Getting SPAM Texts? Forward them to 7726

The use of text messaging is a growing tool for marketers. Many texts are legitimate and originate from service providers you may have given your number to.  However, the number of SPAM text messages appears to be growing rapidly. According to the Federal Trade Commission, “It’s illegal to send unsolicited commercial messages to wireless devices, including cell phones and pagers, unless the sender gets your permission first.” The same would hold true for text messages that are sent from robo-callers.

If you’re receiving random messages from unknown numbers or entities it is probably illegal SPAM from someone phishing for information and trying to scam you. So, what can one do?

Report to your carrier

A little known service provided by most cell carriers is SPAM reporting. On an iPhone, select the spam message by holding it down with your finger. A menu will pop up. In the lower right, select More and then the arrow icon. This will create a new message that can be forwarded. On almost all carriers forward the message to 7726. Make sure to copy the phone number that send the message since an auto-reply may ask for it as well.  Why 7726? It spells SPAM.

Block numbers

On an iPhone, go to the offending text and press the “i” in the upper right-hand corner. That is where you will find the option to Block the number. There is no way for the robs-callers to know you’ve blocked them so they can send all the messages messages they want. There is one caveat. The blocked number can still leave a voicemail but you won’t receive a notification. You may notice voicemails piling up on you.

Resist the urge

You may feel the urge to reply to a SPAM text. Maybe you want to tell them how you feel. Maybe you love practical jokes and you want to mess around. Don’t.  Don’t even responding to their request that you reply “NO” to stop their messages. Engaging the sender in any way will make the problem worse.