How to block spam text messages on your phone?

In this day and age, when your contact number is no longer personal, you can also fall prey to multiple spam texts on your phone. These texts and their frequency are not just cumbersome but can also have malicious intent for hacking your phone and breaching your personal accounts using text messages as bait. We, at Airtel, want users to stay safe from such hackers and spammers. Hence, we have put together an explainer on what are spam texts and how you can filter and block spam texts on your phones easily. Keep reading to find out.

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Also read: What are the different UPI scams?

What are spam texts?

Spam texts, also known as SMS spam or text message spam, basically refer to unsolicited and unwanted messages one receives via text messaging platforms. These messages are typically sent to many recipients simultaneously without their consent. Spam texts are commonly used for fraudulent or malicious purposes, such as:

• Phishing: Spam texts may attempt to trick recipients into revealing personal information, such as usernames, passwords, or financial details. They often pose as legitimate organizations, such as banks or online services, and ask recipients to click on a link or provide sensitive information.
• Scams: Spam texts can promote various scams, including lottery scams, investment scams, job scams, or romance scams. They may promise unrealistic rewards or opportunities to deceive recipients into providing money or personal information.
• Advertising: Some spam texts are sent for marketing purposes, aiming to promote products, services, or websites. These messages may contain links to suspicious websites or encourage recipients to make purchases.
• Malware distribution: Spam texts may contain links to malicious websites or encourage recipients to download attachments that contain malware. Clicking on these links or downloading files can infect a recipient’s device with viruses, spyware, or other harmful software.
• Premium-rate scams: In some cases, spam texts may direct recipients to call or text premium-rate numbers, resulting in excessive charges on their phone bills. These scams exploit the recipient’s unawareness of the premium rate associated with the number.

Examples of spam texts

Keep in mind that the content and format of spam texts can vary, but here are a few examples:

1. Phishing Text:

“Dear customer, we have detected suspicious activity on your bank account. Please click the link below to verify your account details.”

2. Prize Scam:

“Congratulations! You have won a free trip to an exotic destination. Text ‘WIN’ to claim your prize.”

3. Job Scam:

“Earn $5000 a week working from home. No experience is required. Text ‘JOB’ for more information.”

4. Product Promotion:

“Get 50% off on all electronics at XYZ Store! Limited time offer. Text ‘DISCOUNT’ for details.”

5. Fake Charity:

“Support a good cause! Text ‘DONATE’ to contribute to our charity helping underprivileged children.”

6. Fake Delivery Notification:

“Your package is awaiting delivery. Click the link to reschedule or track your shipment.”

7. Loan or Financial Offer:

“Need quick cash? Get a loan with no credit check! Text ‘LOAN’ for instant approval.”

8. Lottery Scam:

“You’ve won $1 million in the Global Lottery! To claim your prize, reply with your personal information.”

It’s important to exercise caution when receiving text messages from unknown senders or those that seem suspicious. Avoid clicking on links or providing personal information unless you are certain of the sender’s legitimacy. Most mobile devices allow you to block or report spam texts to your service provider or use third-party apps to filter out such messages.

Read more: Avoid money transfer scams – Do’s and Don’ts

How to block spam texts?

Let’s look at the steps involved to block spam texts on Android phones and iPhones.

How to block spam texts for Android phones

To block spam texts on an Android device, you can follow these general steps:

• Locate and open the default messaging app on your Android device.
• Find the spam text message that you want to block from the list of conversations.
• Tap and hold the spam message until a menu appears.
• Look for options such as “Block,” “Block contact,” or “Spam.” Select the appropriate option to block the sender of the spam text.
• A confirmation dialog may appear, asking if you want to block the sender. Confirm your action by tapping “OK” or a similar option.

Some messaging apps allow you to report spam texts to your carrier or mark them as spam. Look for an option like “Report as spam” or “Mark as spam” in the menu or settings of the messaging app and follow the instructions.

NOTE: Remember that the exact steps to block spam texts may vary slightly depending on your Android device model and the messaging app you’re using. If you encounter any difficulties, consult your device’s user manual or visit the manufacturer’s support website for more specific instructions.

How to block spam texts for iPhone

To Block spam texts:

• Open the messaging app.
• Find the spam text and sender that you wish to block.
• Open the text and then tap on the name of the sender at the top.
• Tap on info.
• Select block this caller.
• Confirm by tapping on Block Contact.

Filter and block spam texts automatically:

• Open the settings app.
• Scroll down to find the messaging option. Tap on it.
• Now scroll again to find the ‘Unknown & Spam’ option. Tap on it.
• Toggle on for Filter unknown senders.
• Now all messages from people who are not in your contacts will be put into a separate list.

Also read: How to stop unwanted calls

How to stop spam text messages?

To stop spam texts, the process can vary depending on your specific device and messaging app. Here are some general methods that you can try:

Block the sender’s number:

Open the spam text message, locate the sender’s phone number or contact information, and find an option to block or blacklist the number. This option is usually available within the message thread or by tapping on the sender’s name.

Enable SMS filtering:

Some messaging apps and devices offer built-in SMS filtering options that can automatically detect and block spam texts. Check the settings of your messaging app or device to see if there are options for filtering or blocking spam messages.

Report the spam:

Many messaging apps and mobile devices allow you to report spam texts. Look for an option to report the message as spam, junk, or phishing. Reporting spam helps improve the overall spam detection and prevention systems.

Use third-party apps:

Consider using third-party apps specifically designed to block spam texts. These apps often have advanced spam detection and filtering capabilities. You can search for such apps in your device’s app store and choose one that suits your needs.

Contact your mobile carrier:

If you continue to receive persistent spam texts, you can reach out to your mobile carrier’s customer support and report the issue. They may have additional measures to help you block or filter spam messages.

Hope this explainer helps you in keeping yourself protected against spammers. Practice caution and keep your data safe.

Also read: Tired of Spam calls? Register your Mobile Number for DND today!