What to Do about Spam Text Messages?

dogboy on 07/04/2022 - 10:17

I have been receiving a lot of spam messages on my mobile via text recently, usually with a brief random message and a link. I usually reply something obscene but realise there is probably no point as it is an automated system. Just wondering if anyone has a way to stop these messages, report them to some official government body and/or get revenge on the people sending them?

I had a look at https://www.namecheap.com/support/knowledgebase/article.aspx… but can't see what category they should be filed under or if this is even worth my time.

Mobile

Comments

  • CrispyChrispy on 07/04/2022 - 10:20

    If it's like a business that's spamming you, it should say something at the end of the text message like 'Type STOP to XXX number to stop receiving marketing material' or something along those lines.

  • 87percent on 07/04/2022 - 10:20
    +3

    if you're a telstra customer, they just released this spam filter. I was on the internal trial of it, and it's quite good.

    • ATTS on 15/04/2022 - 15:58

      does the spam filter need to be activated? if so how?

      also does the spam filter also work with boost mobile?

  • cupcake on 07/04/2022 - 10:22
    +7

    Block and Delete.

    • us3rnam3tak3n on 07/04/2022 - 12:44
      +1

      I haven't blocked any because each spam comes from a unique number so it's futile.

      • whatwasherproblem on 07/04/2022 - 15:01
        +1

        Is there any pattern to the numbers? e.g. often I used to get spam calls where the first six digits were always the same, and then they'd just increment the last three digits every day so that it was always coming from a 'new' number. But it was straightforward enough to just block all numbers with that first-6-digits pattern using a prefix blocker.

        • loke on 07/04/2022 - 15:08
          +1

          nah, cos the spam messages are usually from some manner of compromised phone e.g. via flubot

          https://www.google.com/search?q=flubot+android

          so as long as there's some sucker that keeps pressing on the links and installing apks it's just gonna keep perpetuating

        • b3au on 07/04/2022 - 15:50

          The pattern is people dumb enough to click the link, install Flubot, upload their contact list, and then start SMSing numbers….

          It's 'real' people who's phones have been compromised

  • Ughhh on 07/04/2022 - 10:27
    +16

    I usually reply something obscene

    You might as well reply back saying that your number is still active and available to be sold to other spammers.

  • pegaxs on 07/04/2022 - 10:32
    +11

    I don’t know about iPhone users, but my Android phone does a really good job at filtering spam/scam SMS. So far it has a 100% hit rate with 0 legit SMS being flagged.

    As soon as I get an SMS and the phone thinks it is spam/scam, it is moved to junk/spam folder and blocked. I don’t even get notification sounds. All I get is a pull down notification that something was moved to the spam folder.

    • cupcake on 07/04/2022 - 10:33

      Same. My Samsung phone scans for spam calls and messages for me so I don't pick those up.

    • ItsMeAgro on 07/04/2022 - 10:53
      +1

      Yep, the Google Pixel phones are the best at this (and fantastic phones all round, I love mine), but other new Android phones can probably do it too.

      • harro112 on 07/04/2022 - 15:55

        i think Google Messages handles it, so basically any android phone should be able to do it

    • c64 on 07/04/2022 - 11:24

      I don’t know about iPhone users, but my Android phone does a really good job at filtering spam/scam SMS.

      can't be that good, they never manage to block clive …

    • Bid Sniper on 07/04/2022 - 12:07
      +2

      This, my partner get spam all the time on her iphone, I rarely get anything. Open to flag a call or message as spam or scam so guessing how it works

      Also for BS cold calls
      https://www.donotcall.gov.au/

    • [Deactivated] on 07/04/2022 - 19:11
      -1

      Lol, so you get a notification to tell you had a spam message, ok

  • bongom on 07/04/2022 - 11:26
    +5

    Never reply to unsolicited messages.

  • jellykingdom on 07/04/2022 - 12:03

    Me too, non-stop in the last month or so

    My phone (TCL) flags them as Spam and automatically deletes them

  • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 07/04/2022 - 13:16
    +1

    It's not just you. I'm copping heaps of them and everyone I know is too.

    Luckily android does a good job of filtering.

  • imtheonewhoknocks on 07/04/2022 - 14:36

    Download Google Messages if you have an Android, they all get put into spam, and you won't get notified

  • b3au on 07/04/2022 - 15:51
    +2

    Are you with Telstra (or Belong, or probably Aldi/Woolworths Mobile)?

    They are supposed to be blocking spam and dodgy SMS messages at their end from today.
    https://exchange.telstra.com.au/blocking-scam-text-messages-…

    • plapic on 13/04/2022 - 12:11

      Does this work for Boost customers?

  • PissLUR on 08/04/2022 - 09:31

    Upgrade to the latest Android and they will filter it for you.

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