Is TeleFlip Safe to Use?

[CellGeek]

Is teleflip a safe service to use in order to send text messages from a computer to a cell phone number? Has anyone here used teleflip? What are the disadvantages?

[Telekom]

Originally Posted by jimwayda

Is teleflip a safe service to use in order to send text messages from a computer to a cell phone number? Has anyone here used teleflip? What are the disadvantages?

I use it all the time. If you're asking if you'll be spammed the answer is not from teleflp you won't be.

[CellGeek]

Originally Posted by Telekom

I use it all the time. If you're asking if you'll be spammed the answer is not from teleflp you won't be.

But will teleflip sell the email addresses to spammers? That is the real question...

[Telekom]

Originally Posted by jimwayda

But will teleflip sell the email addresses to spammers? That is the real question...

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that they're not out to get you!

I answered your question.

If you're truly worried about using the service my advice is not to use it.

If you had bothered to look at the TOS among other things it states:

(b) Transmit any content constituting or resembling spam, junk mail, chain letters, bulk e-mail, pyramid schemes or other such solicitations.

It also states:

(xvii) Teleflip does not authorize the use of its network to accept, transmit or distribute unsolicited bulk e-mail sent from the Internet to Users. In addition, Internet e-mail sent or attempted to be sent through Teleflip’s network that contains invalid or forged headers, invalid or non-existent domain names or other means of deceptive addressing will be deemed to be counterfeit. Any attempt to send or cause such counterfeit e-mail to be sent via Teleflip’s network is unauthorized. Similarly, e-mail that is relayed from any third party's mail servers without the permission of that third party, or which employs similar techniques to hide or obscure the source of the e-mail, is also an unauthorized use of Teleflip’s network. Teleflip reserves the right without notice to take all measures of any nature (whether legal, mechanical or otherwise) to prevent unsolicited bulk e-mail and/or other unauthorized e-mail from entering, utilizing or remaining within Teleflip’s network. Nothing in this policy is intended to grant any right to transmit or send e-mail to, or through, Teleflip’s network except as may be otherwise stated in these TOS. Teleflip's failure to enforce this policy in any instance in which it might have application does not amount to a waiver of Teleflip's rights. Unauthorized use of the Teleflip’s network related to the transmission or attempted transmission of unsolicited bulk e-mail or counterfeit e-mail may result in civil and criminal penalties against the sender, including those provided by the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (18 U.S.C. 1030 et seq.). Civil and criminal penalties may also apply to e-mail transmitted to Teleflip’s network in violation of the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003.

It's up to you to determine if this is "safe" enough for you to use the service.

Then again, if you're really paranoid that someone's going to send you something because you used teleflip you probably shouldn't use the service.

[thetzfreak]

Well, Teleflip is a service that sends the text messages through THEIR special service they coded themselves. However, other sites, such as www.text4free.net, send email STRAIGHT through the provider's gateways, so the service there is just as secure as sending a text message straight through your cellphone.

I'm not exactly sure how teleflip works though, but it still seems pretty safe IMO.

Thanks.

[CellGeek]

The problem with textforfree.net is that you must know the name of the service provider of the person that will receive the message. Kind-of defeats the purpose. With Teleflip, you do not need to know what cell service the person has.

Originally Posted by thetzfreak

Well, Teleflip is a service that sends the text messages through THEIR special service they coded themselves. However, other sites, such as www.text4free.net, send email STRAIGHT through the provider's gateways, so the service there is just as secure as sending a text message straight through your cellphone.

I'm not exactly sure how teleflip works though, but it still seems pretty safe IMO.

Thanks.