Cell phones have become a lifeline. Not only can one make calls, but they can also surf the Internet, check game scores, vote for reality shows, etc. The new craze with cell phones at the moment is text messaging, and it has gotten a little out of control.
Text messaging is a wonderful feature on most cell-phones. It gives you the chance to send messages to large groups, make small talk, and avoid those awkward moments of silence one can encounter on the phone.
Those should be enough features, but now businesses see it as a way to make money. If you fall for it, they will be making ridiculous wealth for inferior products.
Whatever could I be referring to? Click on your television and wait for a commercial. Soon enough you will see an ad for receiving jokes daily by sending a code through text messaging. They also have that great slogan, “Text the word JOKE to 43642 and receive the FUNNIEST jokes around.”
Whether or not they are the “funniest” is not my issue.
The fine print holds my argument. As the commercial rolls forward, a small print appears at the bottom of the screen stating that the jokes cost $2.99 a day. With few math skills, it is easy to see that the cost would be approximately $90 a month. That is insane!
Really, if you need jokes, go online and there are a plethora of opportunities of receiving them. They are free, too.
Jokes aren’t the only product producers are texting at outrageous prices. There are also zodiac symbols. I really don’t understand the motive behind that one but it is out there. I am a proud Gemini but I have no need to plaster the symbol on everything including my cell phone.
It is obvious that these ideas are not well thought out, and their commercials are not enticing in the least. Unfortunately, I am sure younger crowds with cell phones think it would be “cool.” They probably don’t recognize the cost and parents are left with huge bills at the end of the month.
Maybe then parents will realize children do not need cell phones. That is an entirely different issue.
Scams are abundant and happen all the time. Hopefully, spreading the word of some of these text scams will keep people from using them, ultimately leading to their demise. Beware: rip-offs are waiting for the unaware.

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