The Right Way to Block Spam Text Messages on Android

Spam text messages are unsolicited messages sent to mobile devices to promote products, services, or scams. They clutter your inbox and can be very annoying. Android phone users are vulnerable and must learn how to block spam text messages on their devices. Even if you own one of the most advanced Android phones, it’s only a matter of time before spam texts begin to arrive. They prove disruptive and carry potential safety hazards— scammers may send links or phone numbers through text messages to steal your money and personal details.

There are three effective methods for Android phone users to block spam texts. It includes learning how to stop a spam text message by adding a spam text blocker and how to report spam text. If you received spam text, don’t worry. It’s all too easy to become entangled in a spam attempt, and you’re certainly not alone. Recent statistics have revealed that one out of every three Americans has reported becoming victim to a mobile phone scam, yet fewer than 35% know they may be a target for such an attack. If you are an Android phone user, this article will teach you how to block spam text effectively.

How Can Spam Text Messages Be Filtered on Android?

The first method Android users can use to stop receiving spam text is filtering text messages. To protect yourself from unwanted spam texts, it is essential to never respond to messages that appear suspicious. Doing so could alert scammers of your active phone number, resulting in additional text-based solicitations. Fortunately, you can avoid this issue by implementing a robust spam filter on your device.

Spam filters on Android only work using Google Messages. It is pre-installed on Pixel devices. But you need to download this app if you use other mobile units such as Samsung or LG. Here are the steps to start using the Android spam text message filter.

Open the Google Messages application and select the three dots in the upper-right corner to get started.
Next, select Spam protection.
Ensure that “Spam Protection” is activated to protect your system.

How Can Spam Text Messages Be Blocked on Android?

The next option for Android users is to block spam text messages. This method is handy if you get spammy texts from a specific number. Blocking spam messages is also the best option for non-Google devices without installing Google Messages to enable a spam filter. The steps are:

To get started, open the spam message and tap the three-dot icon in its upper right corner.
Utilize the “Block Number” option to prevent unwanted calls.

If unwelcome spam texts from the same number keep plaguing you, this method will stop it. But some scammers are relentless and continuously generate new numbers for sending out their spam. Read more about how to block text messages for Android and iPhone devices.

How Can Spam Text Messages be Reported on Android?

Reporting spam text should always be a part of your action after enabling spam filters and blockers. To report a spam text message, you must do the following:

Open the spam text, then press and hold the message to trigger a menu. It would help if you didn’t tap any embedded links in this message, as doing so can put your phone at considerable risk.
Select “copy” from the drop-down menu to copy your text message onto your clipboard.
Head to your messages, then press the “+” icon in the lower right corner to start a new conversation. Paste in the text you copied before and type “7726” as the recipient it’s compatible with US providers like AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile!
Lastly, hit the ‘send’ button. It sends a report that flags the text as suspicious and helps your network protect you from future scam messages.

There you have it! Utilizing these techniques will not prevent all spam texts from infiltrating your inbox, but they will reduce the bombardment of junk messages that flood day and night. Read more about how to report a text spam to the proper authorities.

What Is a Spam Text Message?

Spam texts are unwanted messages sent in bulk to your mobile phone without your giving permission. While this type of messaging is less common here in North America, it’s been a regular occurrence for years now in Japan.

Text message spam has become more prominent as mobile phone usage expands. Typically, these texts come from malicious actors attempting to entice people with phishing links and other unwanted content. Fraudulent messages may even appear to originate from your bank or service provider offering gifts or promotions. As most text spam is sent through computer-generated emails and messaging apps, you won’t receive one directly from someone’s device; however, they can still be a nuisance, even fraudulent and hazardous!

Remain vigilant of the potential dangers posed by malicious spam text messages. These links can provide access to our devices or data, leading to financial loss if we are not careful. Although our phones might seem secure, criminals may still be able to obtain phone numbers and email addresses and steal money from bank accounts if a fraudulent link is clicked on. To protect yourself, stay aware of these possible risks and always avoid them at all costs.

Why I Keep Receiving Spam Text Messages?

Most people wonder why they are receiving spam text messages. Spammers constantly search for ways to obtain your cell phone number and bombard you with unsolicited SMS spam or sales texts. Identifying the most frequent methods spammers use can help protect you from being targeted. Here are some common approaches they take to get hold of your mobile number.

Automated generation – Despite having a recently-acquired phone number, it can still be disturbed by robot-automated calls and texts as technology allows even these new numbers to be auto-generated.
Social media sites sell your data – Social media websites are notorious for keeping tabs on your online behavior, then providing that data to marketers. Posting even a tiny piece of personal information, such as your phone number, can result in it appearing across several marketing databases and records.
You filled out an online form – Whenever you share your mobile number online, there is a risk that it could fall into the wrong hands. People often disclose their phone numbers for different purposes – submitting forms, joining loyalty programs, or entering competitions. The danger of having this information misused should not be underestimated.
Calling 800, 888, or 900 numbers in the US – When you place a call to numbers with unique prefixes, an Automatic Number Identification (ANI) system is triggered and immediately records your cellular phone number. Furthermore, this same ANI technology can link the gathered data back to other digital information associated with you.

Likewise, if you’ve ever responded to a spam text message – even unintentionally – your phone number has likely been marked as active and may have been shared with other spammers. It will only raise the chances of getting more irrelevant messages or SMS junk mail.

What Are the Spam Text Message Examples?

Spam text varies in content and modus. While not all spam texts are scams, most are deceitful and aim to elicit personal details to steal money or data. You will find a variety of stories to trick you. These are some examples:

You Won! You may receive text messages announcing that you’ve won a coupon, prize, or gift and must give your details to redeem it.
IRS Refund. An SMS message will appear from the IRS, claiming you can claim a refund of taxes by providing your personal information.
Cheap Deals. These are text messages offering exclusive offers or discounts on products or services.
Verify Your Account. We have deactivated your account for security, but don’t worry! You can easily reactivate it by following the steps provided.
Delivery Notification. You’ve just received a notification regarding your delivery package, and you must either reschedule the existing delivery slot or incur an additional fee to receive it.
Family Emergency. You receive a message from a relative asking for help and money as they suffer from an unforeseen emergency.

The common denominator among all these examples is that spammers will be after personal information such as bank details, credit card numbers, or passwords. Never share your data or click on suspicious links sent through SMS. Spammers often attempt to generate a sense of panic by asserting that “time is running out” or claiming that you must act immediately. This way, they lure unsuspecting victims into responding quickly and impulsively.

Be vigilant when you receive an SMS message asking you to click a link to learn more about the issue, as it could be fraudulent. Clicking the link will send you to a phony website where scammers can steal your login credentials if you sign in. Additionally, other text-based spam may contain malware that quietly steals personal information from your phone without warning.

How to Identify a Spam Text Message?

It is easy to identify spam text messages once you know how they are worded and are familiar with scamming methods. As scammers become increasingly more cunning and disguise their messages to look genuine, be aware of number spoofing – a technology that changes the caller ID name. If you are uncertain whether or not something is a scam text message, there are some tell-tale signs:

Unexpected contact – When an organization attempts to contact you, it is best practice not to assume its legitimacy. If the communication isn’t through a text message, reach out directly and inquire about their identity. Authentic organizations never cold-call or text asking for sensitive information such as financial or personal details via text message.
Keep an eye out for blatant misspellings and grammatical errors – If the message doesn’t appear professional, it’s likely fraudulent. Established firms rarely produce careless spelling or grammar mistakes in correspondence with customers.
Irrelevant messages – For instance, if you receive information about parcel delivery, have you ordered something, or were you waiting for such a package? If it informs about winning some prize, did you enter any competition that may explain this message? If the text refers to a gift card – does it come from somewhere where previously made purchases?

If something seems too good to be true, you’re likely being taken advantage of. It is the golden rule for avoiding online and in-person scams.

What Would I Do if I Received a Spam Text Message?

Unwanted spam messages on Android phones can be a significant nuisance and even pose severe security risks if you’re not vigilant. The best course of action when dealing with these types of texts is to report them as soon as possible. To ensure your safety, here are the steps you receive a suspicious text message:

Refrain from Replying – Do not succumb to the temptations of spam messages, no matter how appealing they may appear. Instantly erase the text and label it as “spam” or “junk” in your settings so that all subsequent correspondence from this sender will be filtered out automatically.
Do Not Click on Links – Don’t let spammers win. When you receive suspicious text containing links, be aware of the risk: clicking on it can lead to deceitful websites that steal your money and personal details or even install malware into your phone’s memory, tracking your activities. Protect yourself by remaining vigilant against these malicious messages!
Refrain from sharing confidential details – Protect your data by being suspicious of unsolicited messages asking for private information. Banks and government organizations would never send a request to update or verify information through text message; thus, if you ever receive one, do not respond and delete it right away.
Visit the Company Website – If you’re ever concerned about the legitimacy of a text message, be sure to contact the appropriate organization directly for confirmation. Your options include searching through search engines to access their website, typing it into your URL bar, and looking up and calling their phone number. Don’t risk any uncertainty – ensure its authenticity by taking these steps.
Report the Spammer – Are you receiving unwanted text messages or spam? You’re not alone! Please forward them to 7726 (which spells SPAM) and make sure the original number is visible. This reporting system works mainly with major network providers, plus it’s at no cost to you. After your report has been sent successfully, an automated response containing additional instructions will be sent back to you if needed.

How to Prevent Receiving Spam Text Messages on Android?

There are two ways Android users can do to prevent receiving spam text messages on their devices. The first is to block numbers, and the other is to use spam filters through the Google messages app.

Blocking Numbers

Blocking numbers is easy, although precise instructions may vary according to your mobile device’s manufacturer, model, and operating system. Remember that the scammers may try texting you from what appears to be a different number each time – by spoofing numbers – which makes manual blocking more laborious. Here is how to stop spam text on Android phones:

On an Android, launch the phone app and click on the three-dot icon in your top right corner to access “Settings.”
Select “Block numbers” from the list options.
You will have numerous possibilities, such as unidentified callers, recent calls, or even your contact list.
Select or manually input the number you want to block.

Filtering Spam Messages on Android

Keep spam out of your inbox and improve the quality of messages you receive by setting up spam filters on your mobile device. Google devices like Pixel phones have spam filters in the default messaging app. If you are using another Android phone, it is best to download Google Messages to take advantage of this feature.

Access the Messaging app and click the three-dotted icon in your screen’s upper right corner.
Click on “Settings,” then “Spam Protection.”
Scroll to the bottom until you locate “Enable Spam Protection.”
Activate it by sliding the button to the right.

Does Android Have Filter Function for Spam Text Messages?

Yes. Android has a built-in spam filtering feature to help users eliminate unwanted text messages. This feature is available on most modern Android devices and can be enabled in the settings menu. Additionally, third-party applications provide additional features to block or filter out potential spam text messages. With these apps, users can prevent themselves from receiving annoying and malicious messages.

Does a Spam Message a Scam?

No. Not all spam text messages are scams. Many marketing messages, survey requests, and other promotional offers can also be considered spam. However, they may not necessarily be scams. Nevertheless, when responding to a text message you are still determining, it is best to proceed cautiously and verify the sender’s authenticity before engaging in further communication. Many people find it disruptive to receive these messages if they are repetitive or unsolicited. As a result, blocking these numbers and filtering out spam messages is essential for a better user experience.

Can a Spam Text Message Harm My Android Phone?

No. Generally speaking, spam text messages cannot affect your phone other than annoying you with repetitive notifications. However, some malicious content may contain malware links that can lead to your phone being compromised. Always be mindful of the type of messages you open, and do not click on any unexpected or suspicious links. Additionally, it is best to avoid responding to unknown numbers or messages, as this may give away personal information and make you vulnerable to scams.