Simone Lawson
Political campaign calls and texts are a common occurrence during election season, and they can be a nuisance for many people. While it may seem like your cell phone is bombarded with unsolicited messages from various campaigns, there are ways to reduce or stop these unwanted communications. In this article, we will discuss the methods you can use to get your cell phone off political campaign lists and protect your personal space from unwanted intrusions. We will also explore the tactics used by campaigns to obtain your phone number and provide tips on how to prevent your number from falling into the wrong hands. By following the advice in this article, you can take back control of your inbox and minimize the number of unwanted political messages you receive.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How do political campaigns get your phone number? | You may have willingly handed over your phone number when registering with a political party or a voting-related organization. |
| Your phone number may have been obtained from a guest list for an event you attended. | |
| Your phone number may have been shared by other service providers if you have used your number in any type of online ordering, marketing, or social media platform. | |
| How to stop receiving political campaign messages | Reply with "STOP", "STOPALL", "ENDALL", or "CANCEL". |
| Block the number and report it by forwarding the message to "7726" or "SPAM". | |
| Change your phone settings to filter out all unknown senders or text messages from anyone not in your contact list. | |
| Download third-party apps to block suspected spam calls. | |
| Contact your cellphone provider to see what they recommend doing about these texts. |
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What You'll Learn
Reply stop to unsubscribe
If you're tired of receiving endless political text messages, you're not alone. In 2022, Americans received a record 15 billion political texts, and 2024 is expected to be even higher. The good news is that there are several steps you can take to reduce or stop these unwanted messages.
First, it's important to understand how political campaigns obtained your phone number in the first place. They could have gotten it from various sources, such as voter registration information, guest lists for events you attended, or even your online activities, such as ordering, marketing, or social media platforms. To prevent your number from falling into the wrong hands, be cautious when giving it out. Consider using a landline or a workplace phone number instead if you're unsure how the information will be used.
Now, let's discuss how to unsubscribe from these messages. If you're receiving text messages from legitimate political campaigns, simply replying "STOP" should do the trick. Campaigns are required to honor opt-out requests, and most will remove you from their contact list when you send this keyword. You can also try other keywords like "STOPALL," "ENDALL," or "CANCEL." Blocking the number after replying "STOP" is a good idea, as it will prevent further messages from coming through.
Additionally, you can adjust your phone settings to filter out unknown senders or messages from people not in your contact list. Contacting your cellphone provider for recommendations is also a good option, as some providers are actively trying to keep tabs on political campaigns. If you suspect the messages are scam or spam, you can report them by forwarding the text to "7726" or "SPAM." This will alert your carrier, who can investigate and block known spammers.
While these steps should significantly reduce unwanted political texts, it's important to note that political campaigns are exempt from the Do Not Call list. So, you may still receive manually typed messages from real people, even after unsubscribing. To completely avoid these messages, you might consider changing your phone number or using a different form of communication.
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Block the number
If you're receiving unwanted calls from political campaigns on your cell phone, there are several ways to block the number and put a stop to the nuisance.
The first step is to identify the number that is calling you. Once you have the number, you can proceed to block it. On an iPhone, open the Phone app and tap on 'Recents'. Find the number you want to block and tap the 'Info' button next to it. Scroll down and tap 'Block Caller'. You can also add this number to your 'Blocked Contacts' list by going to Settings > Apps > Phone > Blocked Contacts > Add New.
For Android users, the process may vary slightly depending on the device. Generally, you should be able to open your Phone app, tap 'Call History', and then tap the call from the number you want to block. From there, you can tap 'Block/Report Spam'. You can also manage your blocked numbers by going to Settings > Blocked Numbers.
Additionally, you can explore call-blocking apps or services. For example, the AT&T Call Protect app allows you to block numbers by entering the number or selecting from your contacts. Other apps like Robokiller, Nomorobo, and Do Not Respond are designed to block telemarketers, robocallers, and text spammers.
Another option is to register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry. By visiting DoNotCall.gov, you can register up to three numbers at once, and it typically takes about 31 days for sales calls to stop.
It's worth noting that blocking a number will usually send their calls straight to voicemail, and they may still be able to leave a voicemail. Additionally, while blocking a number will stop calls from a specific number, it may not always catch scammers who use fake or "spoofed" numbers. In such cases, call-blocking technology and call labeling can be helpful, as they can identify potential spam or scam calls.
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Filter messages from unknown senders
If you're tired of receiving endless messages from political campaigns, there are a few steps you can take to filter out messages from unknown senders and regain some peace of mind. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you reduce the influx of unwanted messages:
Understand the Source of the Messages
First, it's important to understand how political campaigns obtain your phone number. In some cases, you may have willingly provided your contact information when registering with a political party or voting-related organization. This could be during events like offering transportation to polls, and you might have even given them specific permission to contact you about campaigns. Additionally, when using your phone number for online ordering, marketing, or social media platforms, you might unknowingly give consent for your number to be shared with other service providers.
Revoke Consent
According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), political campaigns are generally required to obtain your prior express consent before sending text messages to your mobile phone. If you receive unwanted messages, you have the right to revoke your consent at any time. Simply replying "STOP," "STOPALL," "ENDALL," or "CANCEL" is usually effective in opting out of their contact list.
Filter Unknown Senders
Most messaging platforms offer settings to filter messages from unknown senders. For example, on iPhones, you can enable the ""Filter Unknown Senders" option in your Messages settings. This feature turns off notifications from senders who aren't in your contacts and sorts those messages into a separate "Unknown Senders" tab. While this feature used to silence notifications as well, that functionality was dropped with iOS 14. However, it's still a useful tool to keep your main inbox free from unwanted messages.
Block and Report
If you suspect that the messages are coming from scammers or spammers, it's best to block and report the number. Replying "STOP" to a scammer indicates an active number, so blocking and reporting the number is a safer option. You can forward suspicious messages to 7726 (SPAM) to report them to your carrier, who will investigate the sender. Additionally, if you believe a message violates FCC rules, you can file an informal complaint on their website.
Use Call-Blocking Services
Consider utilizing call-blocking services like Robokiller, which can help reduce the number of unwanted messages you receive. These services use various techniques to identify and block spam messages, giving you an extra layer of protection.
Be Cautious of Links
Never click on links in messages from unknown senders, as they may contain malware or direct you to fraudulent websites. Always exercise caution and refrain from interacting with suspicious content.
By following these steps, you can effectively filter messages from unknown senders, particularly those related to political campaigns. While you may not be able to stop all messages, implementing these strategies will significantly reduce the clutter in your inbox.
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Report spam by forwarding to 7726
Political campaign phone calls and texts are exempt from the Do Not Call list. Campaigns need to have your prior consent to send these messages, unless they are manually typed in by a real person. Most are sent by "`auto-dial` technology, which can send thousands of messages at a time. If you are receiving texts that you didn't ask for, you can report the sender by forwarding the texts to 7726 (which spells out "SPAM" on a standard phone keypad). This free service is available in Canada, the UK, and the US.
Here's how to report spam by forwarding it to 7726:
- Do not click on any links in the message.
- Tap the message to open the conversation.
- Press and hold the message you want to forward.
- From the menu that appears, select "Forward" or an arrow icon.
- Enter 7726 in the "To:" field.
- Press "Send".
Your phone carrier may respond and ask for the number associated with the spam text. Provide this number, and it will be marked as spam and blocked from sending you further messages.
In addition to reporting spam, you can also block the number and filter out messages from anyone not in your contact list. You can also revoke consent by replying "stop" to a text or asking not to be called again on a voice call.
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File an informal complaint with the FCC
If you're tired of receiving endless political calls and texts, you can file an informal complaint with the FCC. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:
Understanding the Issue:
First, it's important to know that political campaign phone calls and texts are generally exempt from the National Do Not Call list. However, this doesn't mean you're powerless to stop them. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) outlines specific rules that campaigns must follow when making these communications.
Knowing Your Rights:
According to the FCC, political robocalls to landlines are allowed without prior consent, but there is a limit of no more than three calls within any consecutive 30-day period. For calls and texts to mobile phones, including cell phones and pagers, prior express consent is required. This means that you must have agreed to receive these communications, either explicitly or implicitly.
Recognizing Violations:
If you're receiving an excessive number of political robocalls or texts, or if you never gave your consent to receive them, your rights may have been violated. Pay attention to whether the communications are being sent manually by a real person or through autodialing technology. Manual messages can be sent without prior consent, but autodialed messages require your consent.
Taking Action:
Now, for the part you've been waiting for—filing the complaint. Here's how to do it:
- Online: Filing a complaint online is the quickest and most effective method. Visit fcc.gov/complaints to submit your complaint. Make sure to include as much detail as possible, such as the nature of the violation, the frequency of the calls or texts, and any relevant dates and times.
- Phone: If you prefer to make a phone call, you can reach the FCC at 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) for English or 1-844-432-2275 for ASL video calls.
- Mail: For those who prefer a more traditional approach, you can send a letter to the following address: Federal Communications Commission Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division, 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554. Remember to include your name, address, contact information, and a detailed description of your complaint.
What Happens Next:
After you've filed your complaint, the FCC will review it. In some cases, they may not have the authority to resolve individual complaints directly. However, they can provide additional resources and guide you through next steps, including directing you to other agencies that may have jurisdiction over your specific issue. Your complaint contributes to federal enforcement and consumer protection efforts, helping to identify trends and track issues that affect consumers nationwide.
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Frequently asked questions
If you are receiving messages from a legitimate source, replying "STOP" should remove you from their contact list. You can also block the number and filter out messages from unknown senders in your phone settings.
If you continue to receive messages after opting out, you can file an informal complaint with the FCC at fcc.gov/complaints. You can also contact your phone company to learn more about call-blocking and labeling solutions.
Your phone number may have been obtained from a variety of sources, including voter registration information, guest lists for events, or end-user agreements when using your number for online ordering or social media.
To keep your phone number from falling into the wrong hands, be cautious when giving it out. If you are unsure how the information will be used, consider providing an alternative number, such as a landline or workplace phone number.
Legitimate political campaign messages will typically include identification information, such as the name of the individual or entity initiating the call or text. Be cautious of messages that include suspicious links or ask for money on unknown sites, as these may be scams.
