Texting is a convenient method of communication. But, like any other form of sending and receiving messages, scammers have learned to use it to their advantage.
If you’ve received a spam text message, you’re not alone. Americans received more than 78 billion spam texts midway through 2023, up 18% from the year before. In addition, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) received about 189,000 text spam complaints in 2022 – up 153,000 from 2021.
Knowing how to deal with spam texts effectively stops this annoying – and illegal – activity. Thankfully, there are four simple ways to end spam texts. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to report spam texts so your mobile phone stays uncluttered and junk-free.
Table of Contents
What is a Spam Text?
A spam text is any unwanted text message from an unknown sender. Apart from being annoying, it could also be from someone trying to steal your personal information (phishing).
Common spam text message examples include:
- Mass ads
- Fake package delivery notifications
- Questionable “special offers,” like low-interest credit cards
- Notifications that you’ve won a contest you never entered
- Messages from the IRS, other government entities or financial institutions asking you to verify information. Government agencies will not initiate contact by phone or text and demand immediate payment.
- “Suspicious activity” notifications
4 Ways to Report Spam Text Messages
If you think that you received a spam text, here are four simple ways that you can report it:
Method 1: Forward the Unwanted Messages to 7726
The Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA) has designated a number – 7726 (which spells SPAM) – to report spam text messages. Most major carriers in the United States are members of the GSMA, meaning you can use one of two methods to report spam texts to 7726: the forward method or the copy/paste method. Even if you don’t have unlimited texting, this will not count against your plan.
How to Forward a Spam Text on an iPhone
Here’s how to report a spam text message to 7726.
Forward Method (fastest way)
The fastest (and easiest) way to report a spam text is to forward it to 7726. Here’s how to do it on an iPhone:
- Open the spam message.
- Long-press (touch and hold) the message and select “More.”
- Click the curved blue arrow on the bottom right of the screen.
- Type 7726 in the “To” field, then press the arrow in the bottom right corner of the text dialog box to send the text.
- After sending the spam text, you may get a response from 7726 asking you for the phone number that sent the unwanted text. Simply respond with the number that sent you the spam text.
Copy/Paste Method
- Open the spam message.
- Long-press the message and select “Copy.”
- Exit the message screen by clicking the arrow on the top left of the screen.
- Click the new message square in the upper right of your screen.
- Click the text dialog box. Long-press and select “Paste.”
- Type 7726 in the “To” field, and send the text message.
- After sending the spam text, you may get a response from 7726 asking you for the phone number that sent the unwanted text. Simply respond with the number that sent you the spam text.
How to Forward a Spam Text on an Android Phone
The process for Android users varies slightly by hardware and SMS app. Still, you must follow these steps to report spam text messages to 7726:
- Long-press the spam text.
- Select the “Forward” option.
- Your message will appear as a new text. Type 7726 in the contact box and click “Send.”
- You’ll get a response from 7726 asking you for the phone number that sent the unwanted text. Respond with the number that sent you the spam text.
Method 2: Report Unwanted Texts to the FTC and FCC
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) helps monitor and enforce laws that protect the public from spam texts. Reporting a spam text message to the FTC helps protect you and other mobile users by bringing spam and poor business practices to light. Here’s how:
- Navigate to the FTC's Fraud Reporting Website.
- Click the blue button that says “Report Now.”
- You’ll be prompted to answer a series of questions. Choose the options that best reflect the message you received.
- Submit the form. Once the FTC has received your complaint, they will investigate and take action as needed to ensure the safety and security of mobile users.
You can also file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) if you have received an unwanted commercial text message or any autodialed text message that you did not consent to. While the FCC doesn’t resolve individual unwanted text complaints, providing information about a spam text that you have received provides valuable information that is used to inform policy decisions. To file a complaint, fill out the form on the FCC’s Consumer Inquiries and Complaint Center. Simply follow the prompts and click “Submit.”
Method 3: Add Your Number to the Do Not Call Registry
To stop unwanted text messages and telemarketing calls completely, you can add yourself to the FTC’s Do Not Call Registry. It is free to register, and you can do so in just a few short steps. Here’s how:
- Navigate to the National Do Not Call Registry website.
- Click “Register Your Phone.”
- Click “Verify Here” to check if you have previously registered your phone number, or click “Register Here” to add your number to the Do Not Call Registry.
- Follow the steps as prompted. You’ll need to enter and confirm the phone number you’d like to add to the list and enter your email address.
- Click “Register.”
Method 4: Block or Report Spam on Your Phone
You can also filter and block text messages through the call-blocking feature on your phone’s messaging app:
How to Filter and Block Spam Text Messages on an Apple Device
When you receive a spam text on an Apple device, you have two options: you can report the spam text as junk or block the contact that sent you the spam message.
Here’s how to report a text message as junk:
- Open iMessage and select the conversation you wish to report.
- Underneath the text message, you’ll see text that says “This sender is not in your contact list.” Under that, there’s blue text that says “Report Junk.”
- When you click “Report Junk,” a popup will appear at the bottom of your screen that says “Delete and Report Junk.” Press this button.
And here’s how to block a contact that you do not wish to receive messages from:
- Open iMessage and select the message sent by the user you’d like to report.
- Tap the contact at the top of the screen.
- At the bottom of the screen, there is a button that says “Block this Caller.” Click the button to block the contact.
How to Block and Report Spam Text Messages on an Android
If you use an Android device, you can block and report spam texts. To block and report spam, follow these steps:
- Open the Messages app.
- Select and hold down the message you’d like to report.
- Hit “Block” and then “Report Spam.” Press “OK” to confirm your request.
Spam Texting DOs and DON’Ts
Before you report spam text messages, there are a few things that you should keep in mind:
- DO review unfamiliar texts for signs of spam, like questionable offers or urgent requests for action or payment.
- DON’T reply to any suspicious texts. Once a scammer knows your number is legitimate, they'll bombard you with more spammy messages.
- DO respond to texts that you’ve opted in to. Text messages from a business or messages related to fundraising or political surveys are not spam.
- DON’T click on a link in a spam text. You’ll often be asked to provide personal information – exactly what spammers need to pester you, hack into your accounts, steal your identity or install malware on your phone.
- DON’T be a spammer yourself! Spam text messages are a legal no-no. According to the FTC, sending unsolicited commercial messages is illegal unless you receive permission first. If you send messages from an auto-dialer that randomly selects phone numbers, that’s spam, too.
- DO follow the above steps to report spam text messages. Knowing how to report spam text messages is critical in stopping criminal behavior.
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