Methods, systems, and computer program products are disclosed for preventing the delivery of unwanted SMS messages, such as those containing unsolicited commercial messages or spam, in a communications network. More particularly, SMS messages are intercepted prior to delivery and at least a portion of the SMS message content is encapsulated within an electronic mail (e-mail) message. The e-mail message is communicated to an e-mail spam filtering resource in a data network, where spam screening/filtering algorithms are applied. The e-mail message is discarded at the e-mail spam filtering resource if the message fails spam screening. Alternatively, or in addition, the results of the spam screening may be returned with the original message for another network node to process accordingly. In any case, if the message passes spam screening, the original SMS message that is associated with the e-mail message may be delivered to/toward the intended message recipient.