Published on Oct 08, 2024
Prasanta R
How to Stop Spam Texts? 7 Steps To Block Spam Texts
Today every individual owns a mobile phone. People are constantly busy with their cell phones due to the rapid growth of technology and the Internet. They are likely to text individuals they know dozens of times a day and communicate with each other constantly.
But have you ever received a text message from someone you didn't know? It could probably be a scammer attempting to steal your personal and private information. With this article, learn what spam text is, deal with unwanted text messages, and stop them.
What Is a Spam Text Message?
Any undesired or unsolicited text message sent randomly to your mobile phone, usually for commercial motives, is referred to as Spam Text Messages. They are usually sent in bulk over the Internet or through an electronic messaging platform.
These spam texts can take any form. It could be a simple message, a link to a phone number or SMS, a link to a website for more information, or a link to a website where you can download an app.
The most common forms of undesired text messages on mobile phones are the unknown numbers and Robo-texts delivered by auto-dialers that offer a product or a service. The majority of spam texts are harmless in terms of theft, malware, or the alleged phone virus compared to Phishing attacks.
What Is a Phishing Text?
Phishing Text is also commonly known as Smishing. It uses fraudulent text messages to attract customers. These scam texts ask people for their details about credit cards or bank accounts to steal their personal information. Some scammers try to persuade you to click on a dangerous link, which will infect your phone with malware.
Phishing emails and SMS messages may appear to be from a company you're familiar with. They try to fool you into clicking a link or opening a file that contains viruses. As a result, this malware steals your personal or financial data.
7 Steps To Block Spam Texts
Spam texts are annoying and dangerous. Spam texts often install malicious software on your smartphone and try to access your personal information. According to the Federal Trade Commission, sending unsolicited, commercial text messages to a wireless device is prohibited unless the sender has your permission.
But don't worry, you can stop unwanted text messages from appearing on your cell phone. Are you ready to get rid of scam text messages.? Here are seven easy steps to stop receiving spam SMS.
Be Careful While Giving Out Phone Numbers
It is one of the crucial steps in preventing unwanted messages or spam text messages. To avoid scammers from connecting you, you need to be cautious when giving your phone number to companies or other persons.
We provide our personal information for various reasons, like when entering contests, creating online accounts, completing forms, and making transactions. Hence, it is essential to think twice before giving your private data to someone else.
You need to keep your private information to yourself. It is crucial to understand that legal companies don't ask for sensitive personal information such as account passwords, government identity numbers, and phone numbers.
So it's crucial to be aware of these scammers. Don't give out your phone number to strangers. Treat them as if it is one of the most precious assets you own.
Also, when creating online accounts instead of giving out your real phone numbers, you can use fake numbers. This practice helps safeguard your sensitive information and stop spam texts. There are several online tools available for generating such fake phone numbers like Smart Tools AI.
Don't Click Any Of The Links You Receive
If you click on any strange links you receive on your mobile phone, you are introduced to more spam. Strange links can direct you to phishing scams that steal your sensitive personal information. It also infects your mobile device with malware that takes up your phone's memory and reduces the performance of your mobile phone.
Clicking on malicious links also leads to unnecessary increases in your phone bill. They charge you for receiving a text message or whether you requested it. So, you have to be careful while clicking on any link you receive; double-check before clicking on any link.
Don't Respond To Spam Messages
Don't text them back if you receive any messages from an unknown sender or a phone number. If you directly text those spam text messages, the scammers know that your phone number is real. Spam text messages are sent so that you are tempted to reply to those spam texts with harsh messages urging them to stop.
But this is one of the common tricks used by scammers to confirm that your phone number is in use. They can even sell your phone numbers to other spammers. So, you should not respond to spam texts and take the necessary steps to block them.
Block The Spam Numbers
Blocking spam numbers is one of the easiest yet effective methods to stop receiving spam texts. You can easily cut off the sender's line of communication. The scammers can message you again using different phone numbers, but it's better to block them as you don't have to receive the spam text from the same sender.
Spam text blocking works perfectly on both iPhone and Android devices. Here are ways to block spam numbers on both iPhone and Android devices:
How To Block Spam Text On Android Devices
Follow these simple steps to stop spam texts on an Android device.
Step 1: Open the messaging app and select the text you want to block.
Step 2: At the top corner, select the three-dot menu.
Step 3: Select "Details" from the drop-down menu.
Step 4: Select "Block Contact" from the drop-down menu.
How To Block Spam Text On iPhone
Step 1: Open the messaging app and select the text you want to block.
Step 2: Select the arrow next to the phone number located at the top of the screen.
Step 3: Select the "Info" icon.
Step 4: At the bottom of the page, choose the red-highlighted "Block this Caller" option.
Report the Spam Number and Texts
You can send any spam text messages to 7726 that notifies your carrier about the spam texts. They'll examine if the SMS is fake or illegal, and the carrier has the option to block those numbers.
How To Report Spam Text Messages On iPhone
Step 1: Copy the phone number of the sender.
Step 2: Press and hold the text message for a long time.
Step 3: Select the "More" option.
Step 4: In the lower right corner, tap the "Arrow" icon.
Step 5: In the To: field, type 7726.
Step 6: Your carrier will respond with a request for you to provide the sender's phone number.
Step 7: Now paste the number you copied before and submit it. The carrier will respond to it.
How To Report Spam Text Messages On Android
Step 1: Open the messages.
Step 2: On the left, select the "Contact" icon.
Step 3: In the lower right corner, select "Report."
Step 4: Select Okay after selecting "General Spam."
Use The Message Filtering Options On Your Phone
Filtering spam messages reduces the volume of spam texts on your mobile phone. It filters messages from unknown or non-saved numbers. They are not the best option but are useful for keeping your text messaging app less congested.
How to Filter Text Messages on Android
Step 1: Open the messaging app.
Step 2: Click the three dots symbol in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
Step 3: Select "Settings" then "Spam Protection."
Step 4: Select the "Enable Spam Protection" option at the bottom of the page.
Step 5: Swipe the button to the right to turn it on.
If you can't find the Spam Protection option on your mobile phone, your phone doesn't support this feature.
How to Filter Text Messages on iPhone
Step 1: Select "Messages" from the Settings.
Step 2: Scroll down to the "Filter Unknown Senders" section.
Step 3: Swipe the button to the right to turn it on. All messages from numbers that aren't saved in your contact list will be directed to the "Unknown Senders" page under "Filters."
Install Text Blocking Apps
The best way to add an extra layer of protection to your device from spam texts is to use text blocking apps. You can get text message blocker apps for both android and iPhone. Nomorobo and Robokiller are two popular text blocking apps. This third-party software filters spam text messages and block them. These applications examine text messages from numbers that aren't saved on your phone.
The spam text will be sent to an SMS Junk Folder in your text message app if the number is not valid. These apps also block robocalls. But each of these two apps requires a monthly membership, but they effectively block and filter suspicious Robo texts and spam messages.
After a seven-day trial, RoboKiller costs $4.99 per month or $39.99 per year, but Nomorobo costs $1.99 per month per device after a 14-day trial. If you decide to utilize a third-party service, you can try it out for free to see if it meets your needs before committing.
Finally:
Scam text messages are a common method of obtaining personal information. If you are continuously receiving spam text messages, then you need to stop them. You can stop spam texts from appearing on your phone or other mobile devices using the steps mentioned in the article. It is crucial to know what spam texts are and how to stop or block them. So, don't panic whenever you receive any spam text messages and start following the simple steps to block spam texts. I hope this article has been beneficial for you.