Hello everyone, I represent an organization that is currently working with the major carriers in Malaysia such as Celcom, DIGi, and Maxis to try and take control of the SMS spam environment. And now, as a part of my ongoing research efforts, I'd like to ask for the community's help! I am currently trying to gather as many spam SMS messages as possible, and if you're willing to help I can offer each of you an RM10 topup for every three spam SMS messages you send to me. If you're interested, please forward spam SMS messages to 013 631 3069. Each message must be prefixed with the text "SMS SPAM" so that I know where the messages are coming from. Example: Please also send a follow up text that contains the number you received the message from; you can also add the number to the end or beginning of the text as long as there is enough room for it. Also I'm working on a Web form and will update this post with the URL when it's up and running, which might make it easier to submit this information. Thank you everyone in advance for your help and I will answer any questions you have to the best of my ability.
Well, like what Adrian said, how do you combat the spam by forwarding them? I don't think you can see the source doing that.
That's what I wanted to know. Because what they want us to forward provides no way for them to identify who the sender is. The information that they want us to send can only be used to just collate how often a particular spam message occurs in the population. It's useful for research purposes, I guess... but can also be used by spammers to determine how successful their campaigns have been.
I think it's in the telco's self-interest not to clamp down on these spammers. In fact, they make a nice profit from these spamming activities...
I'm not sure if Malaysia has already gazetted the bill, but in a lot of countries, there is now a no-call register which all call out marketing agencies need to check against to make sure anyone registered there is taken out of their list, failing which would be an offence.
I don't really care much for SMS spam because I can just delete it. It's telemarketers that are more annoying. Those that bug me I put on the block list, new numbers that call me I try not to answer and check up this list first: Malaysia telemarketer phone numbers: List of numbers to block and avoid - Christopher Teh Boon Sung
Malaysia does not have such a bill yet. But Singapore's "Do Not Call" bill should start next year, I think.
Yeah, that's what "Do Not Call" lists are for. Do they really work - blocking numbers? I think if they hide their numbers, you can't really block them, right?
Just block all anonymous numbers... though such numbers seem to be extremely rare these days, the telemarketers are wisening up.
I don't think it will solve this problem entirely but Malaysia should really develop such a list as well.
Well, I can't do that. Sometimes, banks or service providers call me using anonymous numbers. Actually, quite a few genuine businesses hide their mobile numbers to prevent clients from calling them back on their mobile phones. They want you to call them on their main line but have the flexibility to call you back on their mobile phones.
I remember a long time ago when I was still freelancing, one PC magazine editor was wondering why no one was picking up his calls.... I thought businesses would have wisened up to that by now.
Well, there's always a demand for hidden numbers. That's why telcos offer such services. Anyone can hide their number, if you pay a price, hehehe...