This article was originally published on Avast.com. It has been reused here without permission. CENTURY 21 Redwood Realty is not partnered with Avast; this support guide is not an endorsement of their product or company.
Spam texts are unsolicited communications sent to mobile devices via SMS or instant messaging apps. Unwanted texts usually come from unknown numbers or as robotexts sent out in bulk by auto-dialers. Just like other forms of spam messages, spam texts often promote a product or service.
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Spam comes in a variety of other forms, including spoofed phone calls from spam phone numbers as well as all the spam emails inundating our inboxes. Most spam messages are relatively harmless, and filtering out spam is usually simple. But while they usually don’t spreadcomputer viruses or other malware, some spammers may be phishing for personal data or trying to scam you.
You could be getting spam messages because you’ve replied to spam texts in the past, called a toll-free number, or simply because some of the websites you’ve visited, signed up for, or ordered from have shared your personal info with data brokers.
Here are some reasons you might be getting spam text messages:
Spammers have an almost-endless supply of annoying messages, schemes, and ploys. But most phishing messages — the kind of spam you need to watch out for — fall into one of a few categories.
Here are some of the most common examples of spam messages:
A phishing text message is a scam via text message that tries to fool you into providing sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, or credit card info. Compared to typical marketing spam that may annoyingly advertise an offer or service, phishing texts usually aim to steal your personal data and use it against you.
Phishing attacks may also try to get you to install malicious software. Antivirus software will help prevent phishing attacks, keep your device and data safe, and get rid of spam messages in your inbox.
Robotexts are automated messages (robot messages) used by marketing spammers to send unwanted advertisements and other junk in bulk. Thankfully, you can block robotexts sent by bots in the same way that you can block other kinds of spam — directly in your messaging app.
Don’t interact with the text, except to block the number to prevent it from sending you more spam in the future. Then, report the spam text and spam phone number to alert your mobile carrier to the problem. Finally, use your phone’s built-in filtering and blocking features to shield yourself from all kinds of spam.
SMS bombing happens when people flood the inbox of a particular number with a torrent of SMS spam messages from apparently different numbers. Certan apps and websites specialize in SMS bombing, which can be difficult to stop given the sheer volume of spam texts.
Often starting as a prank, SMS bombing can go beyond prank status and into cybercrime — especially if it’s used as a cyberbulling technique. Built-in spam filters and third-party spam blockers can help stop SMS bombing. And you can also sign up to Do Not Text lists to unsubscribe from future spam and help prevent SMS bombing attacks.
You can block spam texts on most phones by opening the relevant messaging app, long-pressing the unwanted text, and tapping Report spam. Or, when the fake message is displayed on your phone, select the Options icon (3 dots) and select Block.
Here’s how to block spam texts on specific device types:
Here’s how to block unwanted spam text messages on your Android phone.
Note that navigation may differ slightly for different Android manufacturers. Most Android phones have an option to enable spam protection against spam texts and calls in your device settings.
If you’re getting iPhone spam text messages, you can block them in a couple of different ways, making yourself less susceptible to future spam and phishing attacks.
Here’s how to block spam messages and unwanted texts on your iPhone:
Your iPhone can also filter out spam text messages on its own. Here’s how to block spam texts automatically:
You can stop unwanted spam text messages in several ways. Ensure you never respond to spam messages, report spam whenever you receive it, or even install a third-party app to filter out spam messages. And, always block spam phone numbers to shield yourself from spammers and the online scams they perpetuate.
Here’s how to stop spam text messages:
No matter how annoying it is to receive random text messages from unknown numbers, do not respond to them. Responding to spam is one of the worst things you can do, because it lets the spammers know that your cell phone number is active, and you could invite a barrage of more robotexts and other unsolicited messages.
A simple way to stop spam texts from arriving in your inbox is to block spam numbers on your phone. This works on both iPhone and Android devices, and it prevents messages or calls from the blocked number from reaching you. Note that spammers may be able to bypass the block if they spoof someone else’s phone number.
Scammers may be getting smarter, but mobile service providers are also getting better at identifying and blocking spam phone numbers. Reporting suspicious texts or spam messages to your carrier helps protect yourself and others by preventing similar texting scams in the future. To report spam messages to AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile, forward the spam message to 7726.
You can also report a suspicious phone number and file a complaint with the relevant authorities in your jurisdiction. In the US, unwanted texts and internet scams can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission via the National Do Not Call Registry. You can also add your number to their Do Not Text list, which unsubscribes you from known spammers by banning them from targeting you.
For an extra layer of spam security, use an app to proactively block text messages from scammers and spam phone numbers. These apps draw upon enormous databases that are constantly updated to automatically block text scams and stop spam text messages from inundating your phone.
There are a range of built-in and third-party apps for filtering and blocking spam texts. And there are various organizations dedicated to investigating unlawful, inappropriate spamming and spoofing to which you can report spam texts and other potentially dangerous messages.
The best text blockers for Android don’t just stop spam text messages. They also include features like call silencing and spam recognition that can alert you to possible scams. For extra help in stopping spam texts, use an ad blocker for Android as well.
Here are three of the best spam-blocking Android apps:
For an extra layer of protection on iOS, get a text blocking app for your iPhone. Effective at stopping spam of almost any kind, these top iOS text and call blockers get more powerful with each spam text report. Try an ad blocker for iOS to further protect against annoying disruptions on your phone.
Don’t click on links in a spam text message or email. Spam text messages are a common vehicle for phishing scams that try to coax you into clicking links that lead to pharming websites, which aim to steal your data or inject adware or other malware into your device.
And verify a website’s safety no matter how you get there — but especially if it’s via text or email. Ensuring you have a browser built for security and privacy set as your default browser can also help protect your data and stop spam from turning into something more threatening.
Legitimate companies won’t ask for sensitive personal information such as your address, account passwords, or government identification numbers via SMS. If you are asked to hand over personal data, report the spam text message immediately and take steps to block spammers sniffing around for your personal details. Without keeping your personal data private, you risk becoming a victim of identity theft.
Some spam advertising campaigns and other mobile scams force your cell phone to call or text premium numbers, which can run up your bill quickly. Review your mobile statements and look for any unusually high charges, unexpected data usage, or anything unusual.
Check your phone’s security settings and use any built-in privacy features like call blocking, caller ID, spam filters, and any other anti-spam controls to help stop unwanted text messages, spear phishing attempts, or other scams. These features will help you stop spam text messages.