Spam texts are common and can be very annoying. They often come from unknown numbers or may disguise themselves as texts from a familiar sender. Spam text messages can contain malicious links or phishing scams that could compromise your personal information. Even iPhone users are not safe from receiving spam text messages despite having the robust security of the iOS platform.
Many types of spam messages are challenging to block. Spammers use various numbers to keep sending messages to trigger a response from receivers. How these spammers get your number varies, but it could be from an online form you signed up for or even contact lists sold to them. Fortunately, Apple has an ingenious solution to separate these messages from your primary iMessage inbox to reduce the disturbance they can cause.
Here are the steps to block spam text messages on iPhone
1. Go to Settings and Then Click Messages
The first step is to open your iPhone and go to settings. Click Messages.
2. Toggle on Filter for Unknown Senders
From the Messages tab, scroll down to Message Filtering. Find and toggle on Filter Unknown Senders. You must know that turning this feature on will separate all messages from numbers that are not registered or saved in your contacts.
3. Switch Between Known and Unknown Senders in Messages
Next, open the Messages app. Choose Known Senders to only have visibility into messages from your contacts. You’ll be able to decide what messages you’d like to view.
If you want to see messages from unknown numbers or companies like banks, click Unknown Senders. It will also display any important SMS notifications that come your way – like a verification code. To view every message in one place, select All Messages.
4. Disable the notifications for Unknown Senders
You’ll want to block notifications from unknown sources to complete the process. It will ensure that messages don’t appear on your lock or home screen and disturb you. Head into your Settings app, then tap Notifications. Scroll down until you come across Messages, and select Customize Notifications. Lastly, toggle off Unknown Senders under Allow Notifications heading, and all is done.
What Is a Spam Text Message?
Spam text messages are unsolicited and unwanted texts mobile phone users commonly receive. These messages can be anything from promotional offers to malicious scams to steal personal information. Spam texts don’t typically originate from another phone but are dispatched through an email address or instant messaging account. Owing to scammers’ ease of sending them online, they generally cost very little and can be sent in bulk quickly.
Spam texting is a numbers game for spammers. These messages are sent in bulk to randomly chosen or purchased numbers to gather a few responses and make money. Sometimes, they might be legitimate offers or notifications from companies you must sign up for. Still, they’ll often contain malicious links to fake websites that could harm your personal information or computer.
From 2020 to 2021, an increase of almost 58% of spam texts was sent in the United States. Around 16.9 spam texts were received by Americans per month, and it increased to 41 spam messages in a month. Don’t feel embarrassed if you fall victim to a spam attack. As of 2021, an alarming one in three Americans have experienced the same circumstances, and shockingly only 35% are aware they are being targeted by scam text messages.
Why I Keep Receiving Spam Text Messages on iPhone?
Spammers have numerous tactics for obtaining your cell phone number and flooding you with unsolicited SMS spam, sales texts, and other annoying messages. Here are some reasons you are receiving spam text messages on your iPhone.
- Even the latest phone numbers are not immune to spam texts, as technology allows spammers to generate many random numbers quickly.
- Popular social media sites may be selling off your data without realizing it. They harvest the details of your online activities and then hand them over to advertisers, which can leave your personal information vulnerable on the open market. Even something as simple as listing out a phone number is not safe – there’s an elevated chance that this will end up in various marketing databases if exposed on these networks.
- There are numerous situations in which a person may enter their mobile number online, such as entering competitions and subscribing to newsletters and loyalty programs. However, when we provide our phone numbers online, there is an inherent risk of them falling into malicious hands.
- You may have encountered numbers with 800, 888, or 900 prefixes in the United States. Such phone calls are routed through an Automatic Number Identification (ANI) system, which records and stores your cell phone number for future use. As if that wasn’t enough, ANI systems can also match this stored data to other digital information linked to you.
If you mistakenly responded to a spam text message, your phone number could be identified as valid and sold off to other spammers. It means you are more likely to receive even more unwanted messages and SMS spam in the future.
What Are the Spam Text Message Examples on iPhone?
Engaging with spam texts can have expensive consequences if you’re not careful. But how do you distinguish a real message from a fake one? While some fraudulent messages imitate the wording and offers of promotional texts, others replicate mass texting services or delivery confirmations. To be on the safe side, always double-check any links provided in SMSes before clicking them!
Knowing what spam text looks like can help you identify and prevent them from appearing in your inbox. Here are some typical examples:
- Congratulations! You have earned a reward that you can now use – a voucher, gift card, or coupon.
- You can take advantage of a low or no-interest credit card!
- You are owed a reimbursement, potentially from the IRS or HMRC, due to an erroneous charge.
- For your security, we have deactivated your account. Please take the necessary steps to reactivate it as soon as possible!
- Let’s make those student loans a thing of the past; get assistance now to help rid yourself of your debt.
- If your credit report has an unfavorable entry, you can have it eliminated for a small fee.
- We have noticed unusual activity on your account and need you to take additional steps to secure it.
- An issue has been detected with your payment details – please take action as soon as possible.
- You receive a notification alerting you of an approaching delivery; it inquires if you can reschedule your appointment or pay the fee for its arrival.
Usually, the scammers will ask for personal information like your bank account numbers or Social Security number to claim their prize. They may also request that you click on a link and log into a bogus website so they can steal your login credentials. Don’t fall victim to this scam; always double-check before providing information online.
Beware of hazardous SMS spam that can easily infiltrate your device and steal sensitive data without detection.
How to Identify a Spam Text Message on iPhone?
Scammers have become skilled at making scam text messages appear legitimate and use identity masking technology to alter caller IDs. It is what we call number spoofing. If you’re asking yourself how to spot a scam message, here are some telltale signs to look out for:
- Unexpected contact should raise a red flag. Think about how organizations usually reach out to you; if it’s through something other than text, double-check its legitimacy before providing personal or financial information. Remember that legitimate companies do not solicit confidential details via SMS without warning.
- An unprofessional message should be an instant red flag for any potential scam. Reputable organizations rarely make significant spelling or grammar mistakes in their customer correspondence. Pay close attention to errors, and you can easily avoid being duped by fraudsters.
- If you receive a message that does not apply, try asking yourself some questions. Was I expecting something like a package delivery? Did I enter any competitions for prizes? Is this gift card from somewhere that is familiar to me? It will help determine whether the message has relevance or if it could be potentially malicious.
If something looks too good to be true, it likely is. This concept applies equally to scams online and offline.
What Would I Do if I Received a Spam Text Message on iPhone?
Spam texts message on iPhones are annoying and often lead to serious security implications when you are not careful. If you receive a spam message, the best thing to do is report it immediately. Here are the things you should do if you receive a spam text.
- Refrain from Replying – No matter how tempting the offer may seem, never reply to a spam text. Immediately delete the message and mark it as “spam” or “junk” in your settings so that any future messages from this sender will be automatically blocked.
- Do Not Click on Links – Spammers often send malicious links with their messages. Clicking on a link from within an unsolicited text may direct you to a phony website created to steal your money or personal information. Not only that, it can even cause malware to penetrate your phone and use up space in its memory, all while keeping tabs on each move you make. Be vigilant, and don’t get taken for a ride!
- Refrain from sharing confidential details– Be mindful of your personal data and exercise caution when disclosing information online. Remember, banks or government organizations would never ask for any financial or personal details through an unsolicited text message. If you ever receive a request asking you to ‘update’ or ‘verify’ account details, it is best to ignore it immediately.
- Visit the Company Website – If you need clarification on the authenticity of a text message, contact the relevant organization directly for confirmation. Utilize a search engine to access their website or type its URL into the address bar. Another option is to look up and call their phone number.
- Report the Spammer – If you’re receiving unsolicited text messages or spam, forward them to 7726 (this spells SPAM). Be sure the original number is visible. This reporting system applies mainly to major network providers and won’t cost you anything. You’ll likely receive an automated response with further instructions, if necessary, after your report has been sent successfully. Read more about how to report text spam.
How to Prevent Receiving Spam Text Messages on iPhone?
Enduring unwanted spam texts is no longer a problem with two easy solutions available – blocking numbers and using the iPhone’s built-in spam filter.
Blocking numbers – Blocking unwanted numbers on your phone is a simple process, although the exact steps may vary depending on your make, model, and operating system. Unfortunately, scammers often change their approach by spoofing different numbers to bypass manual blocking – making it an increasingly laborious task.
How to block text messages on iPhone:
- If you want to block the text messages from a sender, open up the conversation on your phone and tap their number. Then click on ‘Info’ (i) to access more details.
- To block a caller, go to the Details screen, select their phone number, and click on Block this Caller. Then hit Block Contact for additional protection.
Filter unknown senders – To reduce spam and robotic text messages cluttering your inbox, enable the built-in spam filter on your mobile device. You can start filtering spam messages on your iPhone by doing the following:
- To access your Messages settings, open the Settings app and locate the option labeled “Messages.”
- Browse through the list until you encounter the selection titled “Filter Unknown Senders.”
- To activate the filter, swipe on the button located to your right. After activation, all inquiries from unknown numbers will be found underneath the Filters tab labeled “Unknown Senders.”
Place your number on a Do Not Call Registry – The Federal Trade Commission in the US offers a National Do Not Call Registry for users who don’t wish to receive unsolicited texts or marketing calls. Even though this will keep honest business away, it does not stop scammers from sending messages that can lead to fraudulent activities. It is essential to be aware of these scams and take extra steps towards protection against them.
Use antivirus protection for phones – With so much information stored on smartphones and tablets. It has become essential to protect ourselves with mobile security. You can explore antivirus programs for iOS devices that will guard against malicious apps, websites, and files from infiltrating your device, ensuring that any spyware monitoring is blocked from your calls and texts. Additionally, this type of protection utilizes machine learning to recognize the latest threats before they take hold.
Does the iPhone Have a Filter Function for Spam Text Messages?
Yes. iPhones have a built-in filter for spam text messages, allowing users to block unwanted messages easily. The filter can be accessed in the Settings app under Messages > Filter Unknown Senders. Once enabled, any incoming messages from unknown numbers will be placed in a separate folder labeled “Unknown Senders” and can be deleted or viewed at the user’s discretion.
Additionally, users can block individual numbers from sending any more messages by accessing the contact details and tapping “Block this Caller.” It keeps off scammers and malicious parties who may try to send spoofed text messages to steal information or gain access to your device.
Does a Spam Message a Scam?
Yes. Spam messages can lure unsuspecting users into fraudulent activities, such as providing personal information or clicking on malicious links. As such, spam messages should never be trusted and should be permanently deleted without interaction. If the message does appear to have a legitimate source, it is best to contact the sender through another method (e.g., email or phone call) to confirm the message’s authenticity before taking any action.
Can a Spam Text Message Harm My iPhone?
Yes. Spam text messages can contain malicious links, leading to malicious websites, dangerous downloads, ransomware, scams, and more. Knowing the potential risks associated with clicking on external links or responding to messages from unknown senders is essential. Installing mobile security software that will scan for malicious files, apps, and websites before they can cause damage is also recommended. Users should also ensure their devices are updated with the latest operating system (OS) version to protect against threats.
Can I Use Reverse Number Lookup to Identify the Owner of the Spam Text Message?
Yes. You can use reverse number lookup services to identify the owner of a particular phone number. Various online services allow users to search for a person or business associated with a specific number, such as Whitepages or Truecaller. Reverse lookup tools are valuable if you’re looking to identify unknown callers or locate contact information for someone whose number you have. They help guard against unwanted spam calls, and an array of reverse phone lookup websites and mobile apps can make the process fast and straightforward. Reverse lookups are successful due to a range of variables, and according to research, between 60-80% of cell phone numbers investigated by reverse lookup services provided accurate results.