Why Am I Getting Spam Texts?

How Spam Texts Work

Spam texts—also called SMS phishing or “smishing”—are unsolicited messages designed to trick you into clicking on a link, sharing personal information, or calling a scam number.

Scammers often use software that can blast out thousands of messages at once, targeting random phone numbers or scraping leaked data from previous breaches. These messages might pretend to be from a bank, delivery service, government agency, or well-known retailer. Some even spoof legitimate numbers to make themselves look more credible.

The goal is usually to:

• Steal your personal or financial information
• Install malware on your phone
• Trick you into sending money
• Harvest your number for future scams

Why You’re Getting Spam Texts

There are several reasons your number might be on a spammer’s radar:

1. Your Number Was Part of a Data Breach

If your phone number was exposed in a data breach—whether from a social media platform, shopping site, or mobile app—it may now be circulating on dark web marketplaces. Spammers buy and trade this data to fuel future scams.

2. You Shared Your Number Publicly

Entering your phone number on public forums, contests, job boards, or unsecured websites increases the risk of it being scraped and reused by spammers.

3. Random Targeting

Sometimes, it’s just bad luck. Spammers often send bulk messages to number combinations in sequence. If you’re getting spam but haven’t shared your number recently, your digits may simply be part of a random batch.

4. You Interacted with a Scam Previously

If you replied to a spam text in the past—even just to say “STOP”—you may have confirmed to the scammer that your number is active. That makes you more valuable for future scams.

What to Do About Spam Texts

Spam texts aren’t just annoying—they can be dangerous. Here’s how to handle them:

• Don’t click links or reply. Even if a message seems legitimate, avoid clicking on links or replying. Doing so could expose you to malware or confirm your number is active.
• Report the message. In the U.S., forward the spam text to 7726 (which spells “SPAM”). This helps your carrier block future messages. You can also report phishing attempts to the FTC or your country’s cybercrime reporting portal.
• Block the number. Most messaging apps allow you to block and report numbers. While this won’t stop all spam, it’s a good immediate step.
• Enable spam protection. On Android, go to Messages > Settings > Spam Protection and enable “Enable spam protection.” Some carriers also offer advanced tools to identify and filter out scam texts.
• Use a call and text filter app. Apps like Hiya, RoboKiller, or Truecaller offer more robust filtering and can help flag risky messages before they reach you.