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Spam texts and calls can be frustrating if it becomes an endless vicious loop where the spammer keeps texting you every now and then.
The best way to about this is to report these spam texts to your service provider. In the course and specifics of this article, we shall show how you can report spam text to Verizon (as well as other carriers). We shall also tell you the top do’s and don’ts when it comes to spam texts and calls.
Before all that, let us look at what spam text messages are and how they are related to phishing:
What Is Spam Text Messages and Phishing
Sometimes, people send out phoney text messages in an attempt to steal your sensitive personal data or your money. This is referred to as Spam Text Messaging and Phishing. The meaning of both is along the same line, and their sole purpose is to deceive people and harm them. Your email, bank, and other accounts could be compromised if they get their hands on that information. They could even use it to swindle other people.
Scammers try to entice you with a range of stories that are constantly changing. They could.
You can be promised a low-interest credit card or discounts to help you pay off your school debts in the future.
Sending bogus alerts about your account or transaction is another scam tactic used by fraudsters. Scammers may:
- claim they’ve seen some unusual activity on your account
- claim that your payment information has been compromised give you a false invoice and instruct you to contact them if you didn’t authorize the purchase
- send you a fake delivery notification
In order to claim your gift or take advantage of the offer, the messages may ask you for some personal information, such as your income, debt, bank account, credit card, or Social Security number. To learn more, they may direct you to a website or provide you with a link to one.
Spoofed websites may appear to be authentic, but they aren’t. The scammers will be able to steal your username and password if you log in. It is possible for malicious software to be installed on your mobile device without your knowledge.
How Can You Report Spam Texts on Your Phone?
Over one hundred mobile service providers throughout the world are represented by the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA). You can use the shortcode number provided to report spam messages because the majority of the major US carriers are participants.
To report spam, simply forward it to 7726 (which is spelled SPAM on a keypad). You may be requested for more information, such as the sender’s phone number, depending on your service provider. No matter what kind of texting plan you have, you can rest easy knowing that texts sent to or received from 7726 won’t count against your allotment.
Let’s take a look at how to forward texts on Android and iOS to help you out if you’re unsure.
Long-press the message you want to report on your iPhone (be careful not to tap any links). Tap the arrow in the bottom-right corner to proceed. In order to begin a new message, simply type in the number 7726 at the top of the screen.
Depending on your phone’s manufacturer and the SMS app you’re using, this can vary. To forward a message, long-press the message and search for the “Forward” option. A three-dot Menu button may hide a shortcut to it. The Forward Message option may be found under the Share menu in Pulse SMS. You can then send another message by dialing 7726.
How To Report Spam Texts to Verizon?
On the blocking FAQ portion of their website, Verizon explains what steps to do when you get a spam text message. As was mentioned earlier, you should send the message to the number 7726. Following this, you will receive a text message from Verizon inquiring about the From address of the message, also known as the sender’s number. If you respond with this, you will get a “thank you” message as a confirmation of your response.
When using the Message+ app from Verizon, you can simply long-press on a message and select the Report Spam option instead. When you do so, it will be removed from your device.
How To Report Spam Text For Different Carriers?
Here is how you can report spam texts to the other carriers, commonly prevalent in the U.S.
Report Spam Texts to AT&T
Those who use AT&T have the ability to report spam messages by sending them to the number 7726. In addition to this, you can offer further information by going to the page where you can report unwanted calls and texts provided by AT&T.
On this screen, you will have the opportunity to input the number that you wish to report, as well as your own telephone number. You are welcome to submit more information, such as the time you received the message and what the message instructed you to do, if that is something you would like to do. There is a place where you may report the number that it wanted you to call or the website that it wanted you to visit.
By providing this information, you are assisting AT&T in reducing the amount of spam messages that are sent over its network.
Report Spam Texts to T-Mobile
You may simply report spam texts to T-Mobile by sending them to the number 7726, just like you can do with other providers. You will receive confirmation, and then T-Mobile will send the message to its “security center” in order to conduct an investigation and take appropriate action.
Report Spam Texts to Sprint
If you are a Sprint client, you may report any spam texts you receive by sending them to the number 7726. Feel free to do so. After receiving a response from an automated service that requests the sender’s telephone number, you will be good to go.
Report Spam Texts to the FTC and FCC
Send your message to 7726 even if you don’t have one of the above carriers. This will at the very least result in an error notice.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) both accept reports of spam text messages if your provider doesn’t. For particularly vexing spam, it’s worth alerting additional authorities because there’s no harm in spreading the word.
Visit the FTC’s Complaint Assistant page to file a complaint about spam. Then select Text from the drop-down menu on the left-hand side. As expected, you’ll need to enter the recipient’s phone number, the content of the message, and other information.
The next step is to file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about the spam text.
While we’re on the subject of do not call lists, it’s worth bringing it up. According to the list’s rules, telemarketers and other unwanted companies can’t call you if you put your phone number on it. Text messages, on the other hand, are not covered. The Do Not Call feature is unnecessary if you’re solely concerned about receiving spam SMS.
How To Stop Spam Texts: 8 Do’s and Don’ts
- Don’t make an attempt to reply to any spam text directly
If you respond directly to a message that is spam, the spammer will know that your cell number is real. And who knows what occurs next? Perhaps, they would share or sell your number to other possible spammers, who would harass you with free gifts and discount offers.
- Do treat your personal information like it’s cash
Sensitive data related to your income, social security number, or bank and credit card details can be acquired by the spammer with help from text messaging. Always remember that a reputable and responsible company would never ask for personal and sensitive details such as credit card numbers or passwords via text.
You can go check the company’s phone number and call to see if their request is authentic. Keep the number out of your contact list.
- Don’t click on the URLs that come via text messages
By clicking on a URL that comes in a text message, you could possibly place malware on your cell. There are some sites that appear to be legitimate but actually end up stealing your vital data. Plus, malware can also reduce the efficient functioning of your phone by taking up space. Further, your information gathered could be shared with third parties, such as marketers or identity thieves.
Another possibility could be unwanted charges on your cell number. It doesn’t matter whether you asked or not; your wireless service provider would charge you for receiving and replying to the message.
- Do keep checking the mobile bill
Make sure to keep an eye out on the phone bill to know how much you have spent every month. If you notice anything unusual on your bill, give a call to the phone company to know if you are sending or receiving spam texts.
- Do check your phone’s settings
In order to avoid receiving unsolicited phone calls and texts, your phone most likely includes built-in protections. Using your device’s search function, type in “block.”
Look for the three dots at the top right of your text on Android devices. Select “Person” and “Options” from the drop-down menu that appears. Next, choose “Block” to stop getting spam text messages from the number you’ve just entered.
To remove spam from an iPhone, simply tap the I in the spam text’s upper right-hand corner. After that, select “Block” by clicking on the number.
- Do place your cell phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry
Do you want to know how to stop telemarketers from calling you? Most telemarketing calls can be avoided by signing up for the Federal Trade Commission’s National Do Not Call Registry. You can file a complaint with the FTC if you receive an unwelcome call after your phone number has been on the registry for 31 days.
- Do report spam texts to your wireless carrier
Send any texts you find strange or that appear to be spam to the number 7726, which spells out the word “spam,” so that your carrier can investigate. You don’t need to worry about going over your text message limit because any texts that you forward to the number 7726 are completely free. How to stop receiving unwanted messages using your particular carrier’s system. Please proceed in the following manner.
- Do check to see if your carrier offers a call-blocking service
The majority of the main carriers provide services or plans for call blocking, which enable customers to block the phone numbers of unknown callers for a predetermined amount of time. You can also check to see if one of the call-blocking applications or services provided by a third party is compatible with the wireless service provided by your carrier.
Curious about how to prevent receiving text messages? The majority of call-blocking programs or applications also have the capability to obstruct SMS.
The following are examples of third-party apps that block incoming calls:
- Nomorobo
- Hiya
- Robokiller
- YouMail
- Truecaller
- TrapCall
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