***Strange Messages on my Desktop***

Hi there.
I'm a brand new Android user. Just got the Android 2. upon activation I immediately started getting strange messages appearing on my desktop (Actually, it's the screen that comes up when you turn on the phone or the phone is locked... when you unlock the phone, it disappears.).
The first asked that if the phone was found to please contact a phone # that was NOT mine. the 2nd said this...
"get the hell off my phone. Don’t know how you got my number but this is mine leave my settings alone and I have reported you to Verizon."
The 3rd just says "Arturo"

These are not text messages.. they appear to be some sort of alert, as there is an icon of a BELL next to them. Each one seems to overwrite the previous one and I can't find the old ones. I HAVE NO IDEA who is sending these messages, nor HOW they are doing it. Apparently Verizon has no clue either.

has anyone any idea or suggestion as to what is happening? Can you broadcast a message directly to someones screen?

Any ideas will be appreciated.

Thanks!

Gavin