Wifi is usually on. Data could have been enabled, but the phone was off (clicked off not powered off) when I went through N.
But now I see this http://lifehacker.com/how-retail-stores-track-you-using-your-smartphone-and-827512308
So yes, implies to turn off wifi. Will do.
That was a very enlightening and interesting article @lookingforward, and it’s obvious they are tracking your movements. But nowhere does it say they get your cell phone number (or that they have the ability). The article states they use a unique address (MAC) to track your phone. It seems if you download their app and enter your phone number while in the store they could connect the your phone number with the MAC address, but it doesn’t state they can do it some other way. Is there some way to (other than through the cell phone providers) of connecting a MAC address with a phone number?
I’ve rarely gotten spam texts and when I do it’s truly spam (i.e. not a legitimate source). I use wifi in all sorts of places including stores. When I get the spam, I just assume they are using random numbers and “got lucky” that it hit a valid cell phone number.
"I walk into Macy’s, Macy’s knows that I just entered the store, and they’re able to give me a personalized recommendation through my phone the moment I enter the store,” …
When a cell phone is active, it’s repeatedly sending out “here I am” type messages, tethering then to networks.
Once D2 went off from college to Canada, deactivated when she got there. In that few moments, I got an email from Verizon about taking a Canadian calling plan.
Still not convinced, not saying it isn’t true, but nothing said has connected the actual phone number with the wifi tracking. The person walking into Macy’s may have the app installed or otherwise given her phone number.
And I assume Verizon is your provider. Of course they know your number and where your phone is.
Apparently your unique MAC address is enough.
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs/techftc/2014/02/my-phone-your-service
As that was a very long article, I will admit that I ended up skimming after a while. (So, please quote the article if I missed it)
It seems to be all about tracking you while you are in the store. Obviously, people may have issues with that and I do find it all very enlightening. I didn’t realize that was happening. But I nothing I’ve seen so far has mentioned that they get your phone number and use it later to send a text.
I did find this article (again only about tracking, not obtaining a phone number) and it states that iOS 8 “fixed” the problem. (I.e. it emits different mac addresses)
But this one says it isn’t enough.
I’ve now spent way more time on this than I should right now. But I do find all this interesting. I guess I can check off “learn something new” from my to do list. 
@Waiting2exhale, put your cursor over the sender name and right click. That will give you the option to click “view message source” which will show you who actually sent it as well as the text of the email, all without actually opening the email.
That has never happened to me and my cell phone is almost always on for wifi. However, the article suggests that the retailer needs you to have an app or to have added your email address or phone number via the store’s wifi. I also don’t see any retail stores in my wifi history. I also have called up stores websites on my phone while in the store to get a coupon and still have never gotten a message from the store.
I don’t see where the FTC link says you need an app.
“your phone sends and receives packets of information that includes your phone’s unique MAC address. The open Wi-Fi network and any parties eavesdropping on local Wi-Fi communications can learn the MAC address of your mobile phone.”
And from that MAC address, get back to you.
This happened to me after passing through Nordstrom. It is technically possible.
Anyway, yeah, maybe we can get off this point.
This…This is what I’m not finding anywhere in these articles. Yes, with a MAC address I’m sure someone (with the right authority) could go to your provider and find out your phone number. What I want to know is there anyway of doing that simply on one’s own. I’m not seeing that.
There was in one of the articles a statement that if you used their app and gave them your phone number they could connect that information with the MAC it came from and then tie the two together. But none of the articles say anything about getting your phone number from the MAC alone.
Again, I’m not saying it isn’t true. Heck this is all news to me, but I haven’t seen anything that supports that it’s true either.
CM, you realize the MAC address has noting to do with MacIntosh or Apple? It’s an identifier for your cell.
@lookingforward - Yes, I realize that. It uniquely identifies your cell phone. Since you have a unique phone number associated with that unique MAC address I would believe you could find out the phone number from the MAC address if you had the appropriate access. For example, I’m sure your service provider could tell someone (for example the police in an investigation) what the phone number goes with what specific MAC address. (I am just guessing on this, but to me this seems reasonable).
However, what I’m asking about and what none of those articles state is that someone like a store with no other information than a MAC address could get your phone number. None of the articles say this is a problem. They only say that the store can “follow” you and what departments you’ve been in. Nothing about being able to access your phone number. I would think that if that were easily possible, any of those articles would have mentioned and warned the reader that a store can obtain your phone number from this tracking. But, no, they only warn the reader about the tracking. So it sounds to me like the real issue is tracking. (With the exception if you use their wifi while using their app where you have already given them your phone number).
I went back and reread the article you posted. Note that the Macy’s person VOLUNTEERED information:
The rest of the article talks about using the tracking and video cameras to know who a customer is (connecting shopping habits with demographics). Nothing about lifting a phone number from this method of tracking.
Again, I’m not saying it isn’t true. But nothing that I’ve googled or that you’ve pointed to has brought this up as a problem, so I’m highly skeptical.
I have received 20 spam emails since 6:00 AM today. My spam filter is hardly catching any of them.
VH…I think your spam filter is the issue. I’ve gotten about 20 today…but ALL were on my spam folder. Nonewere in my inbox.
Well, my spam filter used to work just fine, but even then, I’d only get maybe one spam email every other day or so. Nothing like this. So how to I increase the wattage (if you will) on my spam filter??