Spamhound Sms Spam Filter
SpamHound is a free service that works differently depending on the type of phone you own. The iOS app supplements Apple’s built-in Messages app to filter out SMS spam. But the Android app becomes your default SMS app for sending and receiving texts. SpamHound automatically displays past text messages and provides easy access to your contacts, but you can’t add GIFs, images, videos, or other files.
As for message blocking, it can detect spam based on keywords and other factors. To fine-tune SpamHoundâs powers of deduction, youâre encouraged to create blacklist and whitelist rules for what you want filtered out or allowed to come through.
Win The Battle Against Spam
Many marketers use aggressive marketing campaigns that often result in spamming our inboxes. And in the worst scenario, others send fraudulent links to trick people into revealing their personal information, which can lead to identity theft, credit card misuse, and many other issues.
Its essential to know how to protect yourself and report any instances of spam. This article has provided you with all the necessary information to report spam across providers. If you ever get puzzled, remember that you can always forward a spam message to 7726, and your provider will take care of it.
What type of spam messages do you receive? How do you handle the situation? Share your experiences in the comments section below.
How To Block Spam Text Messages On iPhone
Now that youve blocked the spam text messages, you might also want to consider reporting it. Note that reporting a spam message doesnt necessarily stop it, but it will help carriers and other users identify spam messages so that they can be warned about them, especially if they might be malicious in nature or misinformation.
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Report Spam Texts To At& t
Those on AT& T can forward also spam texts to 7726 for investigation. In addition to this, visiting AT& T’s Report Unwanted Calls & Texts page lets you provide additional information.
On this page, you can enter the number you want to report, along with your phone number. If you’d like, you can provide additional information like the time you received the message and what the message wanted you to do. There’s a spot to report the website it wanted you to visit or the number it wanted you to call.
Providing this information helps AT& T reduce spam texts across its network.
How To Recognize Spam Texts
There are some key signs that a text message isn’t legit. First, look to see if the company’s name is in the text. Usually, brands will be sure to let you know a text is from them.
Second, take a look at the link. The link should give you an idea of where it’s taking you. Check to see if the name of the website in the link? If so, it’s probably legit. If the email contains a shortened link , then don’t click.
For example, the link http://www.ups.com/tracking/1234 lets you know that it will take you to a UPS tracking page. On the other hand, the link https://bit.ly/3msAZfP gives you no clues and could be a link from a scammer.
Third, scammers use urgency to get you to take action without thinking. Catching you off-guard makes it easier for them to get you to click a link or answer with information.
Here’s an example of a couple of smishing texts that are vague, use urgency tactics, and have a shortened link:
- “You have a package that needs to be claimed ASAP. https://bit.ly/3msAZfP”
- “We selected your phone and email as winners. Obtain your prize here in 1 hour: http://bit.ly/N4uLR4m”
- “Reminder: Your parcel: YF-2521555 is still not shipped. Verify it within 2 hours or we will send it back: http://bit.ly/N4uLR4m”
- “Your IRS tax refund needs review. Must review within 24 hours: http://bit.ly/sdfsd5”
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How To Report Scam Calls To The Ftc
The FTC is a government agency that enforces federal consumer protection laws that prevent fraud, deception, and unfair business practices. There are two options to report scam calls to the FTC:
This is the process with the online report:
What Is Text Message Spam
Just so we’re all on the same page, it’s worth taking a moment to define what a spam text is.
As you’d expect, text message spam is similar to email spam. The term refers to any unwanted messages, which are usually ads and other junk distributed en masse. This might come in the form of “special offers”, claims that you’ve won a contest, ads for financial services, and similar.
If you proceed through these links, you’ll typically be asked for your personal information in order to “redeem the offer.” Of course, giving these details provides them to spammers so they can bug you with more junk—or worse, try to steal your identity.
Even if you know to ignore these messages, they take up space in your inbox. For those who have a limited texting plan, receiving these messages is also waste of money.
Sending thousands of texts is far easier than doing the same through the physical mail, which makes SMS attractive to spammers. Thankfully, a phone number is a bit easier to track down than an email address, so reporting spam texts can help the appropriate authorities put a stop to it.
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How To Filter Imessages From Unknown Senders
After youre finished, inside the iOS 13 Messages app, youll see a new tab at the top. Depending on your iPhone language and region, it may be named Unknown Senders, Junk, or Spam. iMessages from unknown senders will appear here. You wont get a notification for these texts. However, you can open and read them manually.
In iOS 14, the interface is a bit different. Tap Filters from the top-left to see categories like All Messages, Known Senders, Unknown Senders, Transactions, Promotions, Junk.
The Ftc Do Not Call Registry
The Do Not Call registry is a service provided by the Federal Trade Commission . Unlike the other options listed in this guide, this isnt used to report individual nuisance numbers. Instead, individuals can submit their personal phone number to the registry, to inform telemarketers they do not wish to be contacted.
Registration is simple and can be completed by:
- Using the online registration
While this is worth doing if youre receiving unwanted calls, it will only stop legitimate telemarketers who play by the rules. Companies that flout the rules or straight-up fraudsters dont give a hoot about the registry, so it wont stop those calls.
Also, the registry doesnt apply to political organizations, charities, telephone surveyors, and companies that youve been a previous customer of.
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Option : Filter Out Messages From Unknown Senders
Since iOS 10, Apple has included a built-in setting for filtering out potentially suspect messages from your main feed in Messages. It won’t block or report messages, and it applies to all messages from contacts not saved in your address book.
While that may sound like overkill, it can be a good tool for keeping unwanted messages away from your important ones. And you don’t have to worry about any needed texts disappearing completely since you’ll still be able to access them you just won’t get notifications for them or see them in your “Known Senders” feed.
To activate the feature, go to Settings > Messages, then scroll down and enable the toggle next to “Filter Unknown Senders.” To view messages from these senders, tap “Filters” in the top left, then “Unknown Senders.” From here, you can use any of the other options above to report or block senders.
If You Have An iPhone:
Apples spam blocking is a little more basic than Androids: it blocks phone numbers that you dont have saved in your contacts list and havent been in contact with before, which could be an issue .
- Open the Settings app
- Scroll down to and select Messages > Unknown & Spam
- Toggle on Filter Unknown Senders
Scroll down to Unknown & Spam.Toggle on Filter Unknown Senders.
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How Do I Block Unwanted Text Messages On My iPhone
Block Unwanted or Spam Text Messages from Unknown on iPhone
How To Report Spam Messages Via Your Mobile Carrier
Most major carriers, such as Verizon, AT& T and T-Mobile, allow you to report any potential spam text messages by forwarding them to 7726. Check with your carrier if this is applicable to you. And if you’re UK-based, you can do the same by forwarding a spam text message to the number mentioned above.
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How To Stop Sms Spam
For one-off cases, reporting text spam using the above methods should be enough. But if you receive incessant SMS spam, you should know how to block these messages.
While text blocking apps are outside the scope of this discussion, we have a guide on how to block SMS spam on Android and the best apps for blocking SMS spam on iPhone.
Aside from this, note that you should avoid interacting with spam texts. Don’t follow any links, as they’re likely dangerous. You should also avoid responding to spam messages, as doing so will let the spammer know they have a live number, prompting them to send more to you.
Finally, be careful where you provide your phone number. Often websites offer free ringtones and other content in exchange for your phone number providing this puts your number in spammers’ hands.
How To Block Text Message Notifications On iPhone From Unknown Person
You can also stop annoying SMS notification alerts on your iPhone by following basic steps below shown all:
- First launch < Settings> app on your iPhone and iPad.
- On the Settings page, scroll down to bottom and press on < Notifications> option.
- On the next screen, find out < Messages> and tap on it.
- Further, this will open many options, scroll down and press on < Customize Notifications> option.
- Next you have to need turn off toggle button next to Unknown Senders.
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Report Spam Or Junk Messages
With iMessage, a message you receive from someone who isnt saved in your contacts might be identified as possible spam or junk. You can report these messages to Apple.
In the message, tap Report Junk, then tap Delete and Report Junk.
The senders information and the message are sent to Apple, and the message is permanently deleted from your device.
Note: Reporting junk or spam doesnt prevent the sender from sending messages, but you can block the number to stop receiving them.
To report spam or junk messages you receive with SMS or MMS, contact your carrier.
How To Report A Spam Text
This article was written by Travis Boylls. Travis Boylls is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Travis has experience writing technology-related articles, providing software customer service, and in graphic design. He specializes in Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux platforms. He studied graphic design at Pikes Peak Community College.The wikiHow Tech Team also followed the article’s instructions and verified that they work. This article has been viewed 105,736 times.
This wikiHow teaches you how to report spam text messages by forwarding them to shortcode 7726 . Spam text messages are not only a nuisance, they are illegal and can even contain links that can be dangerous. Many spam messages are an attempt to obtain your personal information or spread malware that can infect your phone. Never reply to spam messages or tap on any of the links in the message and always report spam text messages immediately.
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How To Report A Spam Phone Number On An Android
- Open recent calls
- Tap and hold the phone number you want to block
- Tap block number in the dropdown menu
- Tick the report call as spam box
- Select Block
| Pro Tip Turn on Googles Spam Filter to Reduce Nuisance CallsAndroid users can also enable Googles spam filter from the Phone app, which will block all calls that Google suspects to be spam. This is how you do it: Open phone app Tap the three dots in the corner Tab Settings Tab Caller ID & Spam Enable the option to filter suspected spam calls |
What Text Message Spam Is Not
On its Text Message Spam page, the United States Federal Trade Commission outlines its rules in the following statement:
It’s illegal to send unsolicited commercial email messages to wireless devices, including cell phones and pagers, unless the sender gets your permission first. It’s also illegal to send unsolicited text messages from an auto-dialer—equipment that stores and dials phone numbers using a random or sequential number generator.
However, the FTC notes that the following types of messages are exceptions:
Transactional or relationship types of messages. If a company has a relationship with you, it can send you things like statements or warranty information.Non-commercial messages. This includes political surveys or fundraising messages.
This means that if you signed up for text alerts about sales or similar from a retailer, those aren’t spam because you gave them permission to send you those messages. In most cases, legitimate services let you text STOP to cancel promotional SMS texts.
And while political messages are annoying, they technically don’t fall under spam the same way that the other nonsense does.
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How To Report A Spam Text: 4 Simple Steps
Texting is a convenient method of communication. But, like any other form of sending and receiving messages, spammers have learned to take advantage.
If youve received a spam text message, youre not alone. In 2020, the Federal Communications Commission received about 14,000 text spam complaints. Knowing how to report spam texts is an effective way to stop this annoying — and illegal — activity.
A spam text is essentially any unwanted message.Common examples include:
- Mass ads
- Notifications that youve won a contest you never entered
- Messages from the IRS or other government entities
- Messages that appear to be from a bank or credit card asking you to verify information
Thankfully, there are simple steps you can take to put an end to the problem. In this step-by-step guide, well show you how to report unwanted texts so that your SMS inbox stays uncluttered and junk-free.
How Do You Report Spam Text Messages On iPhone
You can report spam text on iPhone when you:
This wont block the number that is sending you text messages immediately but will send the spammers info to Apple. They will investigate the reported spam and eventually stop the spammers from sending you messages.
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How To Block And Report Text Spam On iPhone: Setting Up Additional Measures
1. In the main menu, as shown on the screenshot below.
2. Scroll down and select ‘Messages’ in the settings menu.
3. Scroll down to the ‘Message Filtering’ section and toggle on the ‘Filter Unknown Senders’ option as indicated below. This will filter messages from people who are not in your contacts.
Hide Alerts For Spam Text Messages On iPhone
One other trick that I use to reduce irrelevant text messages annoyance is to hide their alerts. For example, my carrier sends me two texts once I consume 50% of my daily cellular data.
Similarly, my neighborhood Dominos, Pizza Hut, and grocery store send promotional messages regularly. 95% of these messages are irrelevant. But a few are useful.
To hide alerts for certain chats, open the Messages app and swipe right to left on a contact name or number. Next, tap Hide Alerts . Now you wont get any notification if this number texts you.
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How To Filter Text Messages On My Android
To block spam messages on an Android follow these steps:
If you can’t find the “Spam Protection” option, your phone doesn’t have a spam filtering feature. In this case, you’ll need to install an app such as the ones mentioned above.
How To Report Spam Text Messages To T
T-Mobile has a special app to help you prevent spam messages from reaching your inbox. Its called Scam Shield. You can activate Scam Block and Caller ID, see which calls T-Mobile blocked for you, or report instances of spam and scams.
If you received a message you believe may be a scam, dont respond, even if it seems like its coming from a person you know. Also, dont click on any links in the text message. But make sure to change your T-Mobile ID password if you accidentally opened any of the links.
You can report spam to T-Mobiles Spam Reporting Service by copying the message and sending it to 7726. Heres how to do so:
T-Mobile will send you a confirmation text and forward your message to their Security Center for further investigation. This Center is a system linked to a global database of potential spam numbers. Your details will be encrypted, so you dont have to worry about giving away your identity. However, the information received from your message may be shared with government agencies that fight against fraudulent actions.
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