To stop unwanted messages, use your phone's built-in features to block numbers, report spam, and filter messages from unknown senders, while also enabling carrier-level spam protection and using third-party apps like RoboKiller for extra security, and be cautious about sharing your number online. For emails or marketing texts, always use the "unsubscribe" option if available and avoid clicking suspicious links.
Tips for avoiding unwanted texts
Several mobile service providers allow you to block the sender by forwarding unwanted texts to 7726 (or "SPAM"). Check with your provider about options. Be careful about giving out your mobile phone number or any other personal information.
Filter unknown senders
You may be getting spam texts because your phone number ended up on a marketing list, or because automated tools randomly generated it. Most spam texts are just unwanted promotions, but some could be scammers trying to steal your personal information. Either way, ignore the message and block the number.
You can tell them to stop sending you texts by replying 'STOP' to the text message. Only reply with 'STOP' if the sender tells you who they are in the text or they're identified in the sent-from number. If you don't recognise the sender of a nuisance text or it's from an unknown number, don't reply.
For illegal scam calls, pressing 9 can actually increase the number of calls you receive. The safest way to stop telemarketing calls legally is by leveraging your legal rights. Register on the National Do Not Call Registry and understand the TCPA and state-specific rules.
Block the number: Blocking a sender stops any further spam received from that number from reaching your inbox, helping prevent repeat spam texts. Report the message to your phone company: Reporting spam messages to your phone company helps them take action against spammy and fraudulent practices.
If you are getting spam text messages, you can forward them to the number 7726 or “SPAM” to report them to your wireless provider. Providers use information reported by customers through 7726 to further calibrate spam filters and other sophisticated tools to protect consumers from spam messages.
You can block a number that's been sending you junk messages. However, this is only helpful if the same number continues to send the texts. Spammers typically spoof or switch phone numbers, so even if you block the number, you can still receive messages from the same spammer using a different number.
To scare a scammer, you could waste their time with silly responses, pretend to be an automated messenger, or resend them the messages they sent you. Report all text scams to the Federal Trade Commission's Report Fraud site, filter messages from unknown numbers, and avoid opting in on company sites.
On an Android:
Open the Messages app. Tap your profile icon, then select Messages Settings. Go to Spam protection and turn on Enable spam protection. This feature flags suspected spam messages for you.
It's generally better to block spam emails rather than simply delete them. This helps your email provider improve their spam filters and reduce the likelihood of similar messages appearing in the future.
Replying STOP every time you get one of these messages will, eventually, cut down on the number of texts you get, “though it probably won't stop them altogether,” she said. Another step is to be discerning about giving out your information.
Yes. To remove your number, call 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to remove. Your number will be off the Registry the next day. Businesses and organizations have to update their telemarketing lists within 31 days.
For Android Users
The Do Not Call list doesn't actually block everyone from reaching out to you unsolicited. The FTC rules still allow calls about political campaigns, charities, debt collections and surveys to go through, even if you're on the registry.
To stop spam calls, register on the National Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov) for telemarketers, enable your phone's built-in "Silence Unknown Callers" or spam filter, and consider carrier apps like T-Mobile Scam Shield or AT&T ActiveArmor, as truly permanent stopping involves a multi-layered approach using official lists, device settings, and apps, since some calls (charities, surveys) still get through.
Blocking and Text Messaging
When a number is blocked, the blocked person can technically still send a text message to your phone number. However, the message will not be delivered to your SMS inbox. Instead, it will appear as though the message was sent, but you won't receive it.
Forward suspicious text messages to 7726 - it's free. This will report the message to your mobile phone provider.
You should be wary of answering calls from Caribbean area codes like 876 (Jamaica), 473 (Grenada), 268 (Antigua & Barbuda), 284 (BVI), and 649 (Turks & Caicos), as these are frequently linked to one-ring scams, lottery fraud, and investment scams, where a brief ring prompts you to call back, incurring high charges. Letting calls from unknown international numbers go to voicemail is best, as scammers often spoof local numbers or use these hotspots for fraud, and legitimate callers usually leave a message.
Responding to a text can't get you hacked in itself, but it can increase your chances of getting hacked in the future. Scammers might keep a list of responsive targets to attack more aggressively, which means replying to one text might result in more texts being sent your way.
Can a scammer steal your information or infect your phone simply by opening a text message? The short answer is a resounding no. Just opening a text message, even a suspicious one, won't directly infect your device or compromise your data. However, the danger lies in what you do after you open the message.
Flagging an email as spam sends a message. It instructs your inbox to filter out similar messages in the future. That's better than deleting or unsubscribing.