When is SMS spam blocking going to be available for the iPhone?

If I go to "Verizon Safeguards" -> "Call and Message Blocking" I see "Not available for this cell phone number". I remember customer service telling me a few weeks ago this was not avaiable because I had an iPhone,

Is VZ ever going to get off their behinds and implement effective SMS spam blocking? All the spam SMS I get is from short codes, I'd just as soon block ALL short codes. I don't think "Block all text messages sent from the web" on the "internet spam blocking" tab is effective for short codes..

Accepted answers

keezy

wsanders wrote:
Thanks for the replies - in the past few days the ability to block 5 numbers has magically appeared on the Verizon Safeguards page. I tested it and it works.

This is fine if I am ever so unlucky as to be phone-stalked.

Unfortunately, as we all know, SMS spam comes from a variety of random numbers, and the web page says "You cannot block numbers that are within your account or non-10 digit numbers" so presumably it won't work with short codes.

WHAT I WANT: BLOCK ALL SHORT CODES option. Blocking certain area codes would be nice too.

And BTW Verizon support has NEVER offered to assist in blocking SMS spam. More than once, they told me to reply STOP to the spam, just like the spam told me to. Yeah right. Makes me suspicious that VZ is actually sponsoring the spammers.

Actually, replying stop works for most of those non-ten digit SMS numbers. From what I've heard, the call & messaging blocking on the Verizon site does not work for the iPhone 4.

All comments

keezy

wsanders wrote:
If I go to "Verizon Safeguards" -> "Call and Message Blocking" I see "Not available for this cell phone number". I remember customer service telling me a few weeks ago this was not avaiable because I had an iPhone,

Is VZ ever going to get off their behinds and implement effective SMS spam blocking? All the spam SMS I get is from short codes, I'd just as soon block ALL short codes. I don't think "Block all text messages sent from the web" on the "internet spam blocking" tab is effective for short codes..

Verizon or Apple hasn't announced any news about when or if call & message blocking will be available for the iPhone 4. No one's really sure if it's because of Apple or Verizon. I've heard, however, that even with AT&T you cannot block calls on any of the iPhones. So you might want to contact Apple for an answer on this one.

elaines

http://www.apple.com/feedback/

Send a message to Apple about this. I have sent my feedback to them. I agree that certain numbers should be able to be blocked.

kaebfly

Based on threads in the AT&T iPhone forums they can't block without using the method that Apple fights to block...an dI wouldn't suggest personally. So using the form to suggest it to Apple is the best method to hopefully get them to make a native way to do so without modifications to our phones that could lead to issues. So knowing that should make those on here that are frustrated...at least we know it's not some evil Verizon plot to hold our iPhones down (yes, some people do seem to feel like there is a conspiracy theory going on).

parkernathan

When I get SMS Spam, I just call Verizon and they block the number for it. Sure it's not as easy as doing it online, but at least it works!

TBhouston

parkernathan wrote:
When I get SMS Spam, I just call Verizon and they block the number for it. Sure it's not as easy as doing it online, but at least it works!

sadly isn't that easy with iphone..

wsanders

Thanks for the replies - in the past few days the ability to block 5 numbers has magically appeared on the Verizon Safeguards page. I tested it and it works.

This is fine if I am ever so unlucky as to be phone-stalked.

Unfortunately, as we all know, SMS spam comes from a variety of random numbers, and the web page says "You cannot block numbers that are within your account or non-10 digit numbers" so presumably it won't work with short codes.

WHAT I WANT: BLOCK ALL SHORT CODES option. Blocking certain area codes would be nice too.

And BTW Verizon support has NEVER offered to assist in blocking SMS spam. More than once, they told me to reply STOP to the spam, just like the spam told me to. Yeah right. Makes me suspicious that VZ is actually sponsoring the spammers.

keezy

wsanders wrote:
Thanks for the replies - in the past few days the ability to block 5 numbers has magically appeared on the Verizon Safeguards page. I tested it and it works.

This is fine if I am ever so unlucky as to be phone-stalked.

Unfortunately, as we all know, SMS spam comes from a variety of random numbers, and the web page says "You cannot block numbers that are within your account or non-10 digit numbers" so presumably it won't work with short codes.

WHAT I WANT: BLOCK ALL SHORT CODES option. Blocking certain area codes would be nice too.

And BTW Verizon support has NEVER offered to assist in blocking SMS spam. More than once, they told me to reply STOP to the spam, just like the spam told me to. Yeah right. Makes me suspicious that VZ is actually sponsoring the spammers.

Actually, replying stop works for most of those non-ten digit SMS numbers. From what I've heard, the call & messaging blocking on the Verizon site does not work for the iPhone 4.

kaebfly

vereyezuhn wrote:
wsanders wrote:
Thanks for the replies - in the past few days the ability to block 5 numbers has magically appeared on the Verizon Safeguards page. I tested it and it works.

This is fine if I am ever so unlucky as to be phone-stalked.

Unfortunately, as we all know, SMS spam comes from a variety of random numbers, and the web page says "You cannot block numbers that are within your account or non-10 digit numbers" so presumably it won't work with short codes.

WHAT I WANT: BLOCK ALL SHORT CODES option. Blocking certain area codes would be nice too.

And BTW Verizon support has NEVER offered to assist in blocking SMS spam. More than once, they told me to reply STOP to the spam, just like the spam told me to. Yeah right. Makes me suspicious that VZ is actually sponsoring the spammers.
Actually, replying stop works for most of those non-ten digit SMS numbers. From what I've heard, the call & messaging blocking on the Verizon site does not work for the iPhone 4.

The call and message blocking for up to 5 numbers is now available for te iPhone and began to work yesterday (4/3/2011). If you log into "My Account" and choose block numbers and messages (I believe) then you will see the page that now allows you to block up to 5 numbers. Previously, for iPhone users you got a message that said this feature was not available for the number...at any rate, I tested it and it does now work.

keezy

kaebfly wrote:

The call and message blocking for up to 5 numbers is now available for te iPhone and began to work yesterday (4/3/2011). If you log into "My Account" and choose block numbers and messages (I believe) then you will see the page that now allows you to block up to 5 numbers. Previously, for iPhone users you got a message that said this feature was not available for the number...at any rate, I tested it and it does now work.

Yes, I replied to this post before I saw the other one saying it was now working. That's great that it works for iPhone users now.

AntonioC_VZW

wsanders wrote:
If I go to "Verizon Safeguards" -> "Call and Message Blocking" I see "Not available for this cell phone number". I remember customer service telling me a few weeks ago this was not avaiable because I had an iPhone,

Is VZ ever going to get off their behinds and implement effective SMS spam blocking? All the spam SMS I get is from short codes, I'd just as soon block ALL short codes. I don't think "Block all text messages sent from the web" on the "internet spam blocking" tab is effective for short codes..

Call and Message Blocking is not available to customers with iPhone 4 due to device compatibility issues. We will notify all iPhone 4 customers If this feature become available for iPhone 4 in the future.

RoyB_VZW

I believe what you're speaking of is Premium SMS (Short Messaging Service) spam messages. Although you do have the iPhone, we can add this block for you. If you would prefer, you may call Customer Care to have this added, at 1-800/922-0204, or you can PM me with a number where you can be reached. After verifying some information, I would also be happy to have this restriction in place for you. Please note: This department closes in less than five minutes, which is why I recommended contacting us by phone.

Thanks,

parkernathan

I have an iPhone, and that's what I did when I got a spam message, and seemed to work for me.