Block spam texts at the carrier level first

Your phone carrier — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or another provider — can filter spam texts before they reach your phone. This is the most effective place to stop them because the filter works on every app and every message, not just in one place.

Verizon offers Call Filter, which blocks known spam numbers and lets you report new ones. AT&T has Call Protect. T-Mobile includes Scam Shield. All three are free with your account. You turn them on through your carrier's website or app, or by calling customer service. Once enabled, spam texts are either blocked outright or sorted into a separate folder you can review without reading them.

If you use a smaller carrier — Mint Mobile, Cricket, Visible, or others — ask your provider's customer service whether they offer spam filtering. Some do; some recommend using your phone's built-in tools instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Your phone carrier can filter spam texts before they arrive, which is more effective than blocking individual numbers after the fact.
  • Most major carriers offer free spam filtering through their apps or websites — Verizon Call Filter, AT&T Call Protect, and T-Mobile Scam Shield are the main ones.
  • Your phone's operating system also has built-in blocking tools: iPhone has Filter Unknown Senders, and Android has spam filtering in Messages.
  • Blocking a single number stops texts from that one sender but does not stop spam networks, which rotate numbers constantly.
  • Never reply to spam texts, click links in them, or call numbers they ask you to contact — responding confirms your number is active.

Use your phone's built-in spam filter

If you have an iPhone, open Settings, go to Messages, and turn on Filter Unknown Senders. This moves texts from numbers not in your contacts into a separate tab so they do not clutter your main inbox. The texts still arrive, but you see them only if you look for them.

On Android, open the Messages app (or Google Messages if you use that), tap the menu, go to Settings, and turn on spam protection. Android's filter learns over time and improves as you mark messages as spam. You can also block individual numbers directly in the Messages app by opening a spam text, tapping the three dots, and selecting Block.

These phone-level filters work alongside your carrier's filter. They catch different patterns, so using both gives you better coverage than either alone.

Block individual numbers when the same sender repeats

If one number keeps texting you after the carrier and phone filters miss it, block that number directly. On iPhone, open the message, tap the sender's name at the top, scroll down, and tap Block This Caller. On Android, open the message, tap the three dots, and select Block Number.

Blocking stops that specific number from reaching you, but spam networks rotate numbers constantly. A blocked number may never text you again anyway. Blocking is useful for persistent senders — a person you know who will not stop, or a local business texting you repeatedly — but it is not a solution to spam in general.

Do not reply to spam texts, click links in them, or call numbers they ask you to contact. Responding tells the sender your number is active and monitored, which makes you a more valuable target. Your number may then be sold to other spam networks.

Report spam texts to your carrier and the FTC

When you report a spam text to your carrier, you help improve their filter for everyone. On Verizon, forward the message to 7726 (SPAM). On AT&T, forward to 7726 as well. On T-Mobile, forward to 7726. Most carriers use the same number for simplicity.

You can also report spam texts to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC does not stop individual texts, but it tracks patterns and uses the data to investigate larger spam operations. If you received a text claiming to be from your bank, your payment app, or a government agency, reporting it helps the FTC warn others about that scam.

Recognize common spam text patterns

Spam texts often claim to be from your bank, a delivery service, your phone carrier, or a government agency. They ask you to click a link, call a number, or reply with personal information. Real banks and government agencies do not ask for passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers by text.

Delivery scams are common: a text says a package failed to deliver and asks you to click a link to reschedule. If you did not order anything, delete it. If you did order something, go directly to the carrier's website (FedEx, UPS, Amazon) instead of clicking the link in the text.

Tax and IRS scams arrive around tax season. The IRS does not initiate contact by text or email — they send letters by mail. If you owe taxes, the IRS will contact you first by mail, not text.

Turn off read receipts and do not engage

Some spam networks use read receipts to confirm your number is active. On iPhone, go to Settings, Messages, and turn off Send Read Receipts. On Android, open Messages, tap the menu, go to Settings, and turn off Read Receipts. This prevents senders from knowing whether you opened their message.

The most effective defense is to ignore spam texts entirely. Do not open links, do not call numbers, do not reply. Silence tells the sender nothing. Engagement — even a reply saying "stop" — confirms your number works and may increase the volume you receive.

Consider a separate number for online accounts

If you receive constant spam texts, one option is to use a separate phone number for online accounts, shopping, and signups. Keep your main number for people you know. This reduces the number of places your main number is stored and sold.

You can get a second number through Google Voice (free), Skype, or your carrier's multi-line service. Use the secondary number when you sign up for accounts, make online purchases, or enter your number into websites. Your main number stays quieter because fewer companies have it.

This approach takes more effort and is not necessary for most people, but it is effective if spam has become overwhelming.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I get spam texts if I never gave my number out?

Phone numbers are generated in sequences, so spammers send texts to thousands of numbers at once hoping some are active. Your number may have also been bought from a data breach, a website you signed up for, or a company that sold your information. You do not have to have done anything wrong to be on a spam list.

Does blocking a number stop all spam from that sender?

Blocking stops texts from that specific number, but spam networks rotate numbers constantly. The same organization may text you tomorrow from a different number. Blocking is useful for repeat senders you know personally, but it does not solve spam networks.

Is it safe to click "unsubscribe" links in spam texts?

No. Clicking an unsubscribe link or replying "STOP" confirms your number is active and monitored. This makes your number more valuable to spammers and may increase the volume you receive. Ignore the message and use your phone's block feature instead.

Can I get my number changed if spam is constant?

Yes. Contact your carrier and ask to change your phone number. Most carriers allow one free change per account per year, though policies vary. A new number will be quiet for a while, but it may eventually be added to spam lists again. Using carrier-level filtering and the phone's built-in filter prevents most spam before you need a new number.

What should I do if a spam text asks me to confirm my bank account or password?

Delete it when ready. Your bank will never ask for passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers by text. If you are worried the text might be real, hang up and call your bank directly using the number on your debit card or statement — not a number from the text. Your bank can tell you whether they sent the message.