27 December 2024

Stopping Annoying SPAM Text Messages

By Ronald Smith

Today, let’s talk about a common problem that frustrates many of us: those irritating SPAM text messages that seem to pop up out of nowhere. You know the ones I’m talking about – those unwanted texts that clog up your phone and leave you feeling annoyed and exasperated. But worry not, my friend, because I’m here to help you put an end to this madness!

So, how can we stop these pesky SPAM texts from invading our personal space? Well, let’s start with some simple steps that you can take to protect yourself from these unwanted intrusions. Trust me, you’ll breathe a sigh of relief once you learn how to combat this nuisance.

Taking Control

First things first, my friend – you need to guard your personal information like a fierce warrior protects their treasure. You see, these sneaky SPAMmers often get hold of your digits by tricking you into giving away your details. I know, it’s not fair, but together we can foil their plans!

Here’s what you can do:

  • Never, and I mean NEVER, reply to any SPAM texts you receive. By doing so, you are signaling to the SPAMmer that your number is active, and they will continue to pester you. Stay strong and don’t bite the bait!
  • Avoid clicking on any links or downloading any attachments that come with these suspicious messages. They could contain harmful stuff, and we definitely don’t want that on our devices.
  • Be selective about who you give your phone number to. Only share it with trusted sources, like friends, family, and reputable businesses. This way, you’ll minimize the chances of your number falling into the wrong hands.

Blocking the SPAM

Now that we’ve taken some proactive steps to shield ourselves, let’s turn our attention to blocking these SPAM texts altogether. Oh, sweet relief!

Here are a few nifty ways to block those annoying messages:

  • Most smartphones have built-in features that allow you to block specific phone numbers from reaching you. Go ahead and explore the settings on your device to find this magical feature. Trust me, it’s worth the effort!
  • If you’re receiving SPAM texts from a specific short code (those five or six-digit numbers), you can contact your mobile service provider and report the issue. They’ll be able to take further action to help keep those texts at bay.
  • Consider installing a trusted third-party app that specializes in blocking SPAM texts. These apps are designed to identify and filter out those unwanted messages, making your life a whole lot easier.

Reporting the Offenders

Now, sometimes we need to enlist the help of those who are experts in dealing with these nuisances. Reporting the offenders is a great way to put a stop to their shady practices and protect others from falling victim to their schemes.

Here’s what you can do:

  • Forward the SPAM text to your mobile service provider. They have dedicated channels for reporting these messages, and they’ll take it from there.
  • If you’re in the United States, you can also report the SPAM texts to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). They keep an eye on these things and take action against the culprits.

Remember, my friend, we have the power to combat these SPAM texts and reclaim our peace of mind. By following these simple steps, you can say goodbye to those annoying messages once and for all. Stay vigilant and keep those SPAM texts at bay!

Stopping Annoying SPAM Text Messages

Listen up, folks. I’m about to drop some knowledge on SPAM text messages. And the golden rule is this: Do not respond. Like, not at all.

We’re all aware of these annoying SPAM texts. Basically, they’re messages from someone pretending to be something they’re not.

We’ve all been there. You know the drill: Congratulations! You’ve won! Your package is on its way! The IRS needs to talk to you! Hey, here’s a refund coming your way! But let me tell you, if these offers sound too good to be true…

Our natural instinct is to take action. We want to reply or click on a link in hopes of stopping the never-ending texts. But guess what? That’s a terrible idea.

Here’s why: simply responding to a SPAM text confirms to the sender that it reached a real human being. And once they know that, prepare for a flood of more of these pesky messages.

When you respond to SPAM text messages, you’re not only dealing with an annoyance, but you’re also opening the door for trouble. Replying to these messages can give spammers or preprogrammed malware access to your phone, putting your personal information at risk.

What exactly is a SPAM Text? And what is Phishing?

To put it simply, a SPAM text is a message sent by someone or something that isn’t what it appears to be.

They can take on different disguises, like what we call Phishing messages. Phishing messages try to deceive you by pretending to be from a trusted source.

It’s kind of like fishing with a lure. The message or email may look like something familiar, but it’s not. It’s designed to trick you into giving away your personal information.

Did you know that sometimes bad guys try to trick us by pretending to be something interesting? They might send us an email or message with a link or attachment that looks exciting, but it could actually be a trap. This trick is called Click Bait and it often contains dangerous software called malware.

Do you know how SPAM got its name?

Back in the 80s and 90s, people used to hang out in chat rooms. If someone wanted to annoy others, they would keep typing the word Spam over and over again.

Can we stop getting those annoying SPAM texts?

Definitely! There are a few ways to put a stop to those pesky SPAM messages, but the methods are a bit different depending on whether you have an iPhone or an Android phone. No one wants to deal with tons of junk in their phone inbox, right? Here’s a simple guide to help you block those messages on both types of phones:

Blocking SPAM Messages on Apple iPhone (iPAD, iPod touch)

    To block unwanted text messages on iPhone, here’s what you can do:

    1. Tap the information (i) icon.

    2. Look for the number from the recent senders.

    3. Choose that number.

    4. Choose Block this Caller.

    And to block spam texts on Android, follow these steps:

    1. Go to the Phone icon and tap on it. The icon looks like a little receiver.

    2. Go to call history to look for the number.

    3. Tap on the number for the senders in the call history that you want to block.

    4. Tap the Block Sender icon.

    Additionally, you can take proactive measures by blocking unknown callers. But beware, this can be risky. If you do this, it means that you won’t receive text messages from anyone who is not in your contacts or has not texted you before. You won’t get a message from any new sender.

    If you want to stop unknown callers or scammers from bothering you, just follow these simple steps on your phone. First, find the phone icon on your mobile device and tap on it. Then, go to the Settings option. Look for the option called Block Unknown Callers and select it. This will help you block any unwanted calls from unknown numbers.

    How to Prevent SPAM Texts from Different Phone Numbers?

    There are several ways to stop receiving SPAM texts on your iPhone, Android, or any other type of phone. Here are some effective methods to block messages from different numbers:

    Never Respond to a SPAM Text Message

    Remember, it’s best not to reply to any SPAM text messages. If you respond, you might end up with malware on your phone, which can cause harm. Moreover, you may unknowingly give personal information to a scammer who wants to steal it. The Federal Trade Commission strongly recommends following this advice!

    Avoid Clicking on Links in SPAM Messages

    When you receive a message from someone you don’t know, remember this: never ever click on any links in that message. That’s where all the bad stuff hides.

    Now, I get it, sometimes those links can be very tempting. They might even say something like click here to remove yourself from our contact list. It seems like the easiest thing to do, right?

    But let me tell you, don’t do it. Instead, let me show you a better way to handle this.

    Report SPAM Messages to 7726

    Have you ever wondered why the number 7726 is important? Well, it’s because those numbers spell out the word SPAM. Pretty clever, huh?

    Now, here’s what you need to do. Instead of replying to the text message, contact your cell carrier and forward that number to 7726. And guess what? Your carrier won’t charge you a single penny for this service. They want to stop unwanted text messages just as much as you do. Cool, right?

    Here’s what you need to do if you have Verizon, ATT, Sprint, T-Mobile, or any other carrier:

  1. Hold down on the text until a screen with options pops up.
  2. Tap the Forward button.
  3. Type in the recipient name, which should be 7726.
  4. Tap the send button.

Get an Anti-SPAM App

Whether you have an iPhone or an Android phone, there are apps you can download to stop unwanted messages. Some of these apps are free, while others require a payment. You can find a spam-blocking app for any type of phone.

These apps provide a strong defense against receiving unwanted text messages, including those from robots and automated calls.

If you’re tired of all those annoying junk messages, I’ve got some great news for you! There are these awesome blocking apps that can help you get rid of them. These apps are designed to block not only robotexts, but also spam calls, robocalls, and other telemarketing calls.

There are several apps available, such as Truecaller, YouMail, Nomorobo, Robokiller, and more. By downloading one of these apps, you can make it much harder for spammers to reach you.

You can easily find and download these apps from your phone’s app store or Google Play.

Put Your Phone Number on the Do Not Call Registry

So, let me tell you something frustrating. You’ve already added your number to the Do Not Call Registry, right? But guess what? You’re still receiving calls. What’s the deal with that?

Well, here’s the thing about the Do Not Call Registry. It’s great, don’t get me wrong. But it can only stop sales calls. It can’t do anything about those other annoying calls.

Did you know that even though you may still receive political calls, debt relief service calls (but only if you actually owe debt), survey calls, informational calls, and calls from charitable organizations, it’s still worth it to add your number to the registry to stop sales calls?

But that’s not all. You can also use caller ID to avoid answering unwanted calls from unknown numbers. And what’s even better is using the best call blocker you can find! See, every time you pick up a robocall, they know your number belongs to a real person. So, be sure to let your phone company know if you’re bombarded with unwanted calls!

More Tips to Stop SPAM Text Messages and Calls

Protect Your Personal Details

Here’s a big tip: Legitimate companies don’t ask for information through text messages. So, always be careful and protect your personal details!

If you remember this important tip, you won’t get tricked by scammers. Never share your email address, bank details, or work information.

A Phishing text or email might seem genuine when it arrives in your inbox. It could even appear completely reasonable. For example, it might mention that your grandchild is traveling the world or that your friend is going through a tough health situation.

So, when you receive a message asking for help, it might seem believable. You might want to assist. But don’t fall for lines like I’m in prison and need money or please text me back, I can’t take phone calls right now.

Check your Phone Bill and Bank Statements for any Suspicious Activity

If you’re like me, you might have a habit of putting your phone bills or bank statements in a pile to deal with later. But let me tell you, that’s a big mistake! According to USA Today, if you don’t pay attention to these documents, fraud could be happening right under your nose without you even knowing it. And the worst part? It could go on for months!

So, what exactly is phishing?

Phishing is when someone tries to trick you by pretending to be someone you trust. They might send you an email or a message that looks like it’s from your bank, for example.

Their goal is to get your personal information, like your passwords or credit card numbers. Sometimes, they even try to infect your computer with viruses or other harmful things through links or attachments.

  1. If you suspect phishing, go offline right away.
  2. Use a different computer to change your usernames and passwords.
  3. And do it quickly!

Hey, did you know that social media phishing is a real problem? It happens all the time! Sometimes, people pretend to be something they’re not to trick you. It could be a survey asking innocent questions like What street did you grow up on? or What’s your favorite pet’s name? or even Who’s your best friend?

Can you believe that the answers you give on these surveys might be the same answers you use to recover your passwords for important stuff like your bank or credit card accounts? It’s crazy, but hackers love these surveys! They’re just looking for a way to get into your accounts.

So, how do you know if a text is from a spammer?

  1. They promise you free gifts. Beware!
  2. They tempt you with free gift cards. Don’t fall for it!
  3. They claim you have a refund coming. Be skeptical!
  4. They pretend to be from the IRS, but they’re not. Don’t believe them!
  5. They say a family member or friend needs help. Check with them directly!
  6. They ask you to verify your bank information. Don’t share it!
  7. They want to verify your Cloud ID. Be careful!
  8. They say your package is pending delivery. Double-check before you click!

Important Notification: Fed EX or UPS is Trying to Contact You! (Track it Now!)

It seems like Fed EX or UPS has been trying to get in touch with you. Don’t worry, I’ve got a way for you to easily track it yourself!

  1. Jump onto their website and look for the tracking section. You can do this by typing in the URL provided in the message you received or by doing a quick search online for the company’s official website.
  2. Once you’re on their website, locate the tracking option. It may be called Track Package or something similar. Don’t worry, it should be pretty easy to find.
  3. Now, grab the tracking number that was provided in the message and enter it into the designated box.
  4. Click on the Track button and bam! You’ll be able to see the status and whereabouts of your package.

What’s the Deal with Spam Calls and How Do They Get My Number?

Have you ever wondered how those annoying spam calls manage to reach your phone? Well, here’s the scoop.

First things first, it’s possible that the spammers just randomly dialed your number using an autodialer. It’s like a game of chance, and unfortunately, you ended up as the chosen one this time.

But here’s the thing – companies that want to send spam messages have other sneaky ways of getting your number too. Let’s say you bought something online and agreed to receive updates about your order. By doing that, you unknowingly made your number available for them to use.

Once they have your phone number, these spammers can dig up even more information about you. They might find out where you live and even details about your family. It’s pretty creepy, right?

Luckily, I’ve got a solution for you. Consider getting a virtual phone that you only use for online ordering and similar activities. A virtual phone works through the power of the internet, making your location totally anonymous. You can receive voicemails and texts on it too, so you won’t miss out on anything important.