Spam messages; those unsolicited and unwanted messages that try to trick you into giving your personal or financial information, or get you to click on malicious links… They can be alternately annoying, intrusive, and even dangerous. Fortunately, there are some simple ways to report spam texts and stop them from reaching you. In this post, we will explain how and where you can report spam texts using four different methods:
· Forward the Unwanted Messages to 772-6 (“SPAM”)
· Report Unwanted Texts to the FTC and FCC
· Add Your Number to the Do Not Call Registry
· Block or Report Spam on Your Phone
Forward the Unwanted Messages to 7726 (“SPAM”)
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are two crucial government agencies responsible for regulating telemarketing practices and ensuring consumer protection against fraud and abuse. These agencies play a vital role in safeguarding individuals from unwanted communication and fraudulent activities.
If you receive unwanted texts, reporting them to the FTC is a proactive step toward addressing the issue. To do so, you can visit the FTC's Complaint Assistant page, where you will find a designated section for reporting unwanted telemarketing, texts, or spam. Within this section, select "Text" from the provided list. You will then be prompted to enter specific details about the message, including the number it originated from, the content of the text, and the time of receipt.
Similarly, the FCC provides a platform for reporting unwanted texts and taking action against offenders. By filing a complaint online, you can contribute to the efforts against unsolicited communication. When submitting your complaint, choose "Phone Issues" as the category and then select "Unwanted Calls" (including do not call violations) as the subcategory. The FCC will require you to provide relevant information about yourself and the unwanted message you received.
Reporting unwanted texts to both the FTC and the FCC serves the purpose of creating a comprehensive record of these occurrences, enabling the agencies to investigate and take appropriate action against violators. Your contribution helps in building stronger consumer protections and combating fraudulent practices in the telecommunications industry.
By actively reporting unwanted texts, consumers can play a crucial role in shaping the regulatory landscape and strengthening the efforts of these government agencies to protect individuals from telemarketing abuses and fraudulent activities. Together, the FTC and the FCC are working towards ensuring a safer and more secure communication environment for all.
Report Unwanted Texts to the FTC and FCC
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are two government agencies that regulate telemarketing and protect consumers from fraud and abuse.
You can report unwanted texts to the FTC by visiting their Complaint Assistant page. On the left side, click Unwanted Telemarketing, Text, or Spam, then Text from the list. You will need to enter some details about the message, such as the number that sent it, what it said, when you received it, etc.
You can also report unwanted texts to the FCC by filing a complaint online. You will need to select Phone Issues as the category of your complaint, then choose Unwanted Calls (including do not call violations) as the subcategory. You will then be asked to provide some information about yourself and the message.
Add Your Number to the Do Not Call Registry
The Do Not Call Registry is a free service that lets you opt out of receiving telemarketing calls from legitimate businesses. You can register your phone number online at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you want to register.
While this service does not stop spam texts directly, it may reduce them indirectly by making your number less available to telemarketers who may also send text messages.
If you receive a text message from a company that claims you have given them permission to contact you because you are on their list or have bought something from them before, but you do not recognize them or want their messages anymore, you can reply with STOP or UNSUBSCRIBE. This should stop future messages from that sender.
Block or Report Spam on Your Phone
Another way to deal with spam texts is to block or report them on your phone. Depending on your phone model and operating system, there may be different options for doing this.
For example:
- On an iPhone: Open the message thread of an unwanted text message > Tap on Contact > Tap on Info > Tap on Info again > Scroll down > Tap Block this Caller > Confirm.
- On an Android phone: Open Messages app > Open conversation with an unwanted text message > Tap More icon (three dots) > Tap Details > Tap Block & report spam > Confirm.
Blocking or reporting spam on your phone prevents future messages from that sender from reaching you. It also helps your phone provider identify spammers and filter them out for other users.
So in conclusion, spam text messages are a common problem that affects many people every day. They can be annoying at best and harmful at worst. However, there are some simple ways to report spam texts and stop them from bothering you.
By forwarding unwanted messages to 7726 (“SPAM”), reporting them to FTC and FCC online platforms, adding your number to the Do Not Call Registry, and blocking or reporting spam on your phone, you can help yourself and others avoid falling victim to scammers and protect your personal and financial information.