Stop Cell Phone Spam
I was trying to make friends with my cell phone on a recent road trip, when I discovered that there were some "text messages" waiting for me. Text messages?! Who could be writing to me at my cell phone? I can't figure out how to use the blasted thing to make a call, and now people think I'll be able to write to them?!
Turns out they were just spam 'bots, trying to sell me you-know-what that starts with a V. Depending on the cell phone plan you have, these lovely messages may be coming in on your dime – or more. Some plans charge as much as 15 cents each. So if you received similar messages, you might want to call your carrier and ask a couple of questions:
- Am I being billed for spam coming to my cell phone? Fortunately, my plan doesn't charge for text messages, but if it did, I'd ask …
- Will you please waive the fees for these junk calls?
Whether you have to pay for them or not, who wants the bother? So put your cell phone on the National Do Not Call Registry. If your other phone numbers aren't listed there, you can sign them up for no telemarketing calls, also.
More Ways to Save on Cells
If you – or your teen or tween -- is likely to be tempted by text messaging and/or some of the newer downloads, such as games, ringtones, ringbacks, subscriptions, and music, I urge you to read "Cell Phone Fees That Sneak Up on You," an eye-opening article in PC World’s July 2006 issue. I had no clue that it could cost someone $6 to send a photo by phone, or that people were signing up at $2 a month so they can buy movie tickets with their cell phones. Why pay the $24 when you can order them for free with your PC?
Here's your best defense as a smart cell phone shopper, according to PC World’s senior editor, Yardena Arar: "Ask carrier sales reps for pricing details that will help you determine the true costs of any services that interest you, and ask if there's any way to track your bandwidth and message usage between monthly bills."
She also suggests ways to avoid fees. For example, "instead of downloading songs from a carrier's music service, get a phone equipped with a memory card slot so you can play tunes you've ripped on your PC." Even if you're not likely to rip a tune any time soon, you can still save money on your wireless bill.
The secret is to pick a plan that fits your calling pattern. Look at a few previous bills, and find out:
- When do you make most of your calls?
- What's the average length of each call?
- Do you use your cell to make long distance calls?
- How often do you travel beyond your home calling area?
Then visit Point.com, where you can compare your plan to the newest plans out there. You might save money or get extra freebies like free long distance if you switch carriers. But if you're happy with your carrier, call and ask for a better deal – assuming there's no extra fee for it. All the sales reps know competition is fierce, and while new business is great, so is keeping an existing customer. So don't be bashful! You might just get some of the newer freebies included, like free text messaging!
If you give it a shot, please let us know how you make out!
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