iPhone 4s Scrambling Text Messages with Symbols

[MHatter]

My daughter texted me earlier and it came through normal.  A few minutes later she sent another text and from that point on, those texts came through (mostly) jibberish.  It was scrambled with symbols, and only occasionally did some of her message appear through all the symbols.

I have the iPhone 4s, and it has the most recent updates as of this posting (6/14/12).  My daughter has a Samsung Intensity II. 

Incidentally, when I emailed a text message to my husband (who also has an iPhone 4s), he said my message came through scrambled as well.

Has anyone heard if there's an issue going on?  Google searches have pulled up nothing for resolutions; however, it appears there is a lot of frustration from other users experiencing what I am.

It might be worth adding that there appears to be a lot of 'finger pointing' - Verizon Wireless says its Apple, and vice versa.  Admittedly, I find it interesting that this only seems to be happening on iPhone 4s phones (in our case).

Suggestions/support from anyone?

Edited to add:  My iPhone is new and just recently was updated with *228, Opt 2 (and obviously activated with Opt 1).  I will have my daughter (and husband) do the same to her phone this evening to see if that resolves the issue, but I have difficulty believing that this will be the magical solution - fingers crossed!

Message was edited

[soupcannon]

Probably sent with some type of emoticons where if you do not have the app for them it shows the symbols used for them

[MHatter]

That was exactly the issue! What app can I download that will remedy this issue going forward?

Sent from my iPhone

[soupcannon]

Emojee for free

[MHatter]

Cute app but it regrettably it didn't resolve the issue but now she knows not to send faces... For now anyways.

Sent from my iPhone

[soupcannon]

The android isn't really set up for ios emoticons , so a lot if the apps for the droid don't jive with apple. If she gets the messaging app go SMS pro there is a emoticon add on that is comparable with apple.