How do I stop scam text messages?
Quick answer: Blocking, reporting, and ignoring the message are safer than replying, even to say stop.
Blocking, reporting, and ignoring the message are safer than replying, even to say stop.
Do not reply or tap links; block the sender, report the message as junk, and use your carrier’s spam reporting option.
Why these texts are dangerous
Scam texts — sometimes called “smishing” — are built to make you act fast: a frozen bank account, a package that needs a fee, a prize about to expire. The link inside leads to a convincing fake page that steals your password or card details. Even replying is risky, because it confirms your number belongs to a real person who reads texts.
What to do, step by step
- Do not tap the link and do not reply — not even “STOP” to a number you do not recognize.
- Read it like a detective: unexpected delivery fees, urgent account warnings, and “wrong number” messages that quickly turn friendly are all classic setups.
- If it claims to be your bank, a delivery company, or a government office, contact them the safe way — through their official app or the number on your card — never through the text.
- Report it. Forward the message to 7726 (which spells SPAM) so your carrier can block similar texts. On iPhone you can also tap “Report Junk,” and on Android, “Block and report spam.”
- Block the number, then turn on filtering: “Filter Unknown Senders” in iPhone message settings, and spam protection in Android’s Messages app.
- Mention it to family. Scammers send the same scripts to everyone, and a quick warning can save someone less cautious.
Pro tip: Real delivery companies do not text asking for a small “redelivery fee.” Check any parcel’s status inside the company’s own app instead.
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