T-Mobile will crack down on scam texts by issuing $2,000 fines for each violation

TL;DR

• Starting in 2024, T-Mobile will levy fines against companies that send spam and scam texts.
• The fines will be as high as $2,000 for each violation, depending on the category of the text(s).
• Hopefully, this will mean fewer spam texts for T-Mobile subscribers.

Starting on January 1, 2024, the Uncarrier will levy fines against third-party organizations that use the T-Mobile network to send scam, spam, and illegal texts. As announced by Vonage — a marketing company that offers brands a way to communicate with potential customers using text messages — and first spotted by Cord Cutters News, T-Mobile will levy $500, $1,000, or $2,000 fines against companies that do this. The amount of the fine will depend on the text’s category, which breaks down like this:

• Tier 1: $2,000
  • For phishing, smishing, social engineering
• Tier 2: $1,000
  • For illegal content
• Tier 3: $500
  • For all other violations

We assume these new fines will help prevent at least some spam and scam texts from making their way to your phone. Obviously, this won’t deter individual scammers, nor will it stop you from getting inundated with messages when you accidentally agree to receive marketing texts from a company. But scammers/spammers using companies like Vonage will now have cash on the line if they maliciously use T-Mobile’s network, which could deter them from bothering.