08 Jun 2020

One of the most common ways scammers try to gain access to our personal information is through text message scams. That leaves a lot of us wondering how to stop spam text messages and block unwanted numbers from contacting you.

Phone call scams have historically been a popular way for scammers to try and access your personal information and in extreme cases seek identity theft, however in recent years, texting scams have been on the rise big time, making it more important than ever to become self-aware of the types of scams taking place so you can protect yourself.

Unfortunately, your misery is someone else’s gain. The most common way that phishing text scammers get your phone number is when they buy the data off another source. Any time you input your phone number into a website or sign up to a new service, there’s a chance that the website may share your information with another vendor.

Once theft scam companies have your personal information, they hope to trick you into giving them more account information. Bank details are normally what they’re after, but any financial information or logins are valuable and could help them hurt you in the future.

Never reply to dodgy looking spam texts or sms call to actions. Even if you think you have a funny retort that will annoy the person on the other end. The fact is that on the other end is a computer running a program and if you respond to the message, that confirms for them that your number is a real and viable number, and they’ll probably contact you again.

If you need to start over with a new number, amaysim can help you with a mobile plan that includes a new number – alternatively, why not look into one of our data-only plans if you don't plan on sending any texts.

The methods of how to block spam texts on iPhone and how to block spam texts on Android phones vary slightly.

• Open the message from the number you want to block
• Tap the circle at the top of your screen, then tap the ‘Info’ button
• This will bring up the information your phone has on the number. From there, tap on the arrow > in the top right, which will take you to a new page
• At the bottom of this page, you will see the option to “Block this Caller”, press it
• A message will appear stating what happens by blocking the number, go ahead and press ‘Block Contact’

• Open your messages and tap on the three dots ⁝ menu icon.
• Select the “blocked contacts” option
• Select “Add a number”
• Add the number you would like to add to your blocked contacts list
• These methods work for any contact, so if you’re ever wondering how to block text messages on iPhone or Android in the future, just repeat these steps.

Blocking a number may stop you from receiving more messages from them, but it won’t stop them from messaging other people.

Since no one enjoys receiving unsolicited text messages from random numbers, reporting these numbers can stop them from contacting other people. Blocking a number doesn’t stop the people on the other end from operating. They’ll eventually switch to another number and probably try to contact you again. If you report spam SMS messages, that may cause an investigation and put a stop to the scammers.

Contact services like Scamwatch, which is run by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) also covers text message scams. Government-run services will record the information and be able to use it to protect all Australians.

Visit their website to report a scam.

Unfortunately, scammers are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to try to harm people.

The coronavirus texting scams vary from fake Medicare messages promising benefits related to the pandemic, to fake government relief payment packages. These unsolicited text messages are becoming very smart and will sometimes look legit.

Always check with the appropriate sources before clicking any links or responding to messages or voicemails. If you have the slightest suspicion it could be a phishing scam, block the number to help keep yourself safe.