Author Topic: Republic Wireless - Increase in phone spam?  (Read 10290 times)

Scuba Stache

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Republic Wireless - Increase in phone spam?
« on: August 05, 2014, 01:45:39 PM »
I switched to Republic wireless a few months ago and am a big fan of the price point and quality of the phone/reception..... BUT ever since I switched I have had a huge increase in SPAM text messages and telemarketing calls. The wife has been having the same issue since she switched.

Have you encountered this with Republic Wireless?

edit: Wanted to add that I imported my existing number over to Republic.
« Last Edit: August 05, 2014, 02:35:32 PM by Scuba Stache »

frugalnacho

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Re: Republic Wireless - Increase in phone spam?
« Reply #1 on: August 05, 2014, 01:59:04 PM »
Nope.  I have noticed a decrease since now I can use an app to block spam numbers.

bearkat

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Re: Republic Wireless - Increase in phone spam?
« Reply #2 on: August 05, 2014, 02:13:13 PM »
I've actually noticed the same thing, even though I didn't change my number (I brought it over with me from AT&T).  It could, of course, just be a coincidence, but that's interesting to hear someone else have that same issue.

neo von retorch

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Re: Republic Wireless - Increase in phone spam?
« Reply #3 on: August 05, 2014, 02:53:35 PM »
Not exactly "spam" though over the last 3 days I've had FOUR people text me that had no idea who I was. Completely wrong number. Very strange for that to just be a coincidence. (The first two "confused" texts were only two minutes apart, too!)

(Of course, it could just be that some girl out there got my number or picked it at random and has been using it as her fake phone number when guys ask her out. But one of the people that texted me thought I was their cousin so... yikes! Ha!)

AUTOJOHNJOHN

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Re: Republic Wireless - Increase in phone spam?
« Reply #4 on: August 05, 2014, 02:57:14 PM »
I experienced the same thing until I entered my ported number and the underlying Sprint number into the Do Not Call registry. That was a huge help. Now I only get calls from my alma maters.
The Republic community forums will have some more tips.  Definitely check those out!

Ohio Teacher

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Re: Republic Wireless - Increase in phone spam?
« Reply #5 on: August 05, 2014, 04:41:09 PM »
When we switched to Republic, the phones each came with new temporary numbers.  I then ported our old numbers.  Here's where it gets weird.  Even though our phones are now attached to our ported numbers, you can still reach us by calling the new numbers that Republic assigned.  As a result, we get more phone calls for other people than we do ourselves.  Of course, most of these people didn't pay their bills very well, and bill collectors don't exactly believe you when you say it's a wrong number.

I had no idea until this that you could reach a single handheld phone with two different numbers.  Has anyone else experienced that?

As for spam, no text messages and only the calls described above.

Jessa

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Re: Republic Wireless - Increase in phone spam?
« Reply #6 on: August 30, 2014, 12:04:26 PM »
THANK YOU!!! I thought I've been going crazy... I have gotten a dozen texts from strange numbers in the last few weeks, but if I text back saying "wrong number" I end up in arguments with people who insist they didn't text me. I guess someone else got assigned my original number...weird that I get their texts!

ADV_CJ

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Re: Republic Wireless - Increase in phone spam?
« Reply #7 on: August 30, 2014, 12:28:17 PM »
I've been getting a constant spam text regarding the Stealer's games updates ... it states its from ATT.  I have no way to block this number either on the Moto G.  Any ideas how to stop this?

space

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Re: Republic Wireless - Increase in phone spam?
« Reply #8 on: August 30, 2014, 01:21:04 PM »
Any Republic Wireless phone actually has two numbers - the one they assign you, and the one Sprint assigns you over cellular. The Sprint number is supposed to be hidden from you, but is assigned to you from a general pool, so you could get people asking for its old owner. You might be able to call RW to get that number changed, but you may have to reprogram the phone using ##72786# afterwards to get the phone to pull down the new settings and not break your calls over cellular.

latinlover77

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Re: Republic Wireless - Increase in phone spam?
« Reply #9 on: August 30, 2014, 01:24:17 PM »
Im in the same boat here.

I will occasionally get random texts.

But even more annoying, particularly at work, is when I get calls from machines. This has gotten to the point where it is a daily occurrence. I don't know if Republic is to blame or myself, as I might have inadvertently distributed my number to unintended parties.

Any ideas on who would be the more probable culprit?

Jacana

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Re: Republic Wireless - Increase in phone spam?
« Reply #10 on: August 30, 2014, 02:04:09 PM »
When I first got the RW phone, before I ported my old number, I got repeated calls and texts in Spanish looking for some guy who must have had the number before me. Everyday stuff like are you going to work today. Not really spam but pretty annoying. It continued even after I ported my number. It has really died down now 6 months later (as all his friends slowly learn his new number) except for an occasional call from a machine in Spanish offering me cheap calling cards or free trips to Disney. So in my case at least, it is not spam in the sense that my number was sold off, just residuals from the previous person's activity like when you move into a new home and get the previous owner's junk mail. Maybe you can find out that hidden number and add it to the do not call list too?

isbjshaffer

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Re: Republic Wireless - Increase in phone spam?
« Reply #11 on: August 31, 2014, 08:02:25 AM »
I sure hope we don't. We just ordered our phones on Friday!

Zoe

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Re: Republic Wireless - Increase in phone spam?
« Reply #12 on: August 31, 2014, 09:06:59 AM »
Yep. It's the underlying Spring number. You can find it on your phone. I installed the Mr. Number app. Works well.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!