Omar Bennett
It's election season, and that means an influx of political text messages urging you to vote or donate to a campaign. While campaign calls and texts are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry, there are ways to reduce the clutter in your inbox. One way is to change your phone settings to filter out unknown senders, but this may cause you to miss important messages like appointment reminders. A more effective method is to simply reply STOP to the text, as legitimate campaign operators are required to remove you from their list upon request. You can also report spam texts by forwarding them to 7726 or SPAM, or by blocking the sender.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to stop receiving political texts | Reply with "STOP" |
| Report the sender by forwarding the text to 7726 or "SPAM" | |
| Delete and report junk | |
| Block the sender | |
| Use the phone's built-in spam filter | |
| Filter out all unknown senders | |
| How to file a complaint | File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) |
| File a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) |
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What You'll Learn
Reply STOP to the sender
If you're tired of receiving endless political text messages, you're not alone. Millions of people across the country are bombarded with these unwanted messages, especially during election seasons. So, what can you do to stop them?
The good news is that there are a few effective ways to reduce the influx of political texts. The first step is to simply reply "STOP" to the sender. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), political text messages sent to a mobile phone using an autodialer require the recipient's prior express consent. If you didn't give consent, the sender is obligated to honor your request to revoke it. So, replying "STOP" should do the trick. After replying "STOP", it's a good idea to block the number to ensure you don't receive any further messages from that particular sender.
Additionally, you can take it a step further by changing your phone settings to filter out all unknown senders. This option is available in your phone's "Messages" settings. However, keep in mind that this method may cause you to miss important text reminders from senders who are not in your contact list, such as doctors' appointments or restaurant reservations.
If you continue to receive unwanted political texts, you can take it a step further by reporting the sender. Both the FCC and cyber security experts recommend this course of action. You can do this by forwarding the text to 7726, which spells out the word "SPAM" on your phone keypad. This will help authorities identify and crack down on senders who are violating FCC rules.
By following these steps, you can significantly reduce the number of unwanted political text messages clogging up your inbox and reclaim some much-needed peace and quiet.
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Report the sender by forwarding texts to 7726 or SPAM
If you're tired of receiving political text messages, you can report the sender by forwarding the messages to 7726 (or "SPAM"). This process helps your wireless provider identify and block similar messages in the future. It's important to note that political text messages sent to your mobile phone using an autodialer require your prior express consent. However, messages sent manually can be sent without prior consent.
By reporting political text spammers, you can take back control of your inbox and reduce the clutter of unwanted messages. It's worth mentioning that during election seasons, the volume of political campaign messages tends to increase significantly. These messages often come from candidates or causes that you may not have knowingly shared your phone number with. They might ask for your vote, money, or even attempt to gather your personal information.
To put an end to these intrusive messages, you can take a few simple steps. First, identify the spam messages by looking for common characteristics, such as requests for personal information, promises of free gifts or prizes, or links to unfamiliar websites. Once you've identified a political text as spam, copy the message and forward it to 7726. Alternatively, you can report the message directly through your messaging app by looking for the option to report junk or spam.
Additionally, you can modify your phone settings to filter out unknown senders. This approach can be effective in reducing unwanted messages, but it may also cause you to miss important text reminders for appointments or reservations. Another option is to use call-screening and blocking features offered by your phone's operating system or third-party apps. For example, iPhone users can utilise the \"Call Screen\" feature or download apps like \"Phone by Google\" to avoid unwanted calls and texts.
By taking advantage of the reporting and blocking tools available, you can significantly reduce the number of unwanted political text messages you receive and protect your privacy.
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Change your phone settings to filter out unknown senders
If you're tired of receiving political texts from unknown numbers, you can change your phone settings to filter out these unwanted messages. Here's how you can do it:
IPhone Users:
If you have an iPhone, go to the Settings app, and then tap on "Messages". From the menu, scroll down and look for the "Filter Unknown Senders" option. Toggle this setting on. This will organise your messages by moving messages from people who aren't saved in your contacts into a separate list.
Android Users:
For Android users, the process is slightly different. Open the Messages app and go to Settings. From there, select "Spam protection" and then toggle on "Enable spam protection". This will filter out messages from unknown senders. It's important to note that the exact steps to get to these settings may vary depending on your specific Android phone model.
Other Options:
If you're still receiving political texts after enabling the unknown sender filters, there are a few other things you can try. First, check the political text messages for an opt-out option. Often, you can reply with "STOP" or "unsubscribe" to stop receiving messages from a particular campaign. Just make sure the number is legitimate before responding, as replying to a scam message could result in more spam. If you're still receiving texts after opting out, you can block the number. Additionally, you can report spam texts by forwarding them to 7726, which spells out "SPAM" on your phone keypad.
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File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
If you're tired of receiving unwanted political text messages, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC is the nation's Consumer Protection Agency, and it wants to hear from you if a business doesn't deliver on its promises or if someone cheats you out of your money. While political campaign messages are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry requirements, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) contains specific rules that campaigns must follow.
- Identify the issue: Before filing your complaint, make sure you clearly understand the nature of the issue. In this case, you're dealing with unwanted political text messages.
- Gather information: Collect as much information as possible about the political texts you're receiving. This includes the sender's phone number, the content of the messages, the frequency of the texts, and any responses you've sent requesting to opt out (such as replying "STOP").
- Visit the FTC website: Go to the FTC's website (ftc.gov) to learn more about their complaint process and to file your complaint online.
- Provide details: When filing your complaint, be as detailed as possible. Include the information you gathered about the political texts, the impact they are having on you (such as inconvenience or privacy concerns), and any actions you've taken to stop receiving the messages.
- Include your contact information: Provide your name, phone number, email address, and any other relevant contact information. This will help the FTC reach out to you if they need additional information or clarification.
- Submit your complaint: Follow the instructions on the FTC website to submit your complaint. It's important to note that the FTC typically does not resolve individual consumer complaints, but the information you provide can help them identify patterns of abuse and take action against unlawful practices.
By filing a complaint with the FTC, you can bring attention to the issue of unwanted political text messages and contribute to consumer protection efforts. Your voice can make a difference in shaping the practices of political campaigns and enforcing consumer rights.
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File a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
If you're tired of receiving endless political text messages, you can file an informal complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC allows consumers to file complaints regarding unwanted calls and texts, among other issues. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to file a complaint:
Online:
Filing a complaint online is the quickest and most effective method. Visit the FCC's website at fcc.gov/complaints to submit your complaint. Make sure to include as much detail as possible about the political texts you're receiving, including the sender's information and the content of the messages. You can also report the sender by forwarding the text messages to 7726 ("SPAM") or replying "STOP" to the messages.
By Mail:
If you prefer to mail your complaint, send it to the following address:
> Federal Communications Commission Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
> 45 L Street NE Washington, DC 20554
Include your name, address, contact information, and a detailed description of your complaint. Explain that you're receiving unsolicited political text messages and provide any relevant information, such as the senders' names or organizations and the frequency of the messages.
Phone or ASL Video Call:
You can also file a complaint by calling the FCC at 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) or via ASL Video Call at 1-844-432-2275. When calling, be prepared to provide the same detailed information about your complaint as you would in a written format.
It's important to note that the FCC may not have the authority to resolve every individual complaint. However, by submitting a detailed description of the issue, they can provide additional resources and guide you through possible next steps, including directing you to other agencies that may have jurisdiction over your specific concern.
Remember, political campaigns are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry requirements. However, they must comply with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), which includes rules about obtaining prior express consent before sending text messages to mobile phones. By filing a complaint with the FCC, you can help enforce these rules and reduce the number of unwanted political texts you receive.
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Frequently asked questions
The easiest method is to reply to the text with the word "STOP". If the sender is a legitimate business or organization, they are required to remove you from their list. You can also report the sender by forwarding the texts to 7726 or "SPAM". Alternatively, you can block the sender or change your phone settings to filter out unknown senders.
Campaign phone calls and text messages are exempt from the federal Do Not Call list. This means that registering for the list won't prevent you from receiving political texts. During election season, it is likely that you will receive an increased number of texts from political campaigns.
In the US, political text messages sent to a mobile phone using an autodialer require the called party's prior express consent. Political robocalls and texts must also comply with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the rules set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
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