I'm losing my mind--How can I retrieve a deleted text message?

[Chris in VA]

I could have sworn I got a text or email from my boss saying I didn't have a particular client on Friday. Turns out I did--but I still have an actual memory of reading the text (or email--pretty sure it was a text)!!

 

I'm not stupid. It was not a dream.

 

I crossed off the client from my schedule, and therefore didn't show up on Fri. Now I'm in trouble!

 

I deleted the messages in my phone inbox and my boss has no record of sending it, either.

 

Any recourse you can think of?

[Iucounu]

Depending on the phone company, they may have a record of it on their servers. However, you have to act fast to have any chance of getting the actual content of the message-- IIRC Verizon, for example, only keeps texts around for several days.

 

However, you can generally request a log of text messages sent and received, showing who sent whom a message and on what time and date. Those can be time-sensitive too, so should be requested ASAP as well. It could help to show that your boss sent you a text message at a particular time.

 

I'd start by calling customer service. Normal customer service doesn't usually deal with these requests, so if you get a dumb/inexperienced rep you may have to push a bit.

[Journey]

if you have verizon they can't help you. i've tried before and they say the texts aren't saved.

[Iucounu]

They actually are, but only for a few days. http://publicintelligence.info/VerizonLawEnforcementResourceTeam.pdf

 

ETA: You may be able to recover the text message off of your phone's memory card: http://www.ehow.com/how_5338836_recover-text-messages.html

Edited December 17, 2011 by Iucounu