How to Report Spam Effectively and How to Recognize it

Spam text messages have evolved far beyond simple annoyances. These unwanted texts, often sent by unknown senders, aim to steal your personal or financial information through fake offers, scam texts, and fraudulent links. On your mobile device, one wrong tap can expose sensitive details like your bank account or account number. That’s why it's essential to know how to spot these scams and how to protect yourself.

What are spam text messages?

Spam texts are unsolicited text messages sent to your phone, often pretending to come from legitimate companies. They may urge you to click on suspicious links, respond with personal details, or call an unknown phone number.

Some messages might even appear to come from your own phone number or include a spoofed website link, making them harder to detect. The goal is usually to gain access to your information or trick you into installing harmful apps.

Whether it’s a fake invoice or a “you’ve won a prize” promise, spam text messages are designed to deceive. Some messages might offer incredible deals, claim to be from your bank, or notify you of fake account problems. These scam texts are not just spam—they’re a risk to your identity and security. Spam text messages trick consumers into providing personal data to criminals.

Recognizing fake text messages

Understanding how to recognize these fake messages is your first defense. A common sign of spam is receiving a message from an unknown sender or a number that looks suspicious. Scammers often use urgency to prompt people to act without thinking, telling you to act fast or face consequences like locked accounts.

Legitimate companies rarely ask for personal or financial information through text. If you see links that don’t match the company's website, requests for sensitive data, or strange formatting, you’re probably looking at a scam. Messages that start group conversations with unknown numbers are also a red flag.

The golden rule: if the message asks for personal details, stop and verify before taking action. If you receive an unsolicited text asking for personal information, do not click on any links. The information you share is not the information a legitimate business would ask for in a text message.

How to block spam and filter messages

Most smartphones and messaging apps now include ways to block unwanted text messages and filter unwanted texts. When you receive an unwanted text, you can usually tap and hold the message and choose “block” or "report junk." Some devices allow you to automatically filter messages from unknown senders or add them to a blocked contacts list.

For those who receive a high volume of spam, a call blocking app can provide an extra layer of protection. These apps allow you to block calls and messages from unknown senders and similar messages that follow spam-like patterns.

Belfabriek offers intelligent spam filtering solutions for business numbers, ensuring that spam calls are stopped before they reach your team or customers.

How to report spam text messages

Reporting spam is not just helpful—it’s part of a larger effort to stop scammers. You can forward the spam text to 7726 (SPAM), a free service supported by most wireless providers. This helps flag the spammer's phone number for investigation. If you receive a spam text, do not reply or forward it, but delete it.

You can also report unwanted text messages through your wireless provider’s app or website. Many messaging apps have built-in reporting options that allow you to mark messages as spam or junk. If you’ve accidentally shared personal or financial details, it's wise to alert your bank and consider filing a report with your country’s consumer protection agency.

The Telephone Consumer Protection Act helps protect users by making unsolicited marketing texts without prior consent illegal. By reporting violations, you help enforce these regulations.

Read more about how to report spam calls effectively by visiting our guide here.

How Belfabriek helps you stay safe

Businesses that rely on Belfabriek benefit from smarter call routing, spam prevention, and secure communication channels that protect both staff and customers from scams and identity theft. By integrating call filtering features into your workflow, our platform helps you stay one step ahead of the spammers.

Final thoughts

Spam text messages are not just a nuisance—they can be dangerous. Recognizing the signs of a scam, blocking unwanted messages, and reporting suspicious texts are essential steps in keeping your information safe. With the right tools and awareness, you can reduce the risk of identity theft, protect your personal data, and stop scammers from reaching your phone.

Belfabriek is dedicated to helping businesses maintain safety and vigilance online and in their communications by filtering out unwanted text messages, blocking spam, and ensuring secure interactions. Learn more about safety and protection here.