The addition of cell phones to the state’s do not call list for telemarketers has made the service even more popular, but it also has some businesses changing tactics in how they reach out to consumers. Some have turned to text messaging, and it can end up costing cell phone users money to see a message they didn’t necessarily ask for.
State Division of Consumer Protection Administrator Janet Jenkins says, while the no call list stops telemarketers from talking to you, the law only applies to voice communications. As a result, it does not prevent businesses from sending you unwanted text messages.
Jenkins says the agency has received complaints. However, she says they can’t do anything about them until there’s a change in state law to incorporate texting technology.
Meanwhile, it’s not just businesses that are using texting. Identity thieves have also turned to the technology as part of phishing schemes formerly seen in e-mail or over the phone. Jenkins says you should be wary of any text message asking for personal information or claiming to be from a bank or credit card. If you receive one, she suggests looking up contact information for the business on your own and calling to verify the request, rather than using any phone number included in a text message.