So what's the story with spam text messages? There is no story actually. Except for the fact that their numbers have increased heavily in the past 5 years.

Have you ever received a spam text? Did you ever send messages reported as spam? What about your subscribers? Have they reported more suspicious texts recently?

Well, that's where the subject gets interesting. Mainly because you are advertising through SMS. And are trying to cash in on a growing market, with 295 million dollars spent in 2012 only on US mobile messaging ads.

But, also, you want to stay away from that spam etiquette, not be a part of the 4 billions messages that were reported malicious in 2011.

Know what spam messages are and keep your customers away from being tracked as active numbers. Use these practices to gain and keep your SMS trust:

To avoid spammers texting to your audience :

1. Let your prospects know that they shouldn't give their number away to any third parties

2. Ask them not to respond to anyone contacting them on your behalf

3. Don't ask prospects to publish telephone numbers in public places

4. Include strict rules into your privacy policies; provide various options to prospects not wanting to be contacted by text

5. Always use your complete name and a trusted number when texting

6. Don't ask customers to visit unknown, third party sites

7. Encourage your customers to use phone apps

Use Handcent SMS and BlackList free filters for Android, or iBlackList for iPhones.

8. Keep in line with the latest scammers at scamwatch.gov.au

9. If you or your customers are receiving suspicious texts:

-Don't access the link

-Don't reply the message – it will know spammers that your number is active

-Don't ignore it – spam messages can still charge your phone bill

- register with ACMA's Do not call list

- Report spam by forwarding it to ACMA's dedicated number 0429 999 888

Have you heard about 'Hitman' ?– a notorious 2012 scam involving SMS death threats received from hitmen claiming to kill