Okay, so for the better part of last year and this year – my SMS inbox has been receiving a LOT of spam messages. So much so that my inbox is composed of 80% of text messages with links and reminders to check out, buy or invite to purchase or register for something.
HOW DO THESE PREPAID NUMBERS HAVE MY NUMBER?
AND possibly have my sensitive information
At first, I suspected them to come from the contact tracing forms. But then, when a number that I NEVER use for contact tracing received messages, I realized that it was from a shopping app that was the culprit. I was told that shopping apps send the data of their orders (successful or not) to the respective vendors, these vendors came up with the idea to COLD CALL or COLD TEXT people to encourage them to proceed with their orders.
I’m sure many are unaware of cold calls and cold texts, so below are that they are:
To be honest, I have dismissed these messaged, I’ve blocked and then deleted them. BUT last weekend, I received a text message that bothered me soooo much because, well – it included my name with the correct spelling. Now, normally I would just ignore it – block and delete. But this time, I felt bothered by it. And then I saw two friends who posted that they too received similar messages – similar because it’s from different numbers but what essentially the same was that their names were included in CAPITAL LETTERS.
Now, isn’t this alarming? It is, right? It’s very worrying! I mean, we’ve all signed Data Privacy advisories with so much warning, but yet look at what is happening? Our sensitive informations are being used against us for the selfish benefits of others.
Personally, it’s frustrating and is ANGERING – but what are we to do? I would like to make a complaint, but to whom and where? This is why I am all for sim card registrations – just like that Singapore is doing. This is one way where the government can control AND protect it’s citizens from these pesky cold texts and random strangers calling to text or call to harass . This is also one way to forge RESPONSIBLE number and communication ownership. We all KNOW very well that prepaid numbers can be sold to just anyone who is willing to pay for it. These prepaid number are then used for so many shady activities, most also change their numbers when they are trying to escape people/entities.
I’m sure guys are experiencing this. How are you feeling about it?
I HOPE YOU ARE UPSET BY THESE MESSAGES.
I am so upset and I really want to do something about this.
I hope we can join forces to do something about it.
Let me know!
