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Block SMS app ?

JM33

Well-Known Member
Oct 26, 2009
162
25
Maui, HI
So... recently some jackholes have started spamming me texts with horoscope/dating/whatever ads. They send like 4 at a time about twice a day and I'm sick of it.

I saw a few market apps that claim to block sms/calls. Reviews on all were mixed good & bad. Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with any or had a suggestion for an app to stop this madness.

Also curious if anyone knows how they actually block. Basically I want to know if I just don't get a notification, or it just doesn't show in messaging app/handcent, or if it really gets blocked - as in not actually sent to me and does not charge me for a text.

If all they do is stop the notification I can just use settings profiles for that. But I'd really like to not have them be charged to me. I am on a 250/month plan and might risk going over at the rate they're being sent.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
 
With Handcent, you can put those contacts under the Blacklist. This does not block the texts from coming through. It only stops the messages from showing up.

From http://www.intomobile.com/2008/05/27/verizon-reminds-its-users-theyre-in-control-when-it-comes-to-sms.html , not sure if this is added premium feature or not, but it is worth a try.

Verizon users are on the rage when it comes to text messaging. During the first quarter of 2008, the CDMA carrier reportedly delivered nearly 58 billion text messages from coast to coast.
Hence, Verizon wants to remind its users they can put SMS to control with “numerous consumer-friendly options to block some or all text messages.”

These options include:
  • Blocking: Users can log into www.vtext.com or text.vzw.com using their mobile number and password, and set filters to block unwanted text messages. Available options include blocking messages from the Web/Internet (where most spam is generated), blocking all messages from e-mail, messages from up to 15 specific domain names or e-mail addresses, and/or allowing only texts sent to a nickname@vtext.com.
  • Premium SMS Blocking: By logging into “My Verizon” on Verizon’s website (under “Features” -> “Add/Delete”), users can block only text messages for short code campaigns that involve premium charges.
  • V-BLOCK: Users can prevent a specific mobile phone number from sending or receiving text messages, allowing only voicemail alerts to be received.
Finally, if all this sounds too complicated, you can call Verizon’s customer service and they’ll do all the blocking for ya’.


EDIT: The info on the article is a little dated, due to changes in Verizon's website. Log into My Verizon. Click on My Services. On the right, under Account Actions, Set Spam Controls. Add the numbers to Call & Message Blocking.
 
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Also curious if anyone knows how they actually block. Basically I want to know if I just don't get a notification, or it just doesn't show in messaging app/handcent, or if it really gets blocked - as in not actually sent to me and does not charge me for a text.
There's no way an app can prevent delivery to your device. The app can't do anything until the message is received. There's quite a bit that can be done with apps but they aren't magic. ;)

Preventing delivery would require blocking at a point upstream before your device receives the message.
 
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You can block numbers through Verizon. Just call the 800 number and tell them what is going on. They will block those numbers on the back end for you.

Kratos

actually, you can do this manually via your online VZW account. you can log in and set up to block calls or SMS. I have this setup for some pesky business solicitors.

THIS is the way to do it, I have read the SMS blocking apps work halfassed at best, hit or miss
 
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I stand corrected. I didn't realize that they had that functionality on their website.

Kratos

yep, only issue is that with call blocking, it only lasts like 6 months or something and you have to renter them they say. but mine have never gone away despite them saying that. so, every now and then I check in and make sure the block lists are still in place. the SMS block list does not expire IIRC.
 
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