Stop annoying political texts

October 5, 2024

By Kim Komando

I’ve heard from the presidential candidates, their families and every politician within a 100-mile radius. The texts don’t stop in October of an election year, especially when it comes to a presidential election.

What’s worse, the closer we get to Nov. 5, the more these texts are going to bug you. Here I am to save the day (and your sanity)!

Who’s allowed to text you?

Mass texting campaigns are legal if the sender uses an official text messaging organization. These orgs verify the sender is legit and complies with all opt-in and opt-out rules.

This means campaigns need your consent before they text you. They also have to comply when you respond with “STOP” and not send you any future messages.

Scam-paigns

Real political organizations are good at following the rules. But, shocker, scammers pretending to be associated with political candidates aren’t. Once you block one number, they move on to the next. Lather, rinse, repeat.

Crooks pounce at the opportunity to blend their scams with legitimate political campaigns and hope you can’t tell the difference. They’ll use political-sounding messages to push malicious links. They might even ask you to donate to a bogus campaign.

Psst, this is all the more reason to try Incogni. They stop spammers from getting your number in the first place.

Stay smart and stop them from bugging you

• Your obvious first step is to text back “STOP.” But if you don’t remember opting into these messages, don’t respond. Doing so tells the sender — likely a scammer — you’re a real person, which could lead to even more texts.
• Instead, report it to your cell provider by forwarding texts to 7726 (SPAM). If enough complaints come in about the same number, the wireless carrier will investigate and block future messages.
• Don’t donate money through a link sent in a text. If you’d like to donate to a political campaign, go directly to their official website.

iPhone:

• Messages from unsaved numbers will have an option beneath to Report Junk. Tap that, then tap Delete and Report Junk to delete the thread and send the message to Apple and your carrier, letting them know, too, it’s junk.
• Block the number. Open the message, tap the number at the top of your screen, and choose Info > Block Caller.
• Turn on your spam blocker. Go to Settings > Messages > Filter Unknown Senders to sort texts from unknown contacts into a separate list.
• Stop receiving notifications from unknown texters. You’ll find this under Settings > Messages > Customize Notifications (at the very bottom). There, toggle off Unknown Senders.

Android:

• Block the number. Open the message, tap the number or menu at the top of the screen, then tap Block. Note: Your steps may vary based on your phone manufacturer.
• Turn on the spam blocker. To do this, open Messages > tap your profile icon > Messages Settings > Spam Protection.

🎦 If you’re more of a visual-learning type, I have a YouTube video that walks you through these steps, too.

Friends or family complaining about political texts? Pass this along using the handy share icons below. They’ll be glad you did.

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