Obscene text service messages

djbd1973

If anyone can give any suggestions I would be grateful.

My sister rang me yesterday evening quite upset because she has received a text of an adult nature detailing a web address to go to and this is the second time it has happened recently. She has only had the phone for a few months and does not give out her number to people.

I suggested she ring Orange to put a stop on the number but they said they cannot as it isn't illegal but there is a danger that her children will hear the phone beap and pick it up to read it one day and it is not a scenario.

She has also tried to text 'STOP' to the number but the phone wouldn't let her do it.

Is there another way that she can stop these text messages coming through because in my view, it appears she has got on a database of some sort and its not right.

Thanks in advance

reehsetin

can she not change the number?

loudcox

The only thing I can suggest is registering with the Telephone Preference Service at http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/tps/.

From their website: "It is a legal requirement that all organisations (including charities, voluntary organisations and political parties) do not make such calls to numbers registered on the TPS unless they have your consent to do so."

djbd1973

reehsetin wrote: »

can she not change the number?

Unfortunately she stopped using her original number a few months ago due to her ex being abusive which got the police involved. She doesn't want to have to change the number again if she can avoid it because of the hassle involved.

As far as we know the ex does not have the new number and she is protective of her new number... but obviously someone has got hold of it.

If we could block the messages assuming that it is the same company sending them then this would be the way I was thinking of going but both my sister and I have been on the internet to find a solution but haven't found one yet other than change the number. Thanks though.

djbd1973

loudcox wrote: »

The only thing I can suggest is registering with the Telephone Preference Service at http://www.mpsonline.org.uk/tps/.

From their website: "It is a legal requirement that all organisations (including charities, voluntary organisations and political parties) do not make such calls to numbers registered on the TPS unless they have your consent to do so."

Didn't think of that - does it work on mobiles?

prestonlass

you can't go changing your number, what happens next time some purvy company gets hold of your number, you could be changing every month at that rate. I agree, these companies drive me mad:mad: . I have no wish to be invited to talk sex with stangers, look at creepy nudes, be they man or woman and wish that someone, anyone could get these stopped. I shall keep my eye on this thread to see if some knowledgable person has any sensible ideas.

reehsetin

if they charge for the texts they should be covered by a governing body for the life of me cant remember who they are (Orange cs should have the info), if shes not then im not sure :S
if its just texts not phone calls it may be worth changing the number and putting the new number in the voicemail so people will get it, and if the company is just texting its unlikely they would listen to the message?

have you tried googling the company to get an address and sending a letter by recorded delivery asking them to stop otherwise you will report to the police for harrasment and obscenity

prestonlass

registering with TPS was great for home line, hadn't thought about mobile but I will look into that, great this site, someone always comes up with a good suggestion.

Murtle

Vodafone has VSPAM does orange have something similar??

Basically on Vodafone you can forward a text message to VSPAM (which uses the correct numbers on the key pad and they then look in to the site that is sending the spam stuff

djbd1973

Murtle wrote: »

Vodafone has VSPAM does orange have something similar??

Basically on Vodafone you can forward a text message to VSPAM (which uses the correct numbers on the key pad and they then look in to the site that is sending the spam stuff

Thats an idea. Leaving work now but will look into that when I get home from work. Thanks

djbd1973

reehsetin wrote: »

if they charge for the texts they should be covered by a governing body for the life of me cant remember who they are (Orange cs should have the info), if shes not then im not sure :S
if its just texts not phone calls it may be worth changing the number and putting the new number in the voicemail so people will get it, and if the company is just texting its unlikely they would listen to the message?

have you tried googling the company to get an address and sending a letter by recorded delivery asking them to stop otherwise you will report to the police for harrasment and obscenity

Not sure if she is being charged for the text. Will ask her to see if she can keep a record of calls and costs (if she can find the time to be disciplined in that way) otherwise I'll ask her if she can get a costs breakdown from Orange.

Thanks