vB Easy Archive - Blocking SMS Messages

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Blocking SMS Messages
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Posted by: MMB916

Hi All,

I keep getting these annoying joke SMS messages. I have tried responding "STOP TONE", which is what they tell you to do if you want to stop receiving the messages - but no luck!!

At the suggestion of another user, I went on Google and searched for 69999 and found the website flycell which seems to be where these are originating. I sent their customer service a couple of emails requesting these unwanted messages stop. But no luck. I received another one today.

Any ideas if I can block a particular SMS number and/or what to do? The tone is coming from "69999" - laughaholics. I believe this started from a site I went to for ringtones.

Thanks so very much in advance.

Posted by: Vatothe0

Not likely for there to be a way to block the messages. Usually you have to reply with "Stop" by itself to get the messages to stop, but that's w/ Verizon. Last time I saw some Flycell charges those jokes are 1.99 each.

Good luck getting rid of it.

Posted by: MMB916

I was afraid of that. I plan to call Cingular today - maybe they can at least do something about the charges.

I have sent STOP messages back, and I'm sent a message in return saying I successfully opted out - but then wouldn't you know it, next day there is a joke!!

Thanks so very much for your help.

Best regards,
Mara

Posted by: Vatothe0

Wow. If it confirms you have opted out but still sends/charges you messages, it seems you would have grounds for small claims court. Generally there's nothing your carrier can really do to help you but try finding a physical address for the company and send them notice to comply.

Posted by: MMB916

Good point. I hadn't thought of that.Tomorrow is desk work and I plan on calling Cingular to argue any possible charges from these messages. It's just absurd.

Thank you for all of your help. I'll update the thread after I have spoke to Cingular just for your information.

Posted by: Institute

problems like this are the reason I don't use those text companies for anything.

Posted by: MMB916

This was not intentional. I was downloading some ring tones to my phone, I didn't sign up for any service - the best I can guess is that I missed a check mark or some wording regarding jokes of the day - I have no interest in this service and in addition, wouldn't pay for it.

I completely agree with you.

The update so far is no more txt messages and it's been over 24 hours. But I'm still waiting and not convinced they're over.

I will keep all posted.

Thank you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Institute

problems like this are the reason I don't use those text companies for anything.

Posted by: MMB916

Hi All,
I spoke with Cingular today after I received another annoying SMS message. I was being charged for TWO SMS subscriptions that I didn't subscribe to. The charges were $9.99 plus tax. They gave me a credit for both subscriptions and cancelled them. However, in order to block their SMS address, she would have to block ALL of my SMS messages - which of course wouldn't be good. ...so...she thought that this might stop them. If not, she gave me an address to write to. And it is possible that cancelling the subscriptions through Cingular, might stop the messages - what a pain this is!! I will keep you posted. Thanks.

Posted by: rollix

when you call cingular ull have to have them erase the subscription from a certain profile they have of you.. at that point u should be alright.. and there is no way to absolutely turn off txt messaging.. all ur data plans are based on its ability.. u cut off txt ability from ur plan and u cut off all data services

Posted by: MMB916

I will call Cingular back and specifically tell them that.

And thank you for the explanation regarding txt/data plan. I didn't understand the connection before - eeks!!

Thanks so very much.

Posted by: MMB916

Well, I told Cingular to do this and they assured me they did. They also unsubscribed me from the service and refunded my money. However, I'm still getting a message a day from laughaholics - is there something else I can tell Cingular? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rollix

when you call cingular ull have to have them erase the subscription from a certain profile they have of you.. at that point u should be alright.. and there is no way to absolutely turn off txt messaging.. all ur data plans are based on its ability.. u cut off txt ability from ur plan and u cut off all data services

Posted by: Vatothe0

From my experience in working for Verizon, the carrier has no way to stop or block premium text subscriptions. It was nice of them to credit the charges you already incurred but it doesn't surprise me that you're still getting the messages. On Verizon you have yo reply "stop" to one of the messages to cancel the subscription.

Posted by: MMB916

Thanks for the perspective. I have replied "STOP" and then several second words w/STOP as I was guided to do from the SMS message itself and from the website flycell. But still no luck.

Sounds like Cingular will be the same as Verizon!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vatothe0

From my experience in working for Verizon, the carrier has no way to stop or block premium text subscriptions. It was nice of them to credit the charges you already incurred but it doesn't surprise me that you're still getting the messages. On Verizon you have yo reply "stop" to one of the messages to cancel the subscription.

Posted by: QNice

Hello,

Was very interested in this thread so I went to Flycell's website and found the exact message you have to text back to get them to stop. I would assume it is word/letter senesitive and maybe that is why they have not stopped you yet? Either way, this is bad business on their end as I can guarantee due to your thread many people may not try their service. Either way.. please look below and hope this helps!

Joke of the Dayʨ$6.99)
To unsubscribe text "STOP GRIN" to 69999

Posted by: MMB916

Thank you so very much.

I have tried STOP (then many different words in ALL CAPS) but I don't think I have tried this one. Upon arrival of the messages today, I will try "STOP GRIN".

I will update the thread and let everyone know if this works. I was thankful that Cingular refunded the two charges on my bill but I have a feeling if this doesn't stop, I will have to keep calling them because the charges will reappear.

Unless you REALLY want various txt messages sent to you every day, for what looks like a very long time, I highly suggest STAYING AWAY from FLYCELL.

Thanks again and I wil keep you posted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by QNice

Hello,

Was very interested in this thread so I went to Flycell's website and found the exact message you have to text back to get them to stop. I would assume it is word/letter senesitive and maybe that is why they have not stopped you yet? Either way, this is bad business on their end as I can guarantee due to your thread many people may not try their service. Either way.. please look below and hope this helps!

Joke of the Dayʨ$6.99)
To unsubscribe text "STOP GRIN" to 69999

Posted by: naviwilliams

I've always been scared to subscribe to or even go to the website of any of these sort of 'text message services'. Such a pain to get rid of them...

I'll send you text messages daily, for free, if you like; let me know...

Posted by: MMB916

It was actually by accident that this ridiculous fiasco with FLYCELL began. I was new to the BB 8700c and was trying to figure out ringontes - someone on the BB Forum recommended this great site for ring tones - I clicked and ended up with FLYCELL!! After that, I had no ring tones and these absurd txt messages that they were charging me for - I'm lucky to have gotten refunds for any charges but thoroughly annoyed that I can't get rid of them.

I tried "STOP GRIN" and still NO LUCK.

STAY AWAY from FLYCELL.

The BEST ring tone site is www.tuneusin.com - no SPAM and just the easiest way to get ring tones that you want on your BB, smartphone, etc.. in MP3 format!!

Posted by: naviwilliams

I've not re-read the entire thread, but have you clicked on the contact support link on the website? Seems you have to fill out some details, and they should cancel it for you...

Also, I'd email:
support@flycell.com
info@flycell.com
helpdesk@flycell.com
contact@flycell.com
...these are the common email address that domain users create (since there is NO 'real' info on the site!) I hate web sites like FlyCell!!!

Posted by: MMB916

I know what you mean - SITES LIKE FLYCELL ARE JUST AWFUL!!!

Actually, I did send an email and did click on the contact them. I of course received no response. I did EXACTLY what they suggested with regards to stopping their txt messages - typed it in exactly, tried ALL of the suggestions on their web site - NO LUCK!!!

I will certainly try again though - it can'r hurt - thank you so very much!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by navilyn

I've not re-read the entire thread, but have you clicked on the contact support link on the website? Seems you have to fill out some details, and they should cancel it for you...

Also, I'd email:
support@flycell.com
info@flycell.com
helpdesk@flycell.com
contact@flycell.com
...these are the common email address that domain users create (since there is NO 'real' info on the site!) I hate web sites like FlyCell!!!

Posted by: naviwilliams

MMB916, we've missed you. What's the update on this? Please tell me it's sorted now...

Posted by: MMB916

You're just great, Nav - thanks so very much!!

On the BBForum someone gave me an 800 number to call. So I plan to try to call during business hours - hopefully before Labor Day, if not, next week!! I will update the thread as soon as I do.
ARGH - still happening every day!! Email and the STOP SMS message I send them of all varieties - DON"T WORK---

STAY AWAY FROM FLYCELL LIKE THE PLAGUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by navilyn

MMB916, we've missed you. What's the update on this? Please tell me it's sorted now...

Posted by: Kyster17

I can also be one to say that these 'joke of the day" messages get really annoying. they have been sent to my phone for the past month or so and i've tried alot to get rid of them. i went to the flycell website and read something about opting out of the joke. it said text "STOP JOKE" to 69999. i went to create new txt message on my phone, typed in 69999 as the address and typed in STOP JOKE (all caps) as the body of the message. about 2 minutes later i received a message reading that i had successfully opted out of the "joke of the day". i hope it worked because they are running up my phone bill.

Oh and i have verizon and i had my mom call and they said they would block the messages from coming and they stopped for about 2 days but then started up again.

Posted by: OJ330i

My mom ran into the same problem on her nextel phone. She signed up or someone signed her up for the same joke a day garbage. She wasn't ever able to get rid of them by texting back whatever instructions were given in the texts. She has to call up nextel every month and have them credit the BS charges. I don't know if its still happening or not but it was for a long time.

Posted by: MMB916

Thank u so very much! These annoying messages stopped mysteriously and just started up again mysteriously. So infuriating!!
Thoughts and prayers with you in IRAQ! Stay safe!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by OJ330i

My mom ran into the same problem on her nextel phone. She signed up or someone signed her up for the same joke a day garbage. She wasn't ever able to get rid of them by texting back whatever instructions were given in the texts. She has to call up nextel every month and have them credit the BS charges. I don't know if its still happening or not but it was for a long time.

Posted by: EricSanDgo

Quote:

Originally Posted by rollix

Well, is that true? I don't have a data plan for my Pearl, yet I text all day/every day. I can't do MMS, because IT is tied to the data plan, but not SMS.

Posted by: EricSanDgo

Quote:

Originally Posted by QNice

If you reply, you may be sending the history of the text to them too, thereby making the stop request invalid. Create a NEW text message, type STOP GRIN in, in caps, and send to 69999.

Posted by: bmits

SMS msgs,

I did as you suggested by sending the STOP GRIN as new msg
to 69999 and it worked. I got a reply back from them, saying
that they are sorry to seem unsubscribe.

I hope I never hear from them again!

THANK YOU!

Posted by: fremontlatino

Ok people here a start on how to stop the 69999 sms's calls that you have been getting. I call today flycell and ask them to stop the joke of the day and this was done on 2-26-08 at 8:45am pst and of cause I got a sms saying that it will stop but we will see. The number is 800-580-0017 after the voice massege press 2 wait for a person to pick up than make your request. Good luck .
fremontlatino

Posted by: briareus

Quote:

Originally Posted by rollix

and there is no way to absolutely turn off txt messaging.. all ur data plans are based on its ability.. u cut off txt ability from ur plan and u cut off all data services

Nope. You can definitely have SMS disabled entirely. SMS is not data. Look around and you'll see plenty of non-data GSM phones that can SMS. Additionally BB and other data plans do not include SMS. They're entirely separate things.

Posted by: jplante4

I sent STOP JOKE to 69999 and got the "opt out" message right away. Thanx to the people here for helping with this.