It's a new twist on telemarketing, but one that can end up costing consumers a bundle.

Text message spam -- or unwanted incoming messages on your cell phone -- can cost you every time you get one, whether you read it or not. tTere are some tools to avoid them.

It didn't take long for a slew of spam text messages to get on cell phone users' nerves.

"I just looked and it and I said, that sucks, that was 15 cents, and then I just deleted it,” said cell phone user Structin Tabisola.

A sales pitch for computer software hit some T-mobile customers this week, some who will pay 15 cents a pop.

"My mom's screaming at me because text messages are going up, and I’m like, not all of it is me," Tabisola said.

"I got three today," said cell phone user Tommy Drews. “Why? Why am I getting charged for something I never asked for? And I'm getting a backdoor solicitation from a telemarketer via text mail."

Whether you open them or not, all text messages that land on your phone count as received.

"So every time somebody sends me a random message, and I have no choice I have to check it, it costs 15 cents,” Tabisola said. “Kind of tough. Now that telemarketers and random people are sending me stuff, it's getting kind of irritating.

T-mobile says their spam blockers filter most of these out, and they told Action Line they've engaged their specialized team that addresses text messaging spam so they can investigate the source. T-mobile says they'll address any requests for refunds on a case-by-case basis.

It can happen to cell phone users from any service provider. Tools to avoid text spam include:

* Set up spam message filters specific to any messages you're receiving;

* Ask about message blocking features;

* Protect your cellular number from marketers by leaving it off contest or sweepstakes entries or anything else that could be sold or passed along. The large carriers say they don't sell numbers.

* The Federal Trade Commission does consider text messaging a "call" -- so putting your cell phone on the FTC's “Do Not Call” list should help cut down on text spam. Visit www.donotcall.gov, or call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone number you wish to register.