‘I Agree’ to you spamming me

Text message spam is particularly annoying to people who have phone plans like mine, where you have to pay for incoming messages. When spam comes through my email, at least I can delete it and don’t have to shoulder any additional burden; when it comes in the form of a text message to my cell phone, I have to pay for the inconvenience.

A report carried on the Computer Crime Research Center referred to an article, originally printed in “The Sovereign Society”, which brings to light some startling new policies for those who use American Express cards. Effective April 2, American Express can phone-spam, or text-message-spam you at any number to which you have even a remote connection. AMEX sent a new notice of terms, which users must agree to or cancel their account. In other words, if you want to keep your plastic, you have to agree to the terms.

The terms say, “You authorize us to call or send a text message to you at any number you give us or from which you call us, including mobile phones. You authorize us to make such calls using automatic telephone dialing systems for any lawful purpose, including but not limited to: suspected fraud or identity theft; Account transactions or servicing; offers of American Express products and services; and collecting on your Account. You authorize us to place prerecorded calls in connection with the status of your account, or security and identity theft matters. You agree to pay any fees or charges you incur for incoming calls or text messages from us without reimbursement.”

AMEX can call or text your cell phone with sales pitches, and what’s worse, they can call or text any number you have ever called them from. If you ever have the need to call AMEX for any reason, such as to make a payment or check on your account, and you make that call from a friend’s house or a relative’s house, or from your place of employment, then that number is fair game as well, according to the new terms.

This is the worst sort of so-called “opt-in” program. Most card-holders will not even read the fine print, and will be completely unaware of it; those that do, are forced to comply or give up their card. Email spam works the same way; when you register to gain access to a particular web site, somewhere hidden in the long page of fine print that you click “I Agree” under, is a similar clause that lets you be deluged with spam. Who reads those things? I never have, but now I’m going to start.