country so long, blah blah)

The first day I got a spam message trying to sell me bluetooth headphones. Very strange. I went onto Vodafone site and found I just needed to just reply with the word stop.

Fair enough. I got another spam message about yet another phone accessory offer, but there's wasn't an option to even reply to the SMS and it had come from Vodafone themselves.

I ended up calling the help desk and asking them if Vodafone would kindly stop sending me spam. They told me to just send a "stop" message in response and when I told them I couldn't and that the spam originated from Vodafone, there was some confusion.

Eventually it turned out that this wasn't spam - oh no, these were useful messages from Vodafone to help their customers. I replied politely that I would rather not have these messages and that was it - fixed.

It strikes me as being so funny that Vodafone themselves have no option to send a "stop" to their SPAM and consider the offers they send via SMS as being helpful messages.
 
Mcafee?

Mcafee offer a Virus scanner for mobiles, that just so happens to block sms spam. If you are being nailed badly, try that.
 
It sounds like many people have experienced this problem. Now if voda could just stop trading our numbers for cash, block spam numbers upon request <instead of giving late pointless advice> & actually follow up complaints we would have a better situation. Their advice today is to call a cell number to enquire why they sms'ed me! 3g ->That is precisely the revenue-generating act voda wants!!
 
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