Text message spam

[benbaked]

Has anyone who's ordered online from Papa John's pizza received text message spam?

I just got four in a row today, one that mentioned a pizza deal, one of a picture of a papa john's logo, one of a picture of a pizza, and a fourth explaining how to opt-out. When I called the number to opt-out I got a voicemail recording of a company called "On Time For You" (I can't find them on google) that gives me options for going to individual people's voicemails or to leave a message to opt-out of the text message spam. It wants me to leave a voicemail message with my name, my phone number, and the name of the company sending me the spam (in this case Papa Johns) and the recording says they'll remove my phone number within ten days.

This sounds fishy. I do have an account with Papa Johns that I made when I ordered a pizza through their website a couple of weeks ago. I remember leaving the checkbox blank that asked if I wanted to receive advertising through SMS. I logged into my account just now and ensured that checkbox isn't checked. I don't want to give my name and phone number to some company who might just sign me up for more spam for all I know. The only things I can think of is to change my phone number in the Papa Johns account settings or see if I can delete my account through them. After getting four spams today (including one being a picture of their logo) I might find another pizza place. Text messages aren't free ya know. :-/

[4GHZ_or_bust]

Contact your cell phone provider tell them you're receiving spam messages, Tell them what date and time the messages came in (if you didn't delete them) and they can check your cell phone record and make report. I'm sure they will start blocking spammer source if they consistently come from the same number, and many people reported them.

[Xtreme Barton]

did you try googling the phone number too ?

[benbaked]

did you try googling the phone number too ?

:D No. :p

I found them. OnTime4U (http://www.ontime4u.us/howitworks.php). So this is something Papa John's set me up with. I sent an email to Papa John's last night through their website's comments form asking they please take me off of the text message list, and that the removal instructions given in the text message looked suspect to me. The website looks legit, I guess. :shrug:

4GHZ_or_bust: A couple of years ago Verizon told me they couldn't block individual numbers from sending texts, they could either completely turn text messaging off or change my phone number. I haven't tried with AT&T, I'll look into that too. :thup:

[FudgeNuggets]

:D No. :p

I found them. OnTime4U (http://www.ontime4u.us/howitworks.php). So this is something Papa John's set me up with. I sent an email to Papa John's last night through their website's comments form asking they please take me off of the text message list, and that the removal instructions given in the text message looked suspect to me. The website looks legit, I guess. :shrug:

4GHZ_or_bust: A couple of years ago Verizon told me they couldn't block individual numbers from sending texts, they could either completely turn text messaging off or change my phone number. I haven't tried with AT&T, I'll look into that too. :thup:

What kind of phone do you have? There is an awesome app for my Android that will block stuff. There may be a similar app for other smartphones.

[Hardin]

I had a problem like this a few years ago. Somehow I started getting text messages everyday about some stupid astrology stuff. It kind of creeped me out for a few days, but I found out their website and they had a way to opt out of it. I haven't had another spam text message since then.

[SteveLord]

TMobile blacklisted one for me.

[GIXXERGUY6]

I'm getting a local pizza company(vito's pizza)

might I add I've never ordered there with my phone

[Pinky]

That is just stupid.

Genius actually, since it's their sandbox (hence - their rules). The more texts, assuming you're not on an unlimited plan, the better for them since you could go over your monthly alotment and that's where they could make their REAL money at $0.20-0.30 each. Just about everything contract based nowadays is designed for people to fail, and as a result get penalized financially.

[Xtreme Barton]

^
thats why ive been using cdma provider for the longest .. flat rate no surprises

some argue they only provide certain phones etc... but thats when you get crafty with flashing phones

[benbaked]

What kind of phone do you have? There is an awesome app for my Android that will block stuff. There may be a similar app for other smartphones.

iPhone. I checked the app store for "sms spam" and "text spam" and it didn't find anything.

[Joeteck]

I know with ATT you can change your texting address... other than number@txt.att.net. So you can send & receive everyone in your contacts, but random people will not...

I changed mine when I started to get this crap years ago when texting was not that popular yet..

[4GHZ_or_bust]

KI'm on unlimited text plan (being deaf- no voice part used but I send and receive a lot) and I guess they do take the time to track down the spam and blacklist em for me since they won't make any more money off me. Plus my original 2 years contact is almost up, I'm sure they'll bend over backward far enough to lick their own butt to make sure I stay on. ;)

If your provider won't help you with the spam and you can't opt-out at all (or you get MORE), feel free to remind them how much of your contract time is remaining and how you'll look elsewhere... http://bestsmileys.com/evil/11.gif

EDIT when did they take out the evil smilies? :cry:

[FudgeNuggets]

iPhone. I checked the app store for "sms spam" and "text spam" and it didn't find anything.

The app I use is called CallFilter

check this out

http://www.iclarified.com/entry/index.php?enid=953

[Puer Aeternus]

Personally, I would call Papa Joes and complain. Unless you really really love their pizza. They need to realize that their advertising is a pain in the keister to you and costing you money.

[Enablingwolf]

If you have a phone number or web address. You can hit your control panel online for the line account and block it there.

It is in your spam settings. You get 5 numbers and I think about the same amount for web borne spam. If you are the account owner. Yo can send the block to all lines on the account.

Just because it had no mechanism in place a couple of years ago. Doers not mean it is like that now. Even though I have an all you can eat plan. I still sometimes block things from annoying me on my phone.

Hope you get it settled. Keep in mind the blocks do expire after certain time frame. One cool thing Verizon gives you. if you no longer like your number. Simply change it. I do believe you get one change free, and it is done on the account page. Oh and if you haven't yet. Grab that contact backup thing. Nice to be able to add contacts on your computer and send it to your phone. It is free if you use my verizon.

[benbaked]

^^^ Yeah I found AT&T has something similar on the preferences section of the page www.wireless.att.com/textmessaging. From there I am able to block specific email addresses from sending me texts, or block all email addresses. That should take care of the issue. Thanks! :thup:

[Enablingwolf]

:D Glad the direction I went in helped you get going. Once you find out that exists. It is easy to stop something and let it pass until it is fixed.

I was having issues with a gal calling my number for her boyfriend or something. At first it was to me a wrong number. Then she got all crappy with me and calling me a fibber (more colorful). Then she started texting me and mailing stuff. Not very nice of her. To try and flood my plan. Since i am all you can eat.. Won't cost me, but being annoyed. She won on that aspect.

Instead of calling the cops, which I told her I was going to. She knew she was getting number/web blocked. If she called on another number. I would use the call logs and forward it to the police as harassment. I was really polite firm with her, and Ohio has one party recording laws. Plus I know how to record calls on directly my phone... and I know she heard the buttons beeping(speaker phone) and me telling her I was recording.
The blocks worked well. Narry a peep from angry crazy gal her again. Even my wife was amused at it, but also concerned. I happen to of had a special ring tone for her number. So I knew what to do.