How to Prevent Spam Text Messages from Reaching Your Smartphone
Here are five ways to filter or block spam SMS.
- Don’t react to unsolicited SMS messages.
You’re undoubtedly aware of how reputable sources allow you to opt out of future text contact by answering “STOP”. Many spammers offer you the opportunity to react with STOP — but don’t.
Spammers see your response – any response, even STOP – as a signal that you got your message and are actively engaged in it. This might encourage them to send you additional messages. Your information may potentially be sold to other spammers seeking “confirmed active” phone numbers.
- Inform your cellular provider about spammers.
One method for combating spam text messages is to report unsolicited texters directly to your phone service provider. You may copy the objectionable message and text it to 7726 for most major carriers, including AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon.
You should receive a response, which may include a request to give the phone number from where the spam originates. It depends on the carrier. This is unlikely to provide immediate effects for you. But it will help to clean up the texting environment for everyone.
- Screen for suspected spammers
Most phones feature an option that automatically filters possible spam messages so they don’t display alongside critical, valid texts from known contacts in the same list.
From your iPhone’s Settings app, go to “Messages.” Swipe to the right to enable “Filter Unknown Senders” as you scroll down.
Open the Messaging app on Android and hit the three dots in the upper right corner. Choose “Settings,” then “Spam Protection” from the drop-down menu. Finally, swipe the button to the right to enable “Enable spam prevention.”
- Prohibit certain spammers.
You may ban a phone number in your messaging app if you receive a lot of spam from it. However, don’t expect this to work in every case because most scammers will pretend to call you from a new phone number each time. So blocking certain numbers may have just a minor impact.
Open the spam text on your iPhone and tap the user icon at the top of the screen, then “info.” On the next page, tap “info” once more, then “Block this Caller.”
Depending on your Android messaging app, tap the three dots at the top of the message then select “Block number” from the drop-down box.
- Purchase a text-blocking program that is not free.
Hopefully, combining the aforementioned tactics will considerably reduce the amount of spam you receive. If you want further support, you can install a spam-blocking application.
RoboKiller, an iPhone and Android app, may significantly reduce the amount of spam you get via phone calls and text messages. These applications, on the other hand, are not free. RoboKiller provides a seven-day free trial before costing $5 per month or $40 annually.
