![]() ![]() On the following screen, select Block & report spam followed by OK. If you're using Google's Messages app, start by opening the spam message, then tapping on the menu button in the top-right corner and selecting Details from the list of options. Android usersĪs is usually the case with Android phones, the process to block a number will vary depending on who makes your phone and which message app you're using. IOS users can also filter out unknown senders to automatically sort through unknown numbers by toggling on the Filter Unknown Senders in your settings for Messages. Google Messages will take extra steps to analyze and identify spam. On the next screen, tap on the phone number, followed by Block this Caller at the bottom of the next screen.įollowing those steps will block the number from both messaging and calling you. On an iPhone, open the message in the Messages app and tap on the profile photo at the top, then tap on the Info button. Both iOS and Android have built-in tools to block messages and calls from specific numbers. Use your phone's built-in blocking toolĪnother option is to block the number yourself. Some carriers, such as Sprint, will even block the number from messaging you after you've reported it. You may receive a follow-up message after reporting a message, asking for more information or to confirm the number the original message was sent from. ![]() If you can't verify who sent a message, or it's clearly a scam, you can forward the message to 7726 (it spells "spam" on a phone's keypad).ĪT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon all accept spam reports through this number. If you verify that a number is valid, reply with STOP to remove yourself from their distribution list. Indeed, the number I received the message from matched a number Comcast lists on its support page. I verified Comcast's number, for example, by searching for "text from 266278" after receiving a message a few weeks ago asking if I wanted updates about an outage in my area. Instead of quickly replying STOP to an unsolicited message, take a few seconds to look up the number online to see if a recognized organization or business uses it for text messages. One common method of opting out of receiving non-nefarious spam texts (like that restaurant offering the free milkshake) is to reply to the message with "STOP." It can be a quick and easy way to end messages from everything from a political campaign to your internet service provider.īut scammers use this same tool to trick you into replying to their messages, in turn letting them know that your phone number is valid and one they can target with more messages or robocalls. ![]() Scary stuff.ĭon't click on links in spam messages, and do some research before replying 'stop.' The site looks real and even redirects to the official Verizon site after the nefarious actors have taken your account credentials. Look at this fake Verizon site that was being used in phishing attempts, as covered by How To Geek. ![]() If you happen to open it, do not enter any account details or personal information. If you receive an unexpected message that includes a link, do not open it. The object is to collect your username, password and other personal information for future use. The link then takes you to a site that may look real, but is actually fake. They'll send messages that appear to be from a legitimate company, such as your wireless carrier, bank or medical facility, and include a link asking you to verify your account information. Thanks to your support, we convinced the government to lower the threshold for the ICO to take action against cold calling firms and new regulations to let Ofcom and the ICO share information on rogue companies.įind more out about our Calling Time campaign and sign up to our emails to help us win our next campaign.Scammers are tricky. We called for a tough new approach from government, with regulators given new powers to police and punish companies that break the rules. We campaigned to call time on nuisance calls & texts. Services include caller display, which shows you the number of the person calling incoming call blocking, which prevents selected numbers from getting through and last caller identification - or 1471.įor more information on the different types of services available, take a look at Ofcom's guide on phone company services. Some of these services are free, and for some of them, monthly charges can apply and may vary depending on what package you have signed up to. Phone companies offer a number of services that can help protect against nuisance calls. There are steps you can take to stop receiving spam text messages. Sending nuisance text messages is illegal so if you're receiving spam texts you should also report this to the ICO. Spam text messaging is also on the increase especially messages about debt management, accident claims and mis-sold Payment Protection Insurance (PPI). ![]()
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