Your phone number isn’t as hidden as you think. Spammers can get a hold of it by browsing through your socials, buying stolen data, or acquiring it from data brokers and people search sites. They’ll then blast you with spam.
Spam text messages aren’t just annoying but also potentially dangerous. Here are a few ways to stop spam text messages on iPhones and Android devices:
- Block the spammer’s number in your device settings.
- Block the spammer’s number through your carrier.
- Use a VPN, like NordVPN, to encrypt your internet traffic and protect your phone number and other sensitive data.
- Remove your phone number from unused accounts.
- Remove your phone number from your socials and optimize your privacy settings.
- Remove your information from data brokers, and people search sites.
The last tip is important to prevent spam. We recommend Incogni to speed up the process. It will remove your phone number and other data from 180+ sites. And, it’s the cheapest data removal tool we’ve tested!
Check out the complete article below for more information about spam messages and how to block them.
Messaging has become an integral part of our lives. It’s how we stay in touch with family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances. Unfortunately, it’s also an easy way for scammers and spammers to target you.
Apart from being very annoying, these messages can also be dangerous and — in some jurisdictions — illegal. Threat actors may try to steal your personal information or install malware on your device through phishing messages.
There’s no magical solution to block all spam messages. However, there are ways to reduce the spam messages you receive. In this article, we’ll discuss how to block spam text messages and stop spam emails.
Why Are You Receiving Spam Messages?
The simple answer is that your phone number is not as hidden as you might think. Here are some ways spammers can get your phone number:
- Social media: Your socials might contain your phone number and other information that scammers can use to deliver spam messages and make their scams more convincing.
- Replying to spam messages: Responding to spam messages — even with a simple “STOP” — confirms your number is active. This is one way spammers gather phone numbers to deliver spam texts.
- Calling toll-free numbers: Some spam messages prompt you to call a toll-free number for prizes or offers. This exposes your number to scammers or marketers and leads to more spam.
- Data leaks and breaches: Cybercriminals can get their hands on your data by hacking websites or legitimate companies you’ve given your phone number.
- Data brokers and people search sites – Data brokers and people search sites collect your personal information and compile it into neat little profiles, which they either publish online or sell, potentially to spammers.
How to Block Spam Text Messages on iPhones
Apple provides various options to block spam messages on iPhone. Follow the steps below to stop spam texts on your iPhone.
How to block unwanted texts on iPhone
- Open the Messages app.
- Find the spam text and tap it to open it.
- Tap on the sender’s name or number at the top of the screen to reveal more options.
- In the contact information screen, tap on “Info.”
- Scroll down and tap “Block this Caller.”
- A confirmation prompt will appear. Confirm your decision to block the sender.
How to filter messages from unknown senders on iPhone
- Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down to “Messages.”
- Toggle on the switch next to “Filter Unknown Senders” to enable spam protection. This spam filter places messages from people who aren’t in your Contacts in a separate “Unknown Senders” tab within the Messages app.
How to unblock a number on your iPhone
If you accidentally block a number or change your mind about blocking one, you can easily unblock it. Here’s how:
- Open the Settings app.
- Depending on whether you blocked the number from contacting you via phone calls or text messages, select either “Phone” or “Messages.”
- Tap “Blocked Contacts.”
- Find the number you want to unblock, swipe left on it, and tap “Unblock.”
How to Block Spam Android Messages
Android users also have tools at their disposal to block junk messages. We’ll explore two common methods via Google Messages app and Phone app.
Below, you’ll find a quick step-by-step guide for both methods. The steps may vary slightly depending on your phone brand and model.
How to block spam texts through Google Messages
- Open Google Messages on your Android.
- Locate the spam text message from the sender you want to block and tap on it.
- Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner of the conversation to reveal more options.
- Select “Details” from the dropdown menu.
- Scroll down until you see the “Block & report spam” option and tap on it.
- A confirmation prompt will appear. Confirm your decision to block the sender.
How to block spam messages on Android through the Phone app
- Open the Phone app on your Android device.
- Tap on the “Recents” tab at the bottom to access your recent calls list.
- Locate the spam number that sent you unwanted text messages. You may need to scroll through your recent calls list.
- Tap on the spam number to open its details.
- Tap on “Block/report spam” to block the number and report it as spam.
- Confirm your decision to block the number.
How to unblock a number on Android
If you ever need to unblock a number, follow these steps:
- Open your Android device’s settings.
- Depending on your device and Android version, you may need to look for “Apps” or “Apps & Notifications.”
- Locate and select the messaging or phone app you used to block the number.
- Look for an “Advanced” option or “App Notifications” if you don’t see “Advanced.”
- You’ll find a list of blocked contacts. Tap on it.
- Find the number you want to unblock, tap on it, and unblock it.
How to Block Texts Through Your Carrier
You can also block text messages directly through your carrier. Even if you have already blocked spammers from your device, it’s advisable to do the same through your carrier for extra protection.
Here’s how to block spam text messages with some major carriers:
T-Mobile/Sprint:
- Go to https://account.t-mobile.com or open the My T-Mobile app on your device.
- Sign in to your T-Mobile or Sprint account with your username and password.
- Navigate to your account settings and look for options related to messaging or text message settings.
- Follow the prompts to enable message blocking or spam filtering.
Verizon:
- Go to https://www.verizonwireless.com/my-verizon/ or open the Verizon Smart Family app.
- Sign in to your Verizon account with your credentials.
- Navigate to your account settings and look for options related to messaging or spam controls.
- Follow the instructions to enable message blocking or spam filtering.
AT&T:
- Download and install the AT&T Active Armor app on the Google Play Store for Android devices or the App Store for iOS devices.
- Open the AT&T Active Armor app.
- Sign in with your AT&T account credentials.
- Look for settings related to message blocking, spam filtering, or call protection.
- Follow the in-app instructions to enable message blocking.
How to Identify a Spam Message
Besides learning how to block spam and scam text messages and emails, it’s important to know how to identify spam messages. There are some telltale signs that you can use to spot spam messages:
- Promises of cash prizes, free luxury items, gift cards, coupons, or other unlikely free items
- Offers of no-interest credit cards
- Promises to help you pay off your student loans or any other loans at unlikely low rates
- Warnings of suspicious activity within your bank account from a number you don’t recognize
- Notifications of transactions you haven’t completed and that aren’t visible in your online banking environment
- Invoices for products you don’t remember buying
- Urgent requests to hand over certain information or contact the sender of the spam message
How to Deal With Spam Texts
Here are some tips for dealing with annoying and potentially dangerous spammy messages.
- Never click on suspicious links in spam texts.
- Block the number the spammer used to contact you.
- Report the scammer’s phone number to your carrier.
- Consider using third-party spam protection or data removal apps like Incogni.
- Get on the Do Not Call Registry.
How to Keep Your Cell Phone Number Private
Blocking spammers can go a long way toward cleaning up your inbox. However, to prevent another onslaught of spam texts and emails, you’ll have to hide your phone number.
We readily give our phone numbers to people and businesses. This means your phone number is probably everywhere. Here are some steps you can take to keep your phone number as private as possible:
Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network)
Age-old cybersecurity tips, like using a VPN, can protect you from spammers and scammers. A VPN encrypts your internet connection and masks your IP address, hiding your online activities from prying eyes and enhancing your privacy.
Most websites are HTTPS-protected these days, meaning they encrypt your data. However, there are still some websites around that use the unsecured, non-encrypted HTTP protocol. In this case, a VPN’s encryption is vital to protect personal info, such as your phone number.
Moreover, hackers can easily intercept your data, such as your contact details, if you’re on an unsecured public Wi-Fi network without encrypting your data. For these reasons, a VPN is indispensable to keep your phone number and other data private.
We recommend NordVPN. This is our number 1 VPN, thanks to its military-grade encryption and other security features, like its kill switch and double VPN feature.
Remove your phone number from unused accounts
Do you have old accounts that you aren’t using anymore? Whether it’s an old email, shopping account, or social media page, these accounts contain your data. And the fact you’re not using them anymore doesn’t make them immune to hacking, data breaches, or irresponsible use of your data.
That’s why we recommend removing your data from all unused accounts and closing them. Don’t remember which accounts you’ve opened in the past? Try looking through your inbox for clues. Search for keywords such as “welcome” or “thanks for joining” to bring up records.
Remove your phone number from social media and optimize your privacy settings
Next, you’ll want to clean up your active social media profiles. If you can remove your phone number, do so. It’s better to use a throwaway or masked email to sign up when you can. This way, you’ll not receive spam emails.
If removing your phone number is impossible, at least make it private so strangers won’t see it. Be sure to check out our in-depth articles about how to adjust your privacy settings on different social media platforms:
- Facebook Privacy Settings: The Ultimate Guide
- Instagram Privacy Settings: How to Secure Your Account
- How to Improve Your Twitter Privacy Settings
- How to Manage Your LinkedIn Privacy Settings & Secure Your Account
- How to Change Your WhatsApp Privacy Settings
Remove yourself from data broker lists and people search sites
We’ve already explained how data brokers and people search sites collect and spread your personal information online. Almost anyone, including marketers and fraudsters, can buy your data from these companies.
Thankfully, depending on where you live, there are data privacy laws that give you the right to request data removal. However, finding every data broker or site that has your phone number and contacting them is tedious, to say the least.
Instead of spending hours or even days getting your phone number and data removed, you can also use a data removal service. These services contact hundreds of data brokers on your behalf to get your data removed from them.
One of our favorite data removal tools is Incogni. It’s one of the cheapest data removal tools and can remove your phone number and other information from over 180 websites!
Conclusion: How to Stop Spam Text Messages
There are several ways to block text messages that are unwanted or spammy, such as blocking a phone number through your device or carrier. However, spammers are known to change numbers frequently, so you’ll start getting spam texts soon enough.
Therefore, in addition to blocking spam numbers on your phone and through your carrier, we recommend removing your phone number from your (old) accounts, optimizing your social media’s privacy settings, and getting your phone number wiped from data broker lists and people search sites.
One of the best ways to do this is using a data removal tool like Incogni. It removes your data from dozens of websites and saves you a lot of headaches.
For more tips on how to stay safe online and protect your privacy, check out the articles below.
- How to Browse the Internet Anonymously: Tips to Stay Private
- How to Delete Yourself From the Internet
- How to Hide or Change Your IP Address
- How to Call and Text Anonymously
- How to Delete Your Gmail And Google Account Permanently
Do you have a specific question about how to block spam texts? Check out our FAQ below to see if we’ve answered your question. If we haven’t, feel free to comment below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
The best way to stop receiving spam texts from a specific phone number is to block the number. However, if you want to avoid receiving loads of spam, to begin with, you’ll have to make your number hard to find for spammers and scammers. A great way to do this is by deleting your phone number and other data from people search sites with tools like Incogni. Check out our Incogni review to learn more about this data removal tool.
There are different ways spammers can use to get a hold of your number. However, if you’re suddenly getting way more spam texts than usual, one of the following two things has likely happened:
- A legitimate platform or website with your number has experienced a data breach.
- An irresponsible or unethical data broker has sold or published your data, including your phone number.
Scammers generally only obtain the information you give them unless they manage to install malware on your device or gain access through remote access software. When you reply to a spam text, you’re letting scammers know your phone number is active, which will likely result in tons of spam.
