Eleanor Finch
Political text messages can be a nuisance, especially during election season. While the exact reasons for receiving them vary, it often boils down to the fact that political campaigns are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry. Additionally, scammers sell lists of real phone numbers to other scam groups for profit, and replying to spam messages can confirm your number as legitimate. To reduce the number of political texts, you can reply STOP, report the sender by forwarding texts to 7726 or SPAM, or take advantage of your phone's built-in spam filter.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Consent | Political campaigns do not need to comply with the Do Not Call Registry, but they should have your permission before contacting you. |
| Opt-out | Replying "STOP" should stop the texts if the sender is a legitimate business or organization. |
| Scams | Scammers sell lists of real phone numbers to other scam groups for profit. They may be hoping for a reply to confirm your number is legitimate. |
| Voter registration | You may have provided your number when registering to vote. Anyone can access Oregon's voter registration lists, which include phone numbers. |
| Donations | You may have inadvertently agreed to share your phone number with third parties when donating to a campaign. |
| Legislation | The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) contains specific rules that political campaigns must follow. |
| Reporting | Texts can be reported by forwarding them to 7726 or SPAM. |
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What You'll Learn
Political campaigns are exempt from the National Do Not Call list
The reason for this exemption is that political campaigns are not considered telemarketing or commerce. Instead, they fall under free speech, and restricting them would impinge on First Amendment rights. However, this exemption has been exploited by scammers, who know that political campaigns can reach any number on the Do Not Call list. As a result, scammers sell lists of real phone numbers to other scammer groups for profit, leading to an increase in spam texts and calls.
While political campaigns are exempt from the National Do Not Call list, there are still rules they must follow. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) outlines specific regulations for political robocalls and robotexts. In general, political campaigns must obtain prior express consent from the recipient before sending robocalls or robotexts to mobile phones. This consent can be given in any reasonable manner, such as replying "STOP" to a text or asking not to be called again on a voice call. Political campaigns are also required to honor opt-out requests.
It's important to note that manually sent text messages can be sent without prior consent. This distinction between autodialed and manually dialed texts is essential for understanding the regulations. Additionally, political robocalls made to residential landlines without prior consent are limited to no more than three calls within any consecutive 30-day period.
If you are receiving unwanted political texts, you can report them by forwarding the messages to 7726 or "SPAM." You can also file an informal complaint with the FCC if you believe the texts violate their rules. While it may be challenging to completely stop receiving political texts, taking these actions can help reduce the number of unsolicited messages you receive.
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You may have inadvertently opted in
If you are receiving political texts, you may have inadvertently opted in. This could have happened in several ways. Firstly, registering to vote sends your voter information to your state, which then becomes accessible to political campaigns and voting organizations. If you are registered with a political party or affiliated with a voting-related organization, you may have provided your contact details without realizing it. For instance, you may have given them permission to contact you about upcoming campaigns, either by writing down your phone number or texting them a specific keyword.
Another way you may have inadvertently opted in is by agreeing to share your phone number with third parties. This could have occurred when you used your number for online ordering, marketing, or social media platforms, as end-user agreements may include fine print allowing them to share your information with other service providers. Additionally, if you have used your number for any type of online service, there is a chance that your information has been exposed to data breaches, which can result in unwanted texts.
To reduce the number of political texts you receive, you can change your phone settings to filter out unknown senders. However, this may cause you to miss important text reminders from senders who are not in your contacts. Alternatively, you can use a call-and-text-blocking app or manually block numbers that are sending you political texts. If you wish to stop receiving texts from a particular campaign, you can reply "STOP," and legitimate campaigns should honor your request to opt out. You can also report unwanted political texts as spam by forwarding them to 7726.
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Scammers sell lists of real phone numbers
One of the reasons you may be receiving political texts is that scammers sell lists of real phone numbers to other scam groups for a profit. Scammers have various ways of obtaining phone numbers. For example, they can buy your phone number and other personal information on the Dark Web. They can also steal your phone number by taking mail from your mailbox or local collection boxes. Another way is to obtain your contact information from public records and data brokers. If you have answered or responded to previous phone scams, your contact information could be on a "target list" that scammers buy and sell to each other.
Scammers also use a trick called "spoofing" to identify potential targets. They fake or "spoof" caller ID information, and if you answer the phone and say "hello", they will hang up and document that your number is a legitimate phone number to add to their lists to sell. They can also use this method to confirm that your number is working if you reply "STOP" to a political text.
To avoid receiving spam and scam calls, you can register your number on the National Do Not Call List. Legitimate telemarketers will then avoid calling your number. However, this will not stop calls from scammers making illegal calls. To avoid being targeted by scammers, it is best to not answer calls from unknown numbers. You can also use call-blocking and call-labeling services, such as those offered by Google and Samsung. Additionally, you can try to remove your personal information from the internet and data broker lists.
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Manual messages can be sent without prior consent
Political text messages have become increasingly common, with many people reporting receiving a high volume of such messages. While it can be annoying to be bombarded with these messages, it is important to understand the regulations surrounding them to better protect yourself.
Firstly, it is essential to distinguish between manual and automated political text messages. Manual messages are those sent by an individual, while automated messages are sent using an autodialer or prerecorded voice system. The rules governing these two types of messages differ slightly.
For automated political text messages, prior express consent from the recipient is required. This means that the sender must have explicit permission from the recipient to send these messages. However, there is an exception for automated messages sent to landline telephones, which do not require prior consent.
On the other hand, manual political text messages can be sent without prior consent. This means that individuals can send political text messages to numbers they have obtained without first getting permission from the recipients. This is because text messages are considered transactions similar to phone calls and are covered under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). While this allows for manual messages to be sent without prior consent, it is important to note that recipients have the right to opt out of receiving further messages.
If you are receiving unwanted political text messages, you can take several steps to stop them. Firstly, you can reply "STOP" to the message, which should result in the sender honoring your request to opt out. Additionally, you can report the sender by forwarding the text to 7726 or "SPAM." If the messages continue or do not comply with FCC rules, you can file an informal complaint with the FCC at fcc.gov/complaints.
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How to stop political texts
If you're tired of receiving endless political text messages, you're not alone. Political text messages have proliferated since a 2021 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that loosened consent requirements for them. While there is no one-stop solution to halt all political texts, there are several measures you can take to reduce their frequency. Here are some strategies to stop receiving political texts:
Withdraw Your Consent
If you have previously provided consent to receive political texts, you can revoke it at any time. Simply replying "STOP" to the text messages is a straightforward way to opt out. This method is effective if the sender is a legitimate business or organization that complies with the law. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) can fine them if they continue sending messages after you have revoked your consent.
Report and Block Senders
If replying "STOP" doesn't work, you can take further action. Report unwanted political texts by forwarding them to 7726 or "SPAM." This number is dedicated to receiving and addressing spam text messages. Additionally, you can block the sender's number to prevent further messages from reaching your phone.
Adjust Your Phone Settings
Utilize your phone's built-in spam filter to minimize the impact of political texts. On iPhones, go to Settings, tap Messages, scroll down, and toggle "Filter Unknown Senders" to the on position. This will send texts from unknown contacts to a separate inbox. For Android users, open the Messages app, navigate to the Settings menu, and enable "Spam Protection." This feature will help identify and block potential spam messages.
Be Cautious with Your Phone Number
Political organizations often obtain phone numbers through various means, including voter registration lists, donations, or sharing your number with companies that sell or share data with third parties. Be mindful of where and when you provide your phone number. If you're unsure why you're receiving political texts, it's possible you inadvertently agreed to share your number with political groups or their affiliates.
File a Formal Complaint
If the influx of political texts continues despite your efforts, you can take a more formal approach by filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Both organizations provide avenues for individuals to report unwanted and unsolicited text messages. Visit their websites to submit your complaints and include as much detail as possible to facilitate their investigations.
While it may not be possible to eliminate all political texts, especially during election seasons, employing these strategies can significantly reduce their frequency and impact on your daily life. Remember to be vigilant about protecting your personal information, including your phone number, to minimize unwanted solicitations.
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Frequently asked questions
Political campaigns are exempt from the national "Do Not Call" list, and your phone number may be on a list that is being shared or sold to other political campaigns.
It is possible that some political text messages are scams. If you suspect a scam, forward the text to 7726 or "SPAM".
Replying "STOP" should stop legitimate businesses or organizations from sending you political texts. You can also block the number or file a complaint with the FCC.
Yes, you can take advantage of your phone's built-in spam filter or download a third-party spam filter app. You can also avoid sharing your phone number with companies or on voter registration.
