Isabella Carter
With the 2024 election in its final weeks, many people are receiving a record number of campaign text messages. In 2022, Americans received an average of 50 political texts per phone, and this year is expected to be even higher. These unwanted texts can be annoying, and even dangerous, as they may contain links to malware or untrustworthy websites. So, how can you block them?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to block election texts | Reply with "STOP", “STOPALL”, “ENDALL”, or “CANCEL” |
| Block the number | |
| Use an app like Robokiller or NoMoRobo | |
| Change phone settings to filter out unknown senders | |
| Forward the message to SPAM (7726) |
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What You'll Learn
Report spam texts by forwarding them to 7726
If you are tired of receiving spam texts, you can report them by forwarding them to 7726. This number is used by cellular providers to identify spammers and block spam messages for all users. The process of forwarding spam messages to 7726 is straightforward and similar across different devices. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
For Android Devices:
- Open the text messaging app and find the conversation containing the spam message.
- Long-press on the spam message. A pop-up menu will appear, so make sure not to accidentally tap any links in the message.
- Tap the "Forward" icon, which usually looks like a curved arrow. This will copy the message into a new draft.
- In the "To" field, enter 7726 as the recipient.
- Send the message.
For iOS Devices:
- Open the Messages app and find the conversation containing the spam message.
- Tap the conversation to view the messages. Be careful not to tap any links within the message.
- Press and hold the specific message you want to report until a menu prompt appears.
- From the menu, select "More..." to see a checklist of messages that can be forwarded.
- Select any additional messages you want to report, then tap the arrow icon in the bottom right corner to create a new draft.
- In the "To" field, enter 7726.
- Press "Send."
For Google Messages:
- Open the Messages app and long-tap the conversation you want to report.
- Tap the three-dot menu icon in the top right corner.
- Tap "Block."
- Tap the "Send" icon (a blue upward-facing arrow) to forward the message to the Spam Reporting Service.
- You will receive a text from 7726 asking for the number that sent the spam message. Copy and paste the number and send it back.
By following these steps, you can help combat spam and protect yourself and others from unwanted messages.
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Reply stop to unsubscribe
Political text messages can be overwhelming, especially during election season. It is important to know your rights and the steps you can take to stop receiving these texts.
In the United States, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) contains specific rules that political campaigns must follow. While campaign calls and texts are generally exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry requirements, you can revoke your consent to receive such messages at any time.
To unsubscribe from unwanted political text messages, simply reply to the text with the word "STOP". Most text alert providers will automatically remove your phone number from their list if you do this. You can also try other keywords such as "UNSUBSCRIBE", "ENDALL", "CANCEL", or "QUIT". If the organization messaging you is using texting software, they are required to remove you from their contact list once you send them one of these keywords.
In addition to replying "STOP", you can also block the number to ensure you no longer receive unwanted messages. You can also go to your phone's message settings and filter out text messages from anyone not in your contact list. If you suspect the number is from a scammer, it is recommended to block and report the number, as replying could indicate to them that your number is real. You can report spam by forwarding the message to 7726 (or "SPAM") and your carrier will look into it.
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Block the number
If you're tired of receiving endless political text messages, you're not alone. During election season, there is often a surge in unsolicited texts from various campaigns. While these messages may be annoying, there are ways to fight back and reclaim your inbox. One effective method is to block the numbers sending these unwanted texts. Here's a comprehensive guide on blocking those pesky political texts:
Identify the Source:
Before blocking, it's essential to determine the source of the text messages. Are they coming from a political organization or a scammer? If you recognize the sender as a legitimate campaign, proceed with blocking their number directly. However, if the texts appear suspicious, with unknown senders or dubious links, treat them with caution.
Blocking the Number:
Once you've identified the source, it's time to take action. Here's a step-by-step process for blocking the number:
- Reply with "STOP" or Similar Keywords: Before blocking, it's advisable to reply with a clear opt-out request. Most legitimate political organizations are required to honor these requests. You can reply with keywords like "STOP," "STOPALL," "ENDALL," or "CANCEL." This step is especially crucial if you suspect the messages are coming from a legitimate campaign that has obtained your number through legal means.
- Block the Number on Your Phone: After sending the opt-out request, proceed to block the number directly on your device. The process may vary slightly depending on your phone's model and operating system. Typically, you can open the messaging app, access the conversation with the unwanted sender, locate and select the "Block" option, and confirm the action. This will prevent any further messages from that specific number.
- Report the Number (Optional): If you suspect the messages are scams or spam, consider reporting the number to your carrier. You can usually do this by forwarding the suspicious message to "SPAM" (7726). Your carrier will investigate the sender and take appropriate action if they identify a known spammer.
- Filter Unknown Senders (Optional): To further reduce unwanted messages, you can adjust your phone settings to filter out unknown senders. This option may be available in your messaging or phone settings. However, keep in mind that this could also block legitimate messages, such as appointment reminders or notifications from unknown numbers.
By following these steps, you can effectively block the numbers sending unwanted political texts. Remember, it's your right to revoke consent and opt out of receiving such messages. Don't hesitate to take control of your inbox and create a more peaceful texting environment.
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Use a call-blocking service
Call-blocking services are an effective way to stop unwanted election-related text messages. While political campaign calls and texts are generally exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry, they must adhere to specific rules outlined by the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
To block unwanted texts, you can use a third-party call-blocking service or app. Phone companies often provide these services, which can proactively block calls from suspicious numbers. Many phone companies also allow customers to block additional numbers by enrolling in a service or installing an app. For example, Verizon offers a Call Filter service that detects and filters spam calls and texts, while T-Mobile offers Scam Shield, an app that features enhanced Caller ID and an extra proxy phone number.
You can also use a call-and-text-blocking app such as Should I Answer, Hiya, or Truecaller. However, keep in mind that these apps may ask for sensitive information. Additionally, you can adjust your phone settings to filter messages from unknown numbers. For iPhones, go to Settings, tap Messages, and turn on "Filter Unknown Senders." For Android devices, navigate to the Messages app, choose the text from the number you want to block, and follow the steps to block the number.
By utilizing these call-blocking services and apps, you can effectively reduce the number of unwanted election-related text messages you receive.
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Change your phone settings to filter out unknown senders
If you're tired of receiving unwanted election-related text messages, you can change your phone settings to filter out unknown senders. Here's how you can do it:
IPhone
To filter out unknown senders on your iPhone, go to Settings > Messages and turn on the Filter Unknown Senders option. This will send messages from unknown senders to a separate tab or folder within the Messages app, allowing you to easily distinguish them from messages sent by your contacts.
Additionally, you can use third-party apps to enhance spam filtering on your iPhone. For example, SpamHound is a free iOS app that works alongside the built-in Messages app to filter out SMS spam based on keywords and other factors. You can also create blocklist and allowlist rules to customize your filtering preferences. Another option is SMS Spam Stopper, a paid iOS app that uses artificial intelligence to detect and block spam messages.
Android
On Android devices, you can enable spam protection within the Messages app to filter out potential spam messages. Open the Messages app, tap the profile icon in the upper right corner, select Messages Settings > Spam protection, and turn on the Enable spam protection switch. Your phone will then alert you if an incoming message is suspected of being spam.
Alternatively, you can use third-party apps like RoboKiller, which is available for both iOS and Android. RoboKiller analyzes the phone number, content, and attachments of incoming messages to identify and block spam.
By adjusting your phone settings and utilizing available tools and apps, you can effectively filter out unknown senders and reduce the number of unwanted election-related text messages you receive.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to block election texts. You can reply "STOP", “STOPALL”, “ENDALL”, or “CANCEL” to the message. You can also block the number manually on your phone. Additionally, you can change your phone settings to filter out all unknown senders. If you are still receiving spam texts and calls, you can use a call-blocking app like Robokiller or NoMoRobo.
If you suspect the number is from a scammer, it is better to block and report the number. You can report the number by forwarding the text to 7726 or "SPAM".
Campaign phone calls and text messages are exempt from the federal Do Not Call list. Odds are you gave consent for these messages and didn't even know it. A cyber security expert, Peter Tran, says that somewhere along the line, you almost certainly gave consent. He says that if you have used your number in any type of online ordering, marketing, or social media platform, you may have given consent in the fine print of the end-user agreement.
