How To Block Text Messages From Unknown Numbers (NEW)

Are You Getting Text Messages From Unknown Senders?

Scam and spam text messages are flooding American phones. During the first half of 2022 alone, Americans received more than 66 billion robotexts and spam messages [*].

But unwanted text messages aren’t just an annoyance — responding to an unknown number can put you at risk of identity theft, fraud, or phone hacking. Texts were one of the top contact methods for scammers in 2023, with victims losing an average of $1,000 [*]. 

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) [*]:

Americans lost $372 million to fraudulent texts in 2023 alone — a 12% increase from the year before.  

In this guide, we’ll explain how to block text messages from unknown numbers and we’ll share tips on how to protect your phone from spam and scam text messages.

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7 Ways To Block Text Messages From Unknown Numbers

There are options available to you for blocking spam and scam text messages. Here are seven ways that you can keep unwanted messages out of your iOS or Android phone’s inbox:

1. Use an AI-powered Call Assistant
2. Manually block phone numbers on your device
3. Filter spam texts from unknown senders
4. Enable your carrier’s spam-blocking app
5. Use a third-party app to block spam texts
6. Block callers in WhatsApp, Telegram, and other messaging apps
7. Add your number to the Do Not Call Registry

1. Use an AI-powered Call Assistant

Artificial intelligence (AI) is being used everywhere — even to protect your phone from fake text messages. 

Aura’s AI-powered Call Assistant provides spam call protection for iPhones on T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon (Call Assistant for Android devices is coming soon).

Call Assistant verifies whether a sender is contacting you from a known spam number, has included a dangerous link, or follows similar patterns to other spam and scam messages. Any messages that Call Assistant determines could be spam (or dangerous) are automatically routed to your device’s junk folder.

Here’s how Aura’s AI-powered Call Assistant helps protect you against spam and scams:

• Filters out spam and scam text messages. Aura scans incoming text messages for common scam language, dangerous links, and known spam numbers. Any potentially dangerous message is sent to your junk folder. 
• Automatically screens unknown callers. Aura’s Call Assistant picks up unknown or unwanted calls, and screens them for spam or scams. Only legitimate calls will be forwarded to you (appointments, deliveries, emergencies, etc.).
• Blocks spam calls and phone scams. Phone scams cost Americans billions of dollars last year [*]. Aura uses industry-leading tools to automatically block known and new spam callers. 

2. Manually block phone numbers on your device

Whenever you receive a text message from an unknown caller or one that you suspect is spam, you should add the number to your phone’s block list. This is one of the only ways to stop additional spam texts from hitting your inbox.

If you discover that any blocked callers are actually legitimate, you can always unblock their numbers and start receiving their calls and texts. 

How to block texts on your Android device (Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, etc.):

• First, open the Messages app and find the spam text message that you want to block. 
• Then, long press on the message. 
• Tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner of the screen, and tap “Block.”
• On the pop-up menu, check the “Report spam” box, and then tap “OK.”

How to block texts on your iOS device (iPhone and iPad):

• First, open your iMessages app and find the spam text message that you want to block. 
• Then, tap on the sender’s phone number or email address at the top of the screen.
• Next, tap the info button.
• On the next screen, select “block this caller.”
• Alternatively, you can open the text conversation, scroll to the bottom, tap “Report Junk” and then tap “Delete and Report Junk.”

To unblock a number: Go to “Settings” > “Messages” > and then “Blocked Contacts.”

💡 Related: How To (Finally) Stop Unwanted Texts on iPhones →

3. Filter spam texts from unknown senders

Both Apple and Android devices will also let you filter out messages from people you don’t know or who aren’t on your contacts list. This is similar to how email service providers filter potential spam emails to your junk folder. 

Once you enable spam text filtering, any message from an unknown number will go to a separate inbox (and you won’t receive a notification). You can still check these messages, but they won’t be mixed in with your legitimate messages.

How to filter spam texts on your Android device:

• First, open the Messages app, and click on the Account icon on the right-hand side of the search bar.
• Then, tap on “Messages settings.”
• Scroll down until you see “Spam protection” and make sure it’s enabled.

How to filter texts on your iOS device:

• First, open your Settings app and then scroll down and tap on “Messages.”
• On the next screen, scroll down to “Message Filtering” and enable “Filter Unknown Senders.”

4. Enable your carrier’s spam-blocking app 

Many popular cell phone carriers offer spam-blocking apps that have additional features for blocking unknown callers. 

For example, through AT&T’s Call Protect app, calls from people not in your address book can be sent automatically to voicemail. 

Verizon’s app, called Call Filter, offers basic spam-blocking. Or, you can pay extra for Call Filter Plus to enable spam protection features, like spam number lookups and blocked numbers by category.

For AI-powered protection, consider signing up for Aura’s Call Assistant, which can automatically screen calls, block phone scams, and filter out spam text messages for you.

💡 Related: How To Screen Calls on iPhones (6 Methods) →

5. Use a third-party app to block spam texts

There are dozens of third-party apps that can block texts from unknown numbers. These apps use predictive algorithms and a database of known spam numbers to determine when you’re getting a call or message from a potential scammer. 

Unfortunately, it’s getting easier for scammers to spoof phone numbers, send spam texts via emails, or use other strategies to get around basic spam-blocking tools. That’s why it’s a good idea to go with an AI-powered Call Assistant instead.

💡 Related: How To Block Spam Calls (Android, iOS, and Landlines) →

6. Block callers in WhatsApp, Telegram, and other messaging apps

Creative scammers might attempt to contact you through other messaging apps on your phone, like WhatsApp or Telegram. 

If you get robocalls or suspicious messages through these apps from unknown numbers, don’t respond and immediately block the sender. You can typically access the message-blocking features through the apps’ privacy settings. 

For example, to report a number on WhatsApp:

• Open the chat with the user you want to report.
• Tap on the contact name.
• Tap “Report Contact.”
• Finally, tap “Report And Block.”

💡 Related: The 10 Worst WhatsApp Scams To Avoid in 2023 →

7. Add your number to the Do Not Call Registry

The FTC’s Do Not Call Registry prevents you from getting phone calls and text messages from telemarketers. Unfortunately, scammers don’t care about the FTC and will continue to contact you. 

Still, putting your number on the Do Not Call Registry can help reduce the amount of spam texts you receive. If your number is on the list and you get a marketing text message, you can report it to the FTC. 

How to add your number to the Do Not Call Registry:

• Visit donotcall.org and click on “Register Here.”
• Enter your cell phone number (or landline number) and email address.
• Verify that your information is correct, and click on “Register.”
• Open your email, and click on the message from Register@donotcall.gov.
• Click on the link in the email to complete your registration.

💡 Related: How To Tell If An Email Is From a Scammer →

Why Are You Suddenly Getting Texts From Unknown Numbers?

Fake text messages — also known as “smishing” — are among the most popular tactics used by scammers for a number of reasons.

First off, fraudsters know that you’re more likely to at least look at a text message than you are to answer a call from an unknown person or open a junk email. We’re used to getting text messages from unknown numbers for everything from delivery notifications to fraud alerts.

Secondly, it’s much easier for scammers to impersonate legitimate companies or government agencies via text messages. Through “spoofing” technology, they can trick your caller ID to display a name or number from someone you know and trust — such as Amazon or the IRS. 

Finally, even if only a few people respond to a fake text message, the results are worth it. A 2022 study found that more than 68 million Americans lost money to a scam call in the last 12 months, which is equivalent to roughly $39.5 billion. That’s a 32.5% increase compared to the year before [*].

But this raises the question: how exactly do scammers get access to your phone number, and why are you being targeted? 

Here are a few ways that your cell phone number can end up in the wrong hands:

• Your phone number was leaked in a data breach. Billions of pieces of sensitive information are leaked every year — including phone numbers. If you’re suddenly receiving more spam texts than in the past, you could be the victim of a recent data breach. Use Aura’s free Dark Web scanner to see if you’re at risk.
• Data brokers sold your information to marketers and scammers. Data brokers are companies that collect personal information about you and sell it to marketing and advertising companies in order to make a profit. Aura can automatically request that data brokers remove your personal information. 
• You published your phone number on your social media profile. If your phone number is included on your social media profiles (like Instagram or Facebook), it’s easy for scammers to find. To avoid getting scam text messages, it’s best to hide your phone number from these accounts. However, if your phone number is already published, it’s likely that scammers have already found it.
• You responded to a previous scam text or call. Text scams only work when the victim responds to the message. If you were previously targeted by a scammer and you responded to the call or text, spammers may continue to send you unwanted messages. 

Getting spammed with unsolicited texts and phone calls can be concerning. However, spam texts on their own aren’t dangerous. The risks associated with spam texts occur when you respond. 

💡 Related: What Happens If You Call Back a Spam Number? →

How To Reduce the Amount of Spam Texts You Receive

• Never respond to spam texts or click on links. Don’t engage with scammers — even if you’re frustrated. Simply responding with “STOP” can tell them that you’re a viable target, which means you’ll start receiving even more spam. 
• Remove your contact details from data broker lists. If you’re getting spam texts, it’s possible that a data broker has your number. When you use Aura’s data broker removal service, Aura automatically sends requests to brokers on your behalf to have your information deleted. 
• Clean up your social media profiles. It’s easy for hackers to get personal information like your cell phone number and email address from your social media profiles. To protect yourself, consider removing your contact information from your accounts on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
• Try not to give out your primary phone number. Think twice before you give out your primary cell phone number. When submitting forms or making an online purchase, use Google Voice (or a similar tool) to get an alternative phone number. This will make it harder for hackers to get access to your real phone number.
• Secure your online accounts with strong passwords and 2FA. When creating or changing passwords for online accounts, choose strong passwords with a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and characters. You should also enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible. This makes it much harder for scammers to hack into your accounts.  
• Use Safe Browsing tools to warn you of fake websites. Sophisticated hackers can create websites that look legitimate but are actually used to “phish” for your personal information. To avoid this, install Safe Browsing tools like the ones included with every Aura identity theft protection plan. These tools can alert you of potentially dangerous or fake websites. 
• File complaints with the FCC and FTC. If you’re constantly receiving spam texts or phone calls, you can file a formal complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the FTC. Filing a complaint won’t solve your immediate problem; but complaints are used to help law enforcement investigate and prosecute scammers and end shady business practices. 

💡 Related: How To Identify a Fake Text Message Scam (With Examples) →

The Bottom Line: Don’t Get Scammed by Unwanted Texts

Text message scams aren’t dangerous on their own, but replying to a suspicious text can put you at risk. 

Scammers know how to trick you into thinking an unfamiliar text is simply a wrong number or a legitimate request from a person or company you know. Either way, once you start replying, hackers have sneaky ways of obtaining your sensitive information. 

For added security, consider signing up for Aura’s all-in-one digital security solution. Aura uses AI-powered tools to protect you and your family against spam texts, scammers, fraudsters, and identity thieves. 

And if the worst should happen, you can rest easy knowing you have 24/7 support from Aura’s team of U.S.-based White Glove Fraud Resolution Specialists and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance coverage for every adult member on your Aura plan. 

Protect yourself from scams, spam & online threats. Try Aura free for 14 days.