Here’s the short answer on how to stop spam texts: do three things, in this order. Report the message, block the sender, and turn on your phone’s built-in filter for unknown senders. None of it costs anything, and it takes about five minutes. I tested the steps on an iPhone and a Galaxy phone, and here’s what actually works.
The catch? Scammers change numbers all the time, so blocking one number won’t end the problem. Reporting and filtering are what cut down the flood over time.
Step one: don’t tap, don’t reply
The FTC says to not click links in unexpected texts that ask for personal or financial information. Replying can also mark your number as active, so more spam may follow. If the message could be real, contact the company using a phone number or website you already know, not the one in the text.
How to report spam texts (iPhone and Android)
The FTC lists three ways to report a spam text. Do all three if you can. Each one helps your carrier and the government spot the same scam sooner.
- Forward it to 7726. Press and hold the message, tap Forward, type 7726 (it spells SPAM on your keypad), and send. This helps your wireless carrier block similar messages.
- Use the report button in your messaging app. The steps are below for iPhone and Android.
- Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Do this if you lost money, shared personal details, or just want the text on record.
After you report it, delete the message.
How to stop spam texts on iPhone
Apple has two tools that matter here: a filter for unknown senders and a report option. Apple explains both in its guides to screening and filtering texts and to reporting spam and blocking senders.
Filter unknown senders
- Open Settings, then tap Apps, then Messages. On older versions of iOS, tap Messages right in Settings.
- Tap Unknown & Spam.
- Turn on Filter Unknown Senders.
Texts from people who aren’t in your contacts now go into a separate list, so they don’t buzz your phone all day. Menu names can vary a little by iOS version.
Report and block a sender
- Open the text from the unknown sender.
- If you see Report Junk under the message, tap it, then tap Delete and Report Junk. This works for iMessages. For regular SMS texts, forward the message to 7726 instead.
- To block the number, tap the name or number at the top of the conversation, tap Info, and choose Block this Caller.
How to stop spam texts on Android
Most Android phones use Google Messages. Here’s how to report and block a sender, based on Google’s help page for reporting spam:
- Open Messages.
- Press and hold the conversation you want to report.
- Tap Block, then Report spam, then OK.
You can also open the conversation, tap More options, tap Details, and choose Block & report spam. The conversation moves to your Spam & blocked folder.
Google Messages also has spam protection you can turn on in its settings. Look for Spam protection and switch it on. On a Samsung Galaxy phone that uses Samsung’s own Messages app, open the app, tap the three dots, and look under Settings for the spam and blocked numbers options. Names differ by phone, so use the search box in Settings if you can’t find them.
Spam text scams to watch for right now
Most spam texts want one of two things: your money or your login. These are the kinds the FTC has warned about. Some, like the toll scam, have been going around since early 2025.
| Scam text | What it says | Red flag |
|---|---|---|
| Unpaid toll | “You owe a toll. Pay now or face a fee.” | Pressure to pay through a link |
| Package problem | “Your delivery failed. Update your address.” | You weren’t expecting a package |
| Bank or account alert | “Suspicious activity on your account.” | Asks you to call a number or log in from the text |
| Fake invoice or refund | “Your order was charged. Contact us if this wasn’t you.” | You didn’t buy anything |
| Free prize or gift card | “You won! Claim your reward.” | You never entered a contest |
The FTC’s alert on fake unpaid toll texts says the links lead to phishing pages that ask for your bank or card details. Its advice is the same for all of these: don’t click, contact the agency or company directly through a number you know is real, report the text, and delete it.
What about “STOP” replies?
If a store or company you actually signed up with is sending texts you don’t want, replying STOP is the right move. For texts from strangers, don’t reply at all. Report and block instead.
Spam calls too?
If your phone also rings all day, see our guide to the best free spam call blocker apps. For more tips, browse our security and privacy guides and scam protection tips.
Frequently asked questions
Why am I getting so many spam texts?
Scammers send texts in huge batches to numbers they guess or buy from lists. Getting one doesn’t mean your phone was hacked.
Does blocking a number stop spam texts?
Only from that number. Scammers switch numbers often, so also report the text and turn on your phone’s filter.
What does 7726 do?
It’s a free shortcode for reporting spam texts. When you forward a message to 7726, your wireless provider can look at the number and block similar texts, according to the FTC.
Should I download a spam text blocker app?
Try your phone’s built-in tools and your carrier’s free options first. If you do install an app, read its App Privacy or Data safety section before you tap Install.
Bottom line
- Best first step: forward the text to 7726, then delete it.
- Best on iPhone: turn on Filter Unknown Senders.
- Best on Android: use Block & report spam in Google Messages and switch on spam protection.
- Best habit: never tap a link in a text you weren’t expecting.
Pick your phone above and run through the steps now. Then the next time a “toll” or “package” text shows up, you’ll know exactly what to do with it.
