Here are some handy tips for eliminating those spam texts - and leaving open the possibility that you will still receive messages from actual people in your life. The same has become true of texts, which arrive with enormous frequency, usually trying get me to sell my house (which I can guarantee they were not just admiring recently in the neighborhood) or access my Netflix account, which is always in supposed danger. You can also report spam messages to your carrier for free by forwarding them to 7726.Have you noticed that the more time goes on, the more we use our phones to stop people from connecting to us? If my phone rings at all, I can be pretty certain it isn’t anyone who knows me calling. The Premium version, at $4 per month, offers enhanced alerts, caller ID, and automatic call blocking. US Cellular has the Call Guardian app offering caller ID, spam alerts, and spam reporting.Google Fi offers various blocking options and caller ID for free in the Google Fi app.T-Mobile has the free Scam Shield app, which offers caller ID, scam detection and blocking, and even a proxy number you can use when you don’t want to share your real number.The Plus version costs $3 per month for one line or $8 per month for three or more, and adds caller ID, spam look-up and risk meter, and a personal block list. It offers spam detection and filtering, a white-list option for iOS, and a neighborhood spoofing filter. Verizon has a similar app called Call Filter. ![]() The Plus version costs $4 per month per line and adds caller ID, reverse number lookup, and additional nuisance call controls. The basic version is free and offers spam and fraud call blocking, nuisance call alerts, and unknown call blocking. The major carriers offer apps that can help you to recognize nuisance numbers and block calls or messages from them. How to Block Calls or Texts With Your Carrier Open the Messages app and tap the three vertical dots on the top right, then Settings, Spam protection, and toggle on Enable spam protection.If you have turned the spam filter on, it should screen your calls automatically, but you can also tap Screen call when a call comes in. To try it, open the Phone app and tap the three vertical dots at the top right, then Settings, Call Screen, and choose the voice you want. If you have a Google Pixel, try call-screening to have Google Assistant answer for you and generate a transcript.(You can simply toggle on Caller ID and spam protection on a Samsung phone.) Open the Phone app and tap the three vertical dots on the top right, then Settings, then tap Caller ID and Spam to get options to See caller and spam ID and Filter spam calls. You can also turn on caller ID and spam protection.Open the Phone app and tap the three vertical dots on the top right, then Settings, Blocked numbers, and toggle on Unknown (or Block unknown callers on a Samsung phone).The more people do this, the easier it is to identify and preemptively block or label nuisance numbers. We will go into how to report numbers to manufacturers, carriers, and third parties below. Sadly, many organizations and scammers ignore it. You can also add your number to the Do Not Call Registry, though it only works for sales calls from reputable companies. If it’s telemarketing, scam, or spam, you can report it to the FTC here. We will explain how to block numbers, but it’s also important to report unwanted calls and messages. If you can’t find anything on the number, be cautious and ignore it. ![]() While it can be tricky to confirm a scammer’s number, it is easy to verify a legitimate one. If you are concerned that the call or message might be from a legitimate company, try typing the number into your preferred search engine.Never respond to a spam text message, as it will confirm that your number is valid.If possible, avoid opening them altogether. Never click on a link or attachment in a spam text message because it could trigger malware.Sadly, this won’t work for people with businesses or interests that involve a lot of calls from unknown numbers. ![]() Callers with anything important to say will likely leave a message anyway.
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