Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Technology Lesson: How to Block Text Messages

If you have a cell phone and hate text messaging--or just don't want to do it--you might want to block text messages. Blocking text messages may save you money (plans vary in price by carrier; it's possible a plan might include text messaging and cost less). If you don't have text messaging as part of you plan, blocking texts will certainly save you money.

Here's how to block unwanted text messages from friends, family, and spammers.

Call your service provider. You should be able to do this from your own cell phone. Call using the toll free number, and politely ask to speak to a customer service representative.

Kindly and patiently tell the customer service representative that you would like to BLOCK all text messaging services. If you plan to do this, and you have texts messages as part of your plan, politely ask for a better rate in exchange for removing the text message service. (It can't hurt to ask to spend less money!) The representative might point out that the service provider will contact you via text message. Tell the representative you understand, but would prefer to communicate in other ways.

Receive confirmation that your request was a success. Thank the representative and hang up. Sigh with relief and satisfaction.

You can probably do this online, too. I can't tell you how to do that step by step, because I don't know who your provider is. I logged into the account online to lift the restrictions on my phone, so surely it will work the same way to block text messages, too!

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