Stop Campaign Texts: Regain Your Peace With These Simple Steps

Political text messages can be a nuisance, especially during election season. In October 2020, Americans received over 13 billion texts related to campaigns. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution to stop campaign texts, there are several measures you can take to limit their frequency. This includes being aware of text message opt-ins when entering your phone number online and revoking consent by replying STOP to any unwanted messages. You can also report unwanted texts by forwarding them to 7726 or SPAM, blocking the sender, or filing an informal complaint with the FCC. Additionally, you can enable spam protection on your phone or use services that allow you to create burner email addresses.

How to stop campaign texts

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Why you receive campaign texts

Political campaigns are increasingly relying on text messages as a preferred mode of communication. Texting is surpassing traditional methods like mailers or phone calls because of its relatively low cost and high engagement rates. As the 2024 election approaches, political campaigns are vying for attention, donations, and votes, and texting has proven to be an effective way to reach large numbers of people.

There are a few common ways that political campaigns obtain your phone number. Firstly, voter registration data, including name, address, birth year, voting history, and phone numbers, are often part of public information lists that registered voters on behalf of a campaign can request and pay for. This information is meant to be used for purposes related to elections, political activities, or law enforcement. Secondly, if you are registered with a political party or affiliated with a voting-related organization, you may have provided your phone number, even if you didn't realize it at the time. For example, you may have given them permission to text you about upcoming campaigns or participated in an online poll. Additionally, campaigns often engage in list swapping, where they exchange contact information with other companies, fundraising organizations, or data brokers. Once your number is on one of these lists, you may receive texts from groups you did not directly opt into.

It's important to note that political campaigns are required to obtain your consent before sending automated messages, and they must respect your opt-out requests when you reply with "STOP." However, this only applies to legitimate campaigns, and scammers may continue to send texts even after you opt out. To protect yourself, it's recommended to treat political texts as alerts and avoid clicking links or interacting with them unless you can verify their legitimacy.

How to block campaign texts

Political campaign text messages are a common issue, especially during election season. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, there are several steps you can take to reduce the number of unwanted campaign texts you receive. Here are some methods to try:

Reply with "STOP"

Replying with "STOP" to the sender is a common method to opt out of receiving further messages. While this may not always be effective, as some campaigns may not honour this request, it is worth trying. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has stated that if a campaign does not respect your request to stop, you can take further action.

Block the Number

After replying "STOP", you can then block the number to prevent further messages from that specific sender. This can be done through your phone's settings, usually under the "Messages" or "Blocking" options.

Filter Unknown Senders

You can adjust your phone settings to filter out text messages from unknown senders or anyone not in your contact list. This can be a helpful way to reduce the clutter in your inbox, but it may also result in missing legitimate messages, such as reminders for appointments or deliveries.

Donate Directly

If you are interested in supporting a particular candidate, consider donating directly through their official website. This can help slow down the number of texts you receive from that campaign, as they may no longer see the need to solicit donations from you.

Report and Complain

If you continue to receive unwanted political texts, you can take it a step further by reporting the sender. Forward the text to 7726 ("SPAM") to report it to the FCC. You can also file a formal complaint with the FCC or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) if you feel your rights have been violated.

While it may not be possible to completely stop all campaign texts, especially with the current exemptions in place, taking a combination of these steps can significantly reduce their frequency and impact on your daily life.

How to report campaign texts

Political campaign-related autodialed or prerecorded voice calls, including autodialed live calls, autodialed texts, and prerecorded voice messages, are prohibited to cell phones, pagers, or other mobile devices without the called party's prior express consent. However, political campaign phone calls and texts are exempt from the Do Not Call list.

If you are receiving unwanted campaign texts, you can report them by:

• Texting STOP to the message. This works if the sender is a legitimate business or organization because they must comply with the law. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) can fine them if they don't stop harassing you.
• Contacting the Federal Election Commission (FEC) if you believe a violation of federal election campaign laws or FEC regulations has occurred or is about to occur. The Commission reviews every complaint filed. If the Commission finds that a violation occurred, possible outcomes can range from a letter reiterating compliance obligations to a conciliation agreement, which may include a monetary civil penalty. All FEC enforcement matters are kept confidential until they are resolved. By law, all complaints must be made in writing and must provide the full name and address of the person filing the complaint.
• Forwarding the text to 7726 (SPAM). This helps your wireless provider spot and block similar messages in the future.
• Reporting it on the messaging app you use. Look for the option to report junk or spam.
• Filing a complaint with the FCC if you believe you have received an illegal text or if you think you're the victim of a spoofing scam.
• Contacting the company using a phone number or website you know is real if you think the message might be real.

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How to opt-out of campaign texts

If you're tired of receiving endless campaign texts, there are several measures you can take to opt out and limit their frequency. Firstly, it's important to understand why you're getting them. Political campaigns may have accessed your information through voter registration lists, which are public records in many states. These lists contain your phone number, address, and other personal details. Additionally, if you've donated to a campaign, signed up for updates, or are affiliated with a political party or voting-related organization, you may have unknowingly given them permission to text you.

To opt out of campaign texts, the most common method is to simply reply "STOP" to the message. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), legitimate campaigns should honor opt-out requests. However, you may need to reply "STOP" multiple times if you're receiving texts from various campaigns or different numbers. Replying "STOP" will eventually reduce the number of texts you receive, but it may not stop them completely.

Another option is to block the sender or forward the text to 7726 or "SPAM." This is especially recommended if the sender seems suspicious or sketchy. By forwarding the text, you're reporting the sender to the FCC, and they can investigate whether the texts comply with their rules. If you believe you're receiving texts that don't follow FCC regulations, you can also file an informal complaint through the FCC's website or by mail.

To further limit unwanted campaign texts, be cautious about providing your phone number. Consider using burner email addresses or creating a separate email address specifically for political engagement. Additionally, review your phone settings, as many smartphones have features to filter messages from unknown senders. While this won't stop the texts, it will prevent them from appearing in your inbox.

How to identify scam campaign texts

With the constant evolution of technology, scammers are finding new ways to target unsuspecting people. One of the most common methods is through text messages, which can be disguised as being from a legitimate company or organization. Here are some ways to identify scam campaign texts:

Be Wary of Unsolicited Texts

If you receive an unsolicited text message, especially from an unknown sender, be cautious. Scammers often send fake text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information, such as passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. They may also try to install malware on your device by including malicious links in the text. It is best to avoid clicking on any links or providing any personal information in response to such texts.

Check the Sender's Information

Scammers often use long numbers or random phone numbers that look realistic. They may also use shortcodes that are different from the official ones used by legitimate organizations. For example, banks usually have dedicated text message shortcodes, so be sure to save this information to easily identify scam texts.

Beware of Offers That Sound Too Good to Be True

Scammers often lure people in by offering free prizes, gift cards, or refunds. They may claim that you've been overcharged for a service and offer a refund if you provide your bank details. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Look Out for a Sense of Urgency

Scam text messages often create a sense of urgency to prompt you to act quickly without thinking. They may claim that your account has been compromised or that you'll be charged a large fee if you don't respond immediately. Legitimate organizations usually provide multiple ways to address such issues and won't pressure you to act instantly.

Verify the Authenticity

If you're unsure about a text, try to verify its authenticity. For example, if you receive a text claiming to be from your bank, contact the bank using a phone number or website you know is genuine. Most organizations have official channels through which you can report and verify text messages. Additionally, you can use a search engine to look up the phone number or text content to see if others have reported it as a scam.

Remember, it's always better to be cautious than to fall victim to a scam. If something feels off about a text message, trust your instincts and take the necessary steps to protect yourself.

Frequently asked questions