You called an 800, 888, or 900 number, which allows telecommunications networks to use Automatic Number Identification (ANI) to identify you - and give your info away. You reported a spam text or forwarded it without removing the link first, and accidentally validated your number as active. You replied to a spam text, exposing your number to other spammers. You entered your phone number into a sketchy site. Your number was exposed in a data breach. Your number was generated randomly by a robot.Ī social media or other type of company sold your number. Here are some common reasons you’re getting spam texts: Of course, the spam could also be coming from a company you’ve dealt with in the past that still has your number. Or, the spam might be the result of a data leak or you sharing your number online. You could be getting spam texts because someone is trying to access your personal information. And consider what you might be doing that’s causing spam texts and potentially compromising the safety of your identity online. While you’re learning how to report text spam, protect yourself from fraud by learning what identity theft is and how it works - spam texts and cybercrime are more connected than you might think. Not only can reporting it stop you from getting spam texts, but it can help others too.Įven though reporting spam is helpful, the scammer is probably using a spoofed phone number, which is a type of attack - called spoofing - that lets scammers hide from cyberpolice. There, you’ll find tips on how to block spam texts for specific carriers.Īfter you spot a spam text, report it right away. To report spam texts through your wireless provider - such as AT&T, Verizon, or Virgin Mobile - go to the Cellular Communication and Internet Association (CTIA) website. To report spam texts through the FTC, go to their Report Fraud website and provide as much information as possible about the spam messages and numbers. You can usually find this option by opening the recent text or call from the suspected spam number. To report spam text through your messaging app, look for an option to report junk or spam. This works in the US, because forwarding spam to 7726 sends it directly to AT&T’s spam defense team. To report spam messages through text, copy the message contents, remove any links, and forward it to 7726 (SPAM). There are four ways to report spam texts: forward the spam message to 7726, report the spam directly in your messaging app, report it to your wireless provider, or report spam texts to the FTC (in the US). How to report spam textsĪ good way to stop spam texts is to report them and cut the spammers off at the source. You can block or report spam numbers straight from the spam text you receive, or from your phone’s message settings. Spam texts can get around blocks by slightly changing their numbers, but some third-party apps know how to stop spam texts by blocking the country code. You won’t receive notifications from these numbers, and their spam texts will be sent to a separate SMS folder. Turn on Filter Unknown Senders.įiltering unknown senders on an iPhone works like the Junk folder in your email. To stop spam texts on iPhone, go to Device settings and tap Messages > Message Filtering. Tap Settings > Block numbers, then choose from unknown senders, recent calls, or your contact list. To stop spam texts on Android, open the Phone app and tap Menu (three dots). Those are just the basic steps - there's more to learn if you really want to know how to stop spam texts from scammers. Report spam texts (remove any links first)įilter unknown senders through your phone's settingsĭownload antivirus software as spam insurance Put your phone number into online forms unless requiredĬall 800, 888, or 900 numbers without hiding your number first Here are some tips to teach you how to stop spam texts:įorward messages with links (the link “expands” when forwarded, telling the scammer you're real) But, replying to an actual scammer won't work - once they know you’re a real person, they’ll likely spam you even more. To block legitimate companies’ marketing ploys, replying “STOP” should stop spam texts. Robots can send spam messages automatically through an email or instant messaging service.
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