Speaking of recalls: Ford is recalling 552,188 model-year 2014 F‑150 pickup trucks after reports of unexpected downshifting into first gear. Scary stuff, since it could lead to a crash. Call Ford’s toll-free number at 1‑866‑436‑7332 or contact your dealership.
How to stop spam texts for good
© Feodora Chiosea | Dreamstime.com
Remember back in the day when you didn’t think twice about putting your cell number and email address into any form that asked for it? If you’re thinking, “Uh, Kim, I still do that,” I’m about to make your life so much easier.
Even if you know better, all those years of sharing your contact info have left their mark. Add in the websites that peddle your details to anyone willing to pay, and most of us are left dealing with a ridiculous amount of spam texts.
Before we get to spam text do’s and don’ts, allow me to brag: I don’t get any spammy texts. Really, zero. After I signed up for Incogni, all that crap stopped. Use this exclusive link to get 60% off. Incogni removed me from 218 privacy-stealing data-broker sites, and all it took was three minutes of work on my end.
A tangled web
Why are you a target for so much spam? Ah, let me count the ways:
- Your data was breached and then compiled into a huge list sold on the dark web or through a people-search or data-broker site.
- You’re in a hacked database, like a list of homeowners or app subscribers.
- Yours is one of countless autogenerated phone numbers scammers took a shot on. After all, it’s not that hard to come up with a list of numbers.
- You downloaded malware that dug into your contacts.
- You installed an app that sold your phone number.
- You replied to a spam text (see below).
I can just text ‘Stop,’ right?
If only. Never reply to a scam text. Doing so confirms your number is active, and you’ll start getting even more scam texts. There are a couple of safe ways to stop the spam storm:
- See if your phone provider lets you forward texts to 7726 (SPAM) to auto-block them. Most do, including Verizon, T‑Mobile and AT&T.
- Look in your message app settings for a spam filter. On Android, you can find a Spam Protection feature. On iPhone, open Settings and tap Messages, then enable Filter Unknown Senders.
- Select the texter’s ID or number and look for an Info or Details section. You can usually find a way to block that number directly here.
This stopped spam texts for me for good
I’ve told you about Incogni before. They pull your info from data-broker sites that sell it to anyone willing to pay — including spammers. No joke, since I used it, my spam texts have totally disappeared. I just don’t get them anymore.
✅ Use this link to get 60% off when you sign up. Nope, I don’t get any residuals or kickbacks. It worked for me, and I know it will work for you. I’d love to hear how many data-broker and people-search sites Incogni removes you from!
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