

Toggle the 'Enable spam protection switch' to turn this feature on.
#Spam texts android
On Android phones, navigate to the SMS inbox, tap the three dots at the top of the screen, open 'Settings' and then 'Spam Protection'. Within your messaging app, there should be a way to turn on spam protection. An iPhone operates similarly –with the text open, tap the number at the top, tap 'Info' and then 'Block this Caller'. Tap the three dots, then you should see an option for 'Details' and 'Block and Report Spam'. On an Android phone, while the settings vary, there is usually a three-dot menu at the upper right corner of the text message. Most mobile carriers offer a feature that lets you block phone numbers. (It's always worth checking your phone bills if you do happen to click on a link.) 3. Malware can steal your personal data, contact list and passwords, send texts to premium numbers and slow down device performance. You might end up on a fake website, or malware might be installed on your phone. Don't click linksĪvoid tapping on any links to check whether the sender is legit. Plus, it gives fraudsters an opening to start reeling you into their scam. If you do, this action shows that your number is active, and you'll probably get more text spam than ever. Next time you get a spam text from a business or person you don't know, the golden rule is don't interact with the message.ĭon't reply, not even with the word 'STOP'. If you're getting spam text messages, fear not there are plenty of ways to stop them. Many spam or scam texts are sent randomly, using automated dialling software, until they reach their target – someone that interacts with the message and is one tap away from being scammed. Or that your personal data has been shared and sold by one business to another (always read the fine print in a company's privacy policy when you use their service). This can happen when you accidentally select an 'opt-in' checkbox when signing up for a new account.Īnother reason is that you shared your phone number with a business unwittingly (even if you didn't opt-in to SMS marketing) – e.g., when entering a competition.Ī further explanation might be that your mobile number is listed in a national phone number directory. One reason why you're getting spam text messages is that you opted into marketing texts without realising. A quick phone call to the business in question will put your mind at rest.
#Spam texts full
Step 2 – see if the included URL looks shady – if the full website address isn't in the link, it's probably not genuine.(Many large corporations tackle this by using Verified SMS). See the examples above and below claiming to be from Lloyds and HSBC banks. That said, plenty of text scams pretend to be big enterprises. Step 1 – check if there's a brand or company name included in the text – no name is an indicator of spam.
#Spam texts how to
How to recognise a spam textĪlthough scammers these days are very creative with their text message content, you can usually spot whether your texts are legit or not. Each of those apps will have access to some of your personal data – data that could be accessible to a con artist if you click a scam link. Think about how many apps you have on your smartphone right now. Scammers can do this because our phones aren't entirely secure. Or worse – they're trying to empty your bank account. They aim to trick you into tapping a dodgy link that could infect your device with malware or access your personal data.
#Spam texts free
Some text scams can be very convincing, looking like they've been sent from your bank or service provider – perhaps offering free gifts or another incentive. Marketing spam texts (junk messages) are really irritating, but it's the fraudulent texts that present a real worry.

Usually, spam text messages are sent from a computer via an email or messaging app, not another mobile device. It could be a marketing text you didn't ask for or a phishing text where some fraudster is trying to scam you. What are spam text messages?Īny type of unsolicited or unwanted text message is classed as spam. But first, let's just define what spam texts are. If you're despairing over spam messages, the good news is that there are several ways you can stop them, as we outline in this article. Spam texts are so common (Americans alone receive 16.9 spam texts a month) that you wouldn't think they're illegal. Spam text messages are one of life's great annoyances they're right up there with spam calls.
