What is SMS spam, you may ask? Isn't spam something you primarily receive by email? No, not anymore. More and more Danes are receiving SMS messages from unknown senders with spam-like messages, and we predict that it will become more common in 2014 - unfortunately.
SMS spam is a relatively new area and not something the consumer ombudsman has really dealt with yet. We want to clarify the characteristics you should be aware of when SMS spam arrives on your mobile phone.
Be prepared
There are no spam filters for the SMS inbox like there are for the email inbox, and the spam industry knows this. Therefore, in most cases, the SMS will reach your mobile phone. They know that because mobile users read almost all SMS messages, and even within a short period of time, they will also read spam messages. You usually don't realise it's spam until you read the SMS. Be aware and critical of text messages from numbers you don't recognise.
Pay attention to the language
One characteristic of these SMS spam messages is that they are often in English or other foreign languages. However, it's only a matter of time before they start crafting spam in Danish. Therefore, be aware if the language is either foreign or poorly translated into Danish. This can be one of the hallmarks of SMS spam.
Pay attention to links and content
The spam industry wants you to either click on a link or reply to the SMS. If the messages contain links, check if the sender is recognisable and the language it is written in. If you are unsure, don't press anything and never reply to the messages. People trust their mobile phones far more than other forms of communication, so don't let the content fool you. Often the lure is that you have won competitions or that they need your help with something. Is it too good to be true? Or do the messages arouse the slightest suspicion? Then delete them immediately.
Check if your mobile number is available on the Internet
Spam companies typically retrieve your mobile number from the Internet. This can happen if you have entered a competition where your information has not been protected or if all your information is available on specific websites. Consider whether you need to hide this information if you receive SMS spam. Also report it to your telecoms provider so they are aware of the issue.
What are we doing to stop SMS spam?
We are aware of SMS spam ourselves and make sure our customers and recipients are part of a spam-free environment. If one of our customers breaks the guidelines, we will take the necessary measures and exclude the customer from our service. This should benefit you so that you don't receive phishing attempts or other spam.
According to the law, companies that market via SMS and are authorised by you to do so must always give the mobile user the option to unsubscribe from the service via SMS. Use it as a benchmark to see if it's real or if someone is misusing your mobile number without authorisation.
If you are a company that is unsure whether you comply with the guidelines or if you are a private individual who receives SMS spam and would like to stop it, you are welcome to contact us. Contact us by phone (+45 88 33 66 99) or leave a comment below.
