Taking Action for You: Spam texting and how to avoid it

TAMPA - Registering your phone with the Do Not Call list may help but there is nothing stopping telemarketers from shooting spam texts to your phone.

Spam texts often annoy and aggravate those on the receiving end.

So what can you do? For added protection consumers can register their cell numbers with the Federal Trade Commission's 'do not call' list, but that's not all.

Major carriers have tools to protect against spam.  AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon each offer various text blocking and filter options.

The information can be found on the carriers' websites.  AT&T, along with T-Mobile make it easy.  Their subscribers can simply forward the unwanted messages  to 7726, the numerical word for SPAM.

Now if you want to report any unwanted spam texts or register your phone with the Do Not Call list, contact the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov .

And if you are among the thousands that received a tablet or smart phone for Christmas, Verizon is offering free workshops to teach you how to get the most out of your gift.

•    Motorola Xoom
Dec. 30, 2011, 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
15324 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, Fla. 33618
•    IPad 2
Dec. 31, 2011, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
8204 Citrus Park Drive, Suite A, Tampa, Fla. 33625
•    Samsung Galaxy Tablet
Dec. 31, 2011, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
8204 Citrus Park Drive, Suite A, Tampa, Fla. 33625
•    Android Advanced
Jan. 1, 2012, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
8204 Citrus Park Drive, Suite A, Tampa, Fla. 33625

EDITOR'S NOTE: We previously reported that it is illegal for telemarketers to text your cell phone whether or not you have registered your cell phone with the do not call list. That line was incorrect and has since been corrected.