How To Report Spam Text to AT&T
Besides robocalls and spam mail, there is another nuisance—spam text messages. Spam texts may have become a normal part of your everyday life, but you shouldn’t get used to them because they can harm you in different ways. The purpose of most spam texts is to lure you into revealing your personal information such as your credit card or Social Security number.
AT&T recognized the need to protect its users from spam texts, so you can report spam texts to them. You can also use DoNotPay to get revenge on text spammers! Be aware of these scammers and learn how to protect yourself!
Spam Texts and How They Function
Have you ever got an unexpected text message from an unknown number? Many businesses use text messages for marketing purposes and may text you if you give them your number. You should be careful with what you do when you receive messages from unknown numbers because it’s not always real businesses that send them but scammers. Those scammers use a method known as phishing or smishing to elicit your personal information. To collect your data, they might:
- Send you a link that leads to a shady website to steal your username and password
- Make you respond to the message—thus you confirm your phone number is real
- Install malware on your phone to collect your data
- Con you into revealing how much you owe your bank
How Can I Recognize Text Scams?
Sometimes it can be difficult to identify text scams since they look legitimate, but there are some characteristics that can reveal the true purpose of those messages. To identify spam texts, check whether the text:
- Has grammar or spelling mistakes
- Tells you that you’ve won something and asks you to follow a link to claim your reward
- Asks you to verify your bank account
- Prompts you to verify your Apple ID
- Offers you free bitcoin
If you notice any of the things mentioned above, you are dealing with scammers!
What Can Scammers Do With the Information They Steal From Me?
Once scammers get into possession of your personal information, they might sell it to other scammers and you may end up getting more text spam. They may also make purchases with your credit card, or even worse, steal your identity. Spam texts can complicate your life, so don’t ignore them at any cost!
Things You Should and Should Never Do When You Receive a Spam Text
Spam text messages are not only annoying but also dangerous. Here are the things you can do to protect yourself:
Do’s | Don’ts |
Check for grammar and spelling mistakes in the messages |
Don’t open any links |
Call the official number of the company that is supposedly texting you and check whether they sent you the message | Don’t call any numbers in the message |
Report text spams to your mobile carrier or use DoNotPay to help you deal with them |
Don’t reply to the message |
Get a spam blocker |
Don’t share your personal information |
Is Sending Text Spam Illegal?
Yes, but not all text spams are illegal. For example, companies can send you text messages only with your approval. You should refrain from giving your phone number to get discounts and promotions since you can get spammed afterward.
How To Stop Spam Text via AT&T
Mobile carriers will try to protect you from fraudulent calls and texts. AT&T is one of the first to give the option to report robocalls. With AT&T you can also find a way to stop spam text. If you got a suspicious text message, you can use AT&T’s:
- Online form to report spams
- Report number
- Security apps
How To Report Spam Texts via AT&T website
AT&T allows you to report spam texts by filling out an online form. Here is what you need to do:
- Visit this page to report unwanted texts
- Write your number and the number you want to report
- Specify the time when you received the message
- Choose the type of message you received
Spam Report Number for AT&T Users
Another way to report spam text is to forward the spam message to 7726. AT&T will reply and ask you to send them the number you want to report. After that, they will block the number that’s sending you spam messages. This service is free for AT&T users.
How Can AT&T’s Security Apps Protect You?
AT&T has developed Mobile Security and Call Protect apps that protect your phone from fraud. The apps can shield you from installing malware, block unwanted calls and messages, and send you theft alerts, among other things. You can opt for the free basic versions of the apps or pay to sign up for the more advanced ones.
What Else Can I Do To Protect Myself From Spam?
There are several other things you can do to free yourself from spam texts:
- Block spam messages on your iPhone
- Stop spam texts on Android
- Add your number to the Federal Trade Commission’s National Do Not Call Registry
Get Back At Text Spammers With DoNotPay
With DoNotPay you can fight back text spammers! When you get a suspicious message that asks for your credit card details, do the following:
- Access the DoNotPay app in your
- Choose Robo Revenge
- Create a virtual credit card
- Give the card information to the scammers
- Let DoNotPay track them down
- Create a demand letter for compensation
DoNotPay’s virtual credit card will look like a real one to the scammers and we can easily identify them as soon as they use it. When we find out who the scammers are, we can help you send demand letters to them!
What Are Some of the Most Frequent Text Scams?
Fraudsters have many ways to fool you! Here are some types of scams you can encounter:
Type of Spam |
The Text May Say That |
Bank-related |
|
Gift-related |
|
Refund scams |
|
Family emergency |
|
What Else Can DoNotPay Do for Me?
With DoNotPay you can get armed with the knowledge about spam texts from emails, group text spam, or the CAN-SPAM Act. You can learn how to fight against spammers and get your revenge! DoNotPay has many other options—open the DoNotPay app in your and check out what we can assist you with:
- Receiving refunds from any company
- Ending subscriptions or memberships
- Making a DMV appointment quickly
- Dealing with bills
- Disputing traffic tickets
- Signing up for free trials with no worries of being charged afterward
- Getting in touch with customer service in no time
- Fighting speeding tickets
- Suing people and companies in small claims court
- Dealing with credit card issues
- Getting rid of spam text messages
- Contesting parking tickets
- Fighting robocalls
- Protecting yourself from stalking and harassment
- Receiving compensation and refunds for delayed or canceled flights
- Making spam mail disappear forever