Stop Replying 'Stop': The Danger of Responding to Spam Texts
Responding to spam texts confirms your number is valid, increasing scam risks.
In brief
Responding to spam texts confirms your number is valid, increasing scam risks. Replying to spam texts gives scammers your number, so don't respond to stop requests. Originally reported by PCMAG.
Why Your Number Might Be Spammed
Your number could be leaked from a data breach and listed on the dark web.
“data breach”
Spam Texts Are Scam Siren Songs
Phishing messages are the siren songs of scammers and spammers.
“phishing messages”
Turn On Message Filters
Enable iOS message filtering to sort unknown senders into a separate folder.
“Settings > Apps > Messages > Message Filtering”
Skepticism Prevents Scams
Don't respond to messages from numbers not in your contact list.
“Stay skeptical when reading messages from numbers that aren't in your phone's contact list”
Wrong Number Scams Are Rising
Scammers pretend to be people you know to trick you into crypto investments.
“wrong number scams”
Never Respond to Suspicious Texts
Replying to spam texts confirms your number is valid and increases scam risks.
“do not respond, not even to tell it to stop”
Block Numbers Even If Spammers Hop
Spammers switch numbers, so block the number you receive texts from.
“block a number that's been sending you junk messages”
Report Robotexts to Your Carrier
Forward spam texts to 7726 to report to your carrier.
“send the text to the number 7726”
Enable Phone Spam Protection
Turn on iOS message filtering to sort unknown senders into a separate folder.
“Settings > Messages > Filter Unknown Senders”
Carrier Spam Tools
Verizon Call Filter, T-Mobile Scam Shield, and AT&T ActiveArmor block spam texts.
“Verizon's Call Filter blocks robocalls and spam messages”
Boost Protection With Third-Party Apps
Apps like SpamHound, SMS Spam Stopper, RoboKiller, and TextKiller block spam.
“SpamHound supplements Apple's built-in Messages app to filter out SMS spam”
SpamHound Filters
SpamHound uses keywords and rules to block spam messages.
“SpamHound is a free iOS app that supplements Apple's built-in Messages app”
SMS Spam Stopper Uses AI
SMS Spam Stopper uses AI to detect spam by comparing messages to 5,000 spam examples.
“SMS Spam Stopper uses artificial intelligence to detect spam messages”
RoboKiller Analyzes Messages
RoboKiller analyzes phone numbers, content, and attachments to block spam.
“RoboKiller analyzes the phone number, content, and attachments of incoming messages”
TextKiller Blocks Texts
TextKiller blocks spam messages using keywords and phone numbers.
“TextKiller blocks text messages by searching for specific words and terms”
Remove Data to Stop Scams
Remove your data from brokers to stop spam and scams.
“Schedule a few hours to send requests to data brokers to have your data removed”
At a glance
Replying to spam texts gives scammers your number, so don't respond to stop requests.
