If your phone keeps buzzing with texts you never asked for, you’re not alone. Spam texts have gotten worse over the past few years, and they’re not just annoying anymore. Some are outright scams trying to steal your information or money.
The good news is that you don’t need to be tech-savvy to stop them. You also don’t need to download any special apps or pay for extra services. Your phone already has built-in tools to block unwanted text messages, and they’re easier to use than you might think.
There are actually a few different ways to handle this, depending on what kind of messages you’re getting. If it’s just one annoying person or business texting you repeatedly, you can block them directly from your phone in about ten seconds. If you’re getting a flood of spam from different numbers, your mobile carrier has free tools that can help filter them out before they even reach you.
This guide will walk you through both options step by step. We’ll show you exactly where to tap on your phone, what to look for, and how to report the worst offenders so they stop bothering other people too. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll know how to take control of your inbox and get back to only seeing the messages you actually want.
First, figure out what kind of unwanted texts you’re getting
Not all unwanted texts are the same, and knowing what you’re dealing with helps you pick the right fix. Take a quick look at the messages piling up in your inbox.
If you’re getting random messages about crypto investments, mystery packages, or prizes you never entered to win, that’s classic spam. These usually come from different numbers each time. The senders blast out thousands of texts hoping someone bites.
Then there are the trickier ones: texts pretending to be your bank, a delivery service, or a government agency. They often include a link and create urgency, like “Your account will be locked” or “Confirm your delivery now.” These are scams designed to steal your information. Whatever you do, don’t tap those links if anything feels off. When in doubt, open your bank’s app directly or call the number on your actual credit card.
You might also be getting marketing texts from actual businesses where you once shopped or signed up for something. These are annoying but usually legitimate. The good news? They’re required to let you opt out, often by replying STOP.
Finally, there’s the straightforward case: texts from one specific person or number you want to avoid. Maybe it’s an ex, a pushy salesperson, or just someone you’d rather not hear from.
Why does this matter? Because blocking a single number works great for that last situation, but it won’t stop spam that comes from a new number every day. And replying STOP to a scammer just confirms your number is active. Different problems need different solutions.
Block unwanted text messages using your phone’s built-in controls
The fastest way to stop a specific number from texting you is to block it directly from your phone. No downloads required. Your phone already has this built in, whether you use an iPhone or Android.
Here’s how it works: when you block a sender, your phone tells that number to go away. Future texts from that number either disappear completely or land in a hidden folder you’ll never see. It’s like closing the door on someone who won’t stop knocking.
To block someone, open the unwanted text message. Tap on the sender’s name or number at the top of the conversation. This opens their contact details. Look for an option that says something like “Block,” “Block this caller,” or “Block contact.” The exact words depend on your phone model and who provides your service, but the idea is always the same.
Some phones also give you a “Report and block” option, which sends a complaint to your carrier while blocking the sender. This is especially helpful for obvious scams or spam, since it helps your carrier catch patterns and protect other people too.
Keep in mind that blocking works best when the same number keeps bothering you. If you’re getting texts from a different random number every time, blocking each one becomes a bit like whack-a-mole. But for that one persistent ex, that annoying marketing number, or a scammer using the same digits, blocking shuts them down immediately.
Once you block a number, you won’t get notifications from them anymore. It’s that simple.
Stop legitimate marketing texts the simple way
If you’re getting texts from a company you actually recognize, there’s often a surprisingly easy fix. Most legitimate businesses are required to honor simple opt-out requests, and they usually make it straightforward.
Look at the bottom of the message. You’ll often see something like “Reply STOP to unsubscribe” or “Text END to opt out.” This works because real companies don’t want to annoy you or risk complaints. When you reply with that keyword, their system automatically removes your number from their list.
The key is knowing when it’s safe to reply. If the text is from a store you’ve shopped at, a service you signed up for, or a company whose name you recognize, and the message seems normal for them, replying STOP is usually fine. Same goes if you remember giving them your phone number at checkout or online.
But don’t reply to random texts offering prizes, claiming you owe money, or pushing weird links from companies you’ve never heard of. Those are likely scams, and replying just confirms your number is active. That makes you a bigger target.
When you do opt out from a real business, give it a little time. Most companies process these requests within a few days, though you might get one or two more messages that were already queued up. If texts keep coming after a week, that’s when you know something’s off and you should try other blocking methods instead.
This approach won’t solve everything, but it’s the easiest way to cut down on texts from companies that are playing by the rules.
Report text spam without extra tools
Reporting spam texts does more than just make you feel better. It actually helps your phone carrier improve their filters so fewer junk messages get through to everyone. Think of it like flagging a pothole so the city can fix it.
Most phones have a report option built right into your messaging app. On an iPhone, you might see a blue “Report Junk” link under suspicious messages. On Android phones, you can usually long-press a message and look for a “Report spam” or similar option. It takes two seconds and sends information about the sender to your carrier.
There’s also a handy shortcut that works across most major carriers. Forward the spam text to 7726, which spells out SPAM on your keypad. Your carrier will typically reply asking you to send the phone number the spam came from, then confirm they received your report. The whole process takes less than a minute.
Here’s what reporting won’t do: it usually won’t instantly block that sender or stop their messages right away. That’s why you’ll still want to block the number separately. But your report helps train the carrier’s spam detection system, making it smarter at catching similar messages before they reach other people.
Some messaging apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger have their own built-in reporting features too. Look for options like “Report” or “Block and report” when you tap on a suspicious contact. These reports go to the app company instead of your phone carrier, but they work the same way by helping identify and filter out scammers.
If you clicked a link or shared info, focus on damage control
If you’ve already clicked a link or entered information, don’t panic. The most important thing right now is to stop any further interaction with that text or website. Don’t reply, don’t click anything else, and don’t share any more details.
Take a screenshot of the message if you still have it. This can be helpful if you need to report it later or reference what happened. Then delete the message so you don’t accidentally click it again.
Think about what information you shared. If you entered a password anywhere, change it immediately on the real website or app. If you used that same password on other accounts, change those too. This is especially important for your email and bank accounts.
Did you enter credit card or bank details? Contact your bank or card provider right away. Let them know what happened so they can watch for suspicious activity. They might suggest freezing your card or issuing a new one. Most banks have fraud departments that handle this sort of thing every day.
If you shared personal details like your phone number, address, or social security number, keep an eye on your mobile account and email for unusual activity. Scammers sometimes use personal information to try taking over phone accounts, something called a SIM swap. If you notice anything strange with your phone service, like suddenly losing signal, contact your carrier immediately.
The key is acting quickly but calmly. Most problems can be contained if you respond fast and alert the right people.
