Texting is a fairly new invention that has expanded how we communicate with others. However, it’s also expanded how spammers and telemarketers can target us with fraudulent scams or spam SMS messages.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission reports that nearly $10 million has already been lost due to text message scams in 2021 alone. This report proves that spam texts are both frustrating and potentially dangerous.
Here’s how you can stop and block SMS spam texts from appearing on your phone.
Who Blocks Texts?
There are a few ways that you can report unwanted texts. Perhaps the easiest way is directly through your mobile carrier.
Most major carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile allow you to forward unwanted spam messages to SPAM (7726). This will report the number to your mobile carrier to ensure they don’t bother more people with their potential scam.
You can also add yourself to the “Do Not Call Registry.” If you add your number to this registry, telemarketers must remove your number from their call lists. The registry also applies to text messages, so it’s a good idea to throw your number on there if you’re getting tired of robocalls.
What Is a Spam Message?
A spam message is any form of unwanted or unsolicited communication, often sent in bulk. A spam text might look like someone offering you money with no strings attached or threatening you to take action.
Spam messages can also take the form of emails or voicemail messages, so it’s important to be mindful.
The Problem With Identifying Spam
Sometimes, a spam caller can use tactics that elicit emotion and make it difficult to pinpoint the legitimacy of a call or text. That’s one of the main reasons Americans lose nearly $30 billion to phone scams in a given year.
Scammers may use a tactic known as caller ID spoofing in which they alter their area code to look like a local number. When you receive an unsolicited text, don’t answer any questions. You should ignore the message and report it as spam. Any interaction with the message may alert the scammer that your number is legitimate, and they may keep calling or texting back.
If you get a call or text from a government agency, someone claiming to work at your bank, or someone asking for personal information, always verify their authenticity. In most circumstances, a legitimate source will also send a written statement in the mail.
The Solution For Identifying Spam Texts
With smartphone technology gaining a foothold, there are new ways to identify spam calls. Firewall is an example that uses a whitelist approach based on your contacts, giving you total control over who is allowed to get through.
Firewall reveals who is calling you, whether it’s a local business, robocall, or telemarketer. For example, if you get a call from a new number, Firewall can label the call as a known robocaller, so you know not to answer.
The app also lets you block unknown SMS messages to help stop scammers and marketers from polluting your messages app.
Does It Work?
Most third-party apps use a blacklist approach to block spam calls and messages. This feature means all calls can come through until you block them. Scammers can easily penetrate this type of security.
Apps like Firewall with a whitelisting approach are more stringent. Whitelisting means that numbers are blocked until you allow them through. This function makes it easier to keep spam messages away, so you never need to worry about them.
How to Block Texts
You can block texts easily on iMessage on your iPhone or in the messaging app on your Android. If you’re getting sick of your inbox being clogged by useless messages, here are some ways to end them.
On iPhone
To block messages on your iPhone:
Open the Messages app.
Open the text message from the number you wish to block.
Tap the contact icon at the top of the screen and click “Info” in the drop-down menu.
In the details screen, tap the right-facing arrow next to the name or phone number that texted you.
Click “Block this Caller.”
In the pop-up menu, click “Block Contact.”
On Android
To block messages on your Android device:
Open the message from the number you want to block.
Tap the three-dot menu at the top of the screen.
In the drop-down menu, click “Details.”
On the details page, tap “Block and Report Spam.”
You can check the box in the pop-up menu to ensure that the message gets reported for spam. Leave the box unchecked if you don’t want to report the message and you’re just looking to block it.
Conclusion
Spam messages are more than a frustrating nuisance; they can put your safety at risk. Thousands of people are tricked by SMS scams each year, and you don’t want to fall victim to the same tricks.
Spam texts are usually pretty easy to spot, as they may request personal information or claim to be from a government agency. With that said, tactics like caller ID spoofing can make it more difficult to identify legitimate calls from scams.
Apps like Firewall can help you pinpoint unwanted messages and calls before they reach you to help keep your identity safe. If you ever receive a text from a number you don’t recognize, there are plenty of ways to block and report the number directly through your carrier.
Sources:
Stop Unwanted Robocalls and Texts | FCC.
Americans lost $29.8 billion to phone scams over the past year | CNBC