How to STOP Robocalls and Spam Texts. It’s maddening! Whether you have a cell phone or landline, you will receive robocalls and spam texts ALL times of the day. I’m actually getting more spam texts than I am robocalls!
Recently RoboKiller, an anti-spam app, estimated that Americans were subjected to 86 BILLION spam texts in 2021, costing $101 million. This figures to around 261 messages per American user.
And it’s only going to get worse. You will be receiving even more scam calls and texts in the next year. So how can you combat this onslaught of calls and texts?
DO NOT INTERACT!
Oh, I know it’s hard to do, and you really want to tell them off – you know they are a scam but fight your urge to do that. If you pick up or text back “STOP”, “UNSUBSCRIBE,” or even “CANCEL”, you are letting the scammer know your number is active, and they will send you even more scamming calls and/or text messages. In fact, then they may even SELL your number to other scammers. Oh, great.
If you receive a text message asking you to click a link, you could be opening malware on your phone or computer, and that in itself is a HUGE (HUGE) headache.
Being a real estate agent makes us easy targets because we receive texts and phone calls all the time from people we don’t know. In fact, I receive texts which look innocent enough asking to see a property. However, instead of typing what address they are or an image, they include a link to the property in question. I have never clicked on the link because that seems suspicious in the first place. But I do respond just in case it’s a real question asking them to type in the address because I can’t open the link. I have never received a response.
Don’t Share Your Phone Number
Many companies ask for your phone number, but it’s not required if you notice. So don’t share it.
BLOCK SENDERS!
When you receive a call or even a text you know is a scam/spam, block it on your phone. Norton explains how to do it:
- “For Android phones, look for the three dots in the top right-hand corner of your text. Click on it and select ‘People’ and ‘Options.’ Next, select ‘Block’ to stop receiving spam text messages from that number.
- For iPhones, click on the ‘i’ in the top right-hand corner of the spam text. Next, click on the number and select ‘Block.'”
Blocked numbers may still be able to leave you messages, but when you playback the voicemail, you will know it’s a scam.
Contact Your Phone Provider
According to MoneyTalksNews, “AT&T, Verizon Wireless and T-Mobile all use the number 7726 (SPAM) to inform their spam prevention efforts. Therefore, any texts you forward to that number are free and will not count against your text plan.
To forward a message, tap and hold on it (being careful not to tap on any links it contains) and look for a menu option to “Forward Message” or the symbol for forwarding, a curved arrow pointing to the right.”
Use Your Phone’s Spam Filters
Whether you’re using an Android or iPhone, you should have some kind of spam filter.
Here are iPhone instructions for filtering messages from unknown senders, and here are Android instructions for turning spam protection on, although it should be on by default.
Try a Third-Party App
You can purchase apps to help you block scam calls and phone numbers.
Below are just a few:
The internet and dialing companies have made it almost impossible to stop these calls and texts. For every one call/text you’re blocking, 30 more are headed your way. Being aware is most important, and with these steps may stop some calls/texts from popping up on your phone.
One number you don’t have to worry about is mine. You know when I call, it’s legit and full of great information and perhaps to see how you’re doing!