Spam text messages are growing in number and becoming harder to spot.
Americans received an estimated 19.2 billion spam texts in May, according to Robokiller.com.
After a 2009 law that required phone companies to do more to stop robocalls, many scammers shifted to texting. According to the Federal Communications Commission, complaints about text scams increased 500% from 2015 to 2022.
If recipients aren’t sure whether a text is real or a scam, they should contact the company using a phone number or website they know is legitimate. They should never click on the link provided in the text.
Consumers can use several tools to help filter spam texts, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC):
- Spam senders can be blocked on both iPhones and most Android models.
- Some wireless providers offer tools or services to block spam calls and text messages. More information can be found at ctia.org.
- There are several call-blocking apps available for download. Features vary depending on the app.
To report a spam text, consumers can copy the message and forward it to 7726 (SPAM). This helps wireless providers block similar messages going forward. Spam texts can also be reported through the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
The slideshow above highlights ways to spot a spam text, according to the FTC.
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