Isabella Carter
With the 2024 election approaching, Americans are receiving a record number of political texts. These messages are often unwanted and can be dangerous, with some containing links to malware or unaffiliated websites. While political campaign phone calls and texts are exempt from the Do Not Call list, there are several ways to reduce the number of voting texts you receive.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of political texts received in 2022 | 50 messages per phone on average |
| How to stop receiving political texts | Reply "STOP", report the sender by forwarding texts to 7726 or "SPAM", block the number, filter out text messages from unknown contacts, be discerning about what you sign up for |
| How to identify scam political texts | Texts include a link that contains malware or directs you to unaffiliated websites |
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What You'll Learn
Reply with STOP
If you're tired of receiving voting texts, simply replying with the word "STOP" can be an effective way to end them. This method works for legitimate businesses or organizations that are required to comply with the law. By responding with "STOP", you are withdrawing your consent for them to contact you, and they should remove you from their messaging list. It's important to note that this approach may not work for all senders, especially those who are not legitimate or who are intentionally disregarding the law.
In addition to replying with "STOP", there are other steps you can take to reduce the number of unwanted voting texts you receive. One option is to report the senders by forwarding the texts to 7726 or "SPAM". This helps identify and crack down on senders who are violating the law. You can also take advantage of your phone's built-in spam filter or blocking features. On iPhones, you can go to Settings > Messages and toggle "Filter Unknown Senders" to enable a separate inbox for messages from people not in your contacts. For Android users, open the Messages app, go to Settings, and enable Spam Protection.
Being mindful of the information you provide when signing up for services or giving out your phone number is another way to reduce unwanted texts. Avoid giving your number to companies unless necessary, and be cautious of pre-checked boxes that give consent for your data to be shared or sold. Additionally, consider limiting who has access to your phone number to reduce the chances of it being used for political messaging.
While these measures can help reduce the number of voting texts you receive, it's important to remain vigilant. Scammers and illegitimate sources may continue to find ways to send unwanted messages. Always exercise caution when receiving texts from unknown senders, and refrain from clicking on links that could be malicious or lead to fraudulent websites. Remember, if you want to support a candidate or cause, it's best to go directly to their official website to ensure your donation reaches the intended recipient.
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Report spam texts by forwarding to 7726
If you are tired of receiving spam texts, you can report them by forwarding them to 7726. This number is a simple and effective way to report spam texts and is available on both Android and iOS devices. 7726 is the shortcode for the GSMA's Spam Reporting Service.
To report spam texts by forwarding them to 7726, follow these steps:
- Tap and hold the message you want to report.
- Select "Forward" or the arrow icon to create a new message draft.
- Type 7726 as the recipient in the "To" field.
- Send the message.
- Your phone carrier may respond and ask for the number associated with the spam text. Reply with the sender's number.
By reporting spam texts, you can help your cellular provider identify new types of smishing and block spam messages for all users. It is important to never reply to spam messages or click on any links within the message. Instead, report and block the sender immediately.
In addition to forwarding spam texts to 7726, you can also take advantage of your phone's built-in spam filter. On iPhones, go to Settings > Messages and toggle on "Filter Unknown Senders." On Android devices, open the Messages app, go to Settings, and enable Spam Protection.
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Block the number
Blocking the number is a straightforward way to stop receiving voting texts. However, it may be less effective if the sender is using multiple numbers. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to block a number on iPhone and Android devices:
For iPhone users:
- Open the Messages app and locate the political text message.
- Tap on the message to open it, then tap on the phone number or contact name at the top of the screen.
- Tap on the "i" information icon. This will open a new menu with options to block the number.
- Tap on "Block this Caller" to prevent further text messages or calls from that number.
Alternatively, you can filter unknown senders on iPhones by following these steps:
- Go to Settings.
- Select "Messages" from the menu.
- Toggle on the "Filter Unknown Senders" option. This will send all messages from unknown senders to a separate tab.
For Android users:
- Open the Messages app.
- Choose the text from the number you want to block.
- Tap on the three dots in the upper right corner, then select "Block number" or "Add to Spam" from the menu.
- On the next screen, you may also choose to report the text as spam.
Blocking the number is an effective way to stop receiving unwanted voting texts, but it may not be a long-term solution as political organizations often use multiple numbers. Additionally, blocking a number does not address the underlying issue of how your phone number was obtained and added to these contact lists in the first place.
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Withdraw consent
Withdrawing consent is an effective way to stop receiving voting texts. Political campaigns are required to obtain prior express consent from the recipient before sending automated text messages. This means that you have the right to revoke your consent at any time and opt out of receiving further messages.
To withdraw your consent, you can reply to the text message with a clear opt-out request. Common opt-out phrases include "STOP", "end", "unsubscribe", "cancel", "quit", or "please opt me out". Sending one of these responses should result in you being unsubscribed from receiving further messages from that particular campaign.
It is important to note that your consent may have been given inadvertently in certain situations, such as when registering to vote or providing your information to a political organization. Voting registration information is often made public, and your phone number may have been obtained from these records. Additionally, if you have made political donations, signed up to receive information from a candidate, or affiliated with a voting-related organization, your consent may have been implied.
To comprehensively withdraw your consent and prevent unwanted voting texts, consider the following steps:
- Identify the source: Determine which political campaign or organization is sending you the text messages. This information should be included in the message itself.
- Reply with a clear opt-out request: Send a concise message, such as "STOP" or "unsubscribe", to the number or reply directly to the message.
- Block the number: If you continue to receive unwanted messages from the same source, consider blocking the number on your device.
- Contact the campaign directly: If the messages persist, you can contact the campaign or organization directly and expressly revoke your consent to receive text messages.
- Report unsolicited messages: If you believe that you have received unsolicited voting texts without providing prior consent, you can report them to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by forwarding the messages to 7726 ("SPAM") or filing an informal complaint on their website.
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Be discerning about what you sign up for
When it comes to avoiding unwanted voting-related texts, it's important to be discerning about what you sign up for. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
Firstly, understand that your voter information is public. When you register to vote, your information is sent to your state and becomes accessible to various organizations. These organizations may then use this information to send you voting-related texts. So, if you're receiving voting texts, you might have willingly provided your contact details, perhaps without realizing it. For instance, if you're registered with a political party or affiliated with a voting-related organization, they may have access to your phone number.
Secondly, be cautious when providing your phone number. If you're signing up for a service or joining an organization, limit who has access to your number. Don't give your number to companies unless it's absolutely necessary. Be vigilant during the sign-up process and ensure that there are no automatically checked boxes giving them permission to sell or share your data.
Additionally, be aware of potential scams. Some unsolicited voting-related texts might be attempts to verify your phone number for future scams or spam. For example, if you receive a text claiming that you aren't registered to vote and providing a link to check your registration status, it's best to avoid clicking the link. Instead, go directly to your county or state elections website to verify your information. This way, you can protect yourself from potential cybersecurity threats.
Lastly, familiarize yourself with the regulations surrounding political text messages. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), political campaigns are prohibited from sending autodialed or prerecorded text messages to cell phones without your prior express consent. However, they are permitted to send such messages to landline telephones. Understanding your rights can help you take appropriate action if you receive unwanted voting texts.
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