• An estimated 20 million mobile users in the UK have been targeted with unwanted spam text messaging (known as "smishing", a combination of SMS and 'phishing'), with many receiving multiple texts. 

 

• But spam text is much more than just an annoyance. An estimated 1.4 million responses from users are being sold on by Claims Management Companies (CMCs) for millions of pounds to unscrupulous law firms. 

 

• An estimated 33% of unwanted texts are about accident compensation, 32% about PPI claims, 22% about an instant loan and 5% about debt management.

 

• To cap it all, people are then thoroughly confused about who to complain to about text spamming with 46% having no idea who to report it to – only 30,000 complaints about SMS spam were made to the regulator ICO in the last six months.

 

 

These are just some of the shocking statistics set out and explained in a new infographic looking at the murky world of spam texting from Spencers Solicitors, a leading firm of personal injury solicitors based in Derbyshire.

 

John Spencer, Director of Spencers Solicitors, said:

"It’s great to see the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) recently issuing six-figure fines to spammers, but there is a long way to go to end the scandal of unwanted, and potentially fraudulent, text messaging. It goes beyond just being annoying when millions are being made out of this illegal practice and the legal system is being plagued with frivolous claims."

 

"The forgotten victims are those who genuinely have a case for compensation but are automatically marshalled into a fraudulent category, along with those who are pursuing frivolous claims which have been drummed up by spam marketing."

 

"People with genuine problems requiring a solicitor should completely ignore spam texting and seek out a reputable solicitor who can help them pursue their case for real justice".

 

John Spencer has long campaigned against the unscrupulous industry that has grown up around text messaging and other potentially fraudulent activity (see his SMS blog from 2011).