We’ve all been through this ordeal, we’re waiting for a very important text, but when the phone beeps, you’re greeted with a very annoying message.  It can be anything from someone telling you won a prize from a famous brand, or a message that contains a web link about a racy photo or a new promo.

It gets really annoying.  So do we just ignore these spam texts and hope that they would eventually stop coming, or is there a way to eliminate these annoying texts?

There’s an app for that!

PrivacyStar, makers of smartphone apps that gives control to mobile phone users, announced the availability of a free SMS spam complaint filing feature for Android smartphones.  The app is available for download on Google Play and it’s new functional interface allows users to directly send spam complaints to the Federal Trade Commission using their mobile phones.

“Analysts estimate that the amount of spam text messages in the U.S. rose by 45 percent from 2011 to a total of 4.5 billion text messages in 2012,” said Jeff Stalnaker, CEO of PrivacyStar. “Spam text messages aren’t going away any time soon and neither are calls from debt collectors and telemarketers. PrivacyStar is thrilled to offer an application with simple, one-touch call and text message complaint filing so mobile users can easily report those who are breaking the rules to the FTC.”

The app is available for free and users can enjoy FTC complaint filing for SMS spam, Do Not Call Registry and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act violations.  But if you want the full package that includes 14 robust features such as unlimited call and text blocking capabilities and call and text number lookup features, you need to subscribe to the service which costs $2.99 per month for Android and BlackBerry phones, but iPhone users just need to pay a one-time fee of $2.99.

Why me?!?

If you’re asking why you’re being plagued by spam texts, it might actually be your fault.  According to Scambook, there are three ways scammers get a hold of your number:

1. They use a special software that scour sites like Facebook to lift mobile numbers.

2. They use random number generators to send spam text.

3. They use malware to hack into your computer and get the information they need.

Obliterate spam texts

You don’t need to put up with spam texts, there are ways to live in peace.

First off, don’t put your mobile phone number on sites like Facebook so it can’t be used by spammers and scammers.

Second, if you receive a suspicious text, do not reply.  Immediately delete the text.  Replying would just alert spammers that the number is in use so they would just keep sending more spam.

Third, network carriers have a way to help people block unwanted calls and texts, so use them.  AT&T lets you block calls and texts for $5 a month.  Just go online, add the numbers you want to be blocked, and AT&T will do the rest.  Sprint allows users to block or allow numbers straight from their mobile phones using various codes.  Click here for the full list of commands.  And Verizon offers Block that Spam for free.  Verizon users can enter phone numbers, e-mails and even websites they want blocked but it only lasts for 90 days.  After which, you need to enter the details again.

And last, you can use apps like PrivacyStar’s app to block unwanted call or texts.  Here are some more app suggestions: Mr.Number, Call Control, and WhosCall.