You see, unsolicited spam texts are something that has become a major nuisance for cell phone users.
The volume of unwanted marketing messages, phishing scams, and robocalls invading our phones can feel relentless. Sometimes we even find ourselves asking who texted me from this phone, right?
Yeah, it’s nothing anyone is happy about especially if you don’t know how to fight back against spam texts and protect your data and privacy.
This article talks about some effective strategies you can take to reduce and manage the spam targeting your phone.
1. Understand Anti-Spam Laws and Consumer Rights
You’ll have to familiarize yourself with laws related to spam texting to understand your consumer rights.
The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) prohibits most types of unsolicited automated texts without prior express consent. Marketers must provide an opt-out option.
There is also the CAN-SPAM Act that covers requirements for commercial emails and texts including clear opt-out mechanisms and contact information.
Know that marketing spammers are violating the law. You have grounds to report them to carriers and regulators like the FCC and FTC for investigation.
Also, be aware of potential phishing scams. Any message asking you to submit sensitive information should be flagged as suspicious.
Understand your legal protections so you can take action against illegal spammers.
2. Register Your Number on the National Do Not Call Registry
The National Do Not Call Registry allows you to formally opt out of sales calls and texts from legitimate marketers.
Registering your number blocks calls and texts from companies you haven’t done business with before. Political, charity, and survey calls may still get through.
It may take some days for registration to fully process. After that, you have grounds to report violators. However, scammers often ignore the list, so it isn’t foolproof.
3. Actively Block Numbers
Use call and text blocking features provided by your wireless carrier and smartphone to proactively block unwanted numbers.
Carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile let you block specific numbers or enable automatic spam detection and blocking.
On iPhones, enable ‘Silence Unknown Callers’ under Phone settings to automatically filter unknown callers and spam risks directly to voicemail.
On Androids, use a third-party spam call and text blocker app for expanded blocking capabilities.
Be vigilant in identifying and blocking new spam numbers as they contact you. The more preemptive blocks you set up, the less unwanted messages will disturb you.
4. Avoid Publishing Your Number Publicly
Be cautious about posting your phone number online in any public directories, listings, or forums. The more it’s out there, the more spammers can get access and target you.
Google your phone number and opt out of any public listings.
Also, avoid entering your number on suspect websites and pop-up forms that may seize it for spam lists. Be wary of marketing contests or giveaways requesting your number just for spam purposes.
5. Don’t Open Links From Unknown Senders
One of the most common spam text techniques is sending misleading links to phishing sites to harvest your personal data and login credentials.
Never open links in messages from numbers you don’t recognize.
Even if a link claims to be related to package tracking, account logins, or valuable offers, disregard it if the source seems suspicious.
Links can install malware or initiate complex phishing schemes aimed at identity theft. When in doubt, delete.
6. Use a Spam Filtering App
Robust spam filtering apps provide expanded capabilities to identify, block, and report junk texts automatically.
You can also leverage community spam reporting combined with AI to build large block lists.
Filtering apps allow you to collect new spam numbers easily to continuously train the algorithms and improve detection.
Many offer unlimited blocking, global spam databases, auto-replies, and the ability to report texts directly from your phone. Run texts through a spam filter first before opening.
7. Report Illegal Spammers
Don’t just ignore spam texts – report illegal senders to help curb the problem at its source. When you receive a spam marketing text, document the phone number, content, time, and your phone carrier.
File complaints with the FCC, FTC, or carrier providers to potentially trigger investigations and enforcement actions.
FCC complaints can be submitted through their consumer help center. You can report phone number spam directly from a linked iPhone or Android.
The more violations reported, the more pressure regulators can apply to deter large-scale spam texting operations.
8. Set Phone Spam Preferences
Both Apple and Google provide settings to limit some spam risks in Messages and Phone apps.
In iPhone settings, disable ‘Allow Unknown Senders’ so texts from unknown senders go to a separate list rather than your main inbox.
For Android phones, disable ‘Chat features’ to remove risks of Google Chat phishing links being enabled automatically.
Review other message settings that may reduce spam risks depending on your specific device and carrier.
Bottom Line
It’s true putting up with spam texts feels unavoidable these days.
However, following privacy best practices, installing blocking apps, reporting violators, and utilizing built-in phone preferences can help gain more control.
Stay vigilant in identifying and shutting down suspicious numbers and illegal actors.
With persistence, you can minimize disruptions from spam texts.
