OFCOM is the UK regulator for Television, radio and video sectors, fixed line telecoms, mobiles, postal services and the broadcast frequencies.
A spam text is any Marketing text message sent to your mobile phone where you have not previously given them permission to send the texts and it is illegal for anyone to send you these unsolicited text messages without that permission.
If there is an existing customer relationship between you and the sender, the business can send you text messages about similar products and services, as long as you are given the ability to opt out of receiving such messages.
This law does not cover messages sent to business numbers, so there’s less you can do to stop spam texts to your business.
STOP
If you receive a text message from a sender you are familiar with, or from a shortcode (usually 5 digits long but can be up to 8), reply ‘STOP’ to the sender and that should be last such message.
However, if the text is from someone you don’t recognise then replying with any kind of message might be seen as an invitation to them to keep sending messages to you whether you want them, or not.
Instead, you can report the text to your network operator – forward the text to 7726 (it spells out spam on the keyboard).
Complaining to Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
Making a complaint is simple. You can do it online, by phone or by post, and it is a quick process.
The ICO has powers to investigate any suspected breaches of the regulations, and take enforcement action against any organisation breaching the rules.
You can complain to the ICO as follows:
Phone the helpline on 0303 123 1113
through the ICO website at https://ico.org.uk/
by post: Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF
If you have any experiences with these scams do let me know, by email.
