Warning: Text message scams

What would you do if you received two text messages from numbers you don't recognize? Replying is a good idea sometimes, but other times, it could cost you.

Premium texts is now a billion dollar industry. Things like ringtones, joke of the day and horoscopes are available by entering a cell phone number. Later you get a charge on your monthly bill.

Some experts are suggesting consumers steer clear of most premium texting because of fraud.

Verizon claimed thousands of customers were duped into bogus charges by company called JAWA, which sells game applications for Facebook and mobile devices such as cell phones.

Court documents showed Verizon claimed JAWA engaged in a "complex scam," using pop-ups, background colors and small print to hide pricing, different names and addresses to confuse customers, even cloaking software to keep auditors from knowing.

In its response to the suit, JAWA claimed it took in $80 million and $24 million of that went to Verizon. That is something Verizon has not confirmed.

Despite the huge amounts of money involved, we found there's little, if any, oversight. The Federal Communications Commision said it only gets involved "where the phone company is the originator of the charges," not a third party like JAWA.

The Federal Trade Commission regulates third party businesses, but told us "we have not sued anyone under that scenario." Instead, the industry basically watches itself through a trade group, the Mobile Marketing Association, which sets up the rules.

So, how do you spot a legitimate text?

• Make sure you're offered two chances to say yes or no to the service.
• You have to agree for them to send you a message. Then you have to agree again for them to make the charge.
• A legitimate text lists service, cost, offer and comes from a five digit number called a "short code."
• Even if you don't recognize the number, you shouldn't ignore it's message. In this scenario, not responding means you will be charged.
• One from a regular phone number is less likely legit. It is vague and tells you to text stop if you don't want it. If you question it, just type in h-e-l-p. That will give you the information to find out who it is from.
• If you don't want premium texts, ask your cell phone provider to block them and read every line in your phone bill.