How to identify a spam text message: Everything you need to know

What is a spam text message?

Spam messages generally fall under the category of unwanted texts. Some may be harmless junk messages sent in bulk by a legitimate company or advertiser, while others could lead to phishing attempts, scam calls, and identity theft. In many cases, spammers send these unwanted messages to gather information about you.

How to identify a spam text message

Spam messages are becoming more sophisticated, but so are the tools to detect them. Many messaging apps now include features to automatically detect and block unwanted text messages, and reporting spam has also gotten easier over time.

Detecting spam messages on Android

Android phones are widely regarded for having reliable and sophisticated spam detection and reporting features. These capabilities are  set only to become better because Google plans to deploy an improved method to flag spam messages later in 2025.

While the specifics of this system haven’t been announced, it works by individually checking your text messages for characteristics of spam similar to those discussed above. If a message matches multiple warning indicators, it’s automatically flagged as spam. 

Detecting spam messages on an iPhone

Apple has also made improvements in how it handles spam messages. The iOS 26’s Messages app can automatically screen your messages for spam, using filtering to ensure that only real text messages come through.

It also filters "unknown senders” from “spam” messages, so legitimate texts (like from people you just gave your number to) don’t get blocked. iOS 26 also gives you the option to view all flagged texts in a separate view for better manual screening.

General signs of spam text messages

It’s also helpful to know how to spot a spam text yourself. If a message has any of the following signs, it’s probably spam:

• Unknown sender. Spam messages are often sent in bulk from disposable phone numbers.
• Recipient tagged as “Potential spam.” In some cases, your phone company or call blocking tools will tag a number with “Potential spam” based on reports from other users or suspicious activity.
• Advertisements or promotions. While sometimes legitimate, these messages could also be considered spam if their sender doesn’t listen to your opt-out requests.

Examples of spam text messages

Spam messages can be difficult to deal with due to their wide variety. From fake messages and junk messages to various types of phishing, scammers use numerous tactics to take advantage of you through your phone number. 

Impersonation

These messages typically impersonate mobile carriers, government agencies, or other trusted institutions. They’ll often ask for your personal information in hopes of using it to either conduct more scams or access your personal accounts. This tactic is especially common in financial scams like credit card fraud. 

Fake invoices and financial transactions

These types of messages will often contain false payment information or request approval for financial transactions. However, such approvals are typically fraudulent and primarily used to confirm that your number is active, making you a target for further spam or scams such as check fraud or loan fraud.

Emergency texts

These messages will try to impersonate your family members or some other trusted person in your network. They’ll pressure you into providing financial information or money to help them with some emergency. Such scams are common, particularly if the criminal has gotten physical access to a victim’s phone.

Threats and suspicious activity

Some messages defer subtlety in favor of threatening messages, blackmail, and other aggressive methods. These schemes rely on scare tactics or creating a false sense of urgency to pressure their victims into handing over money or personal information.

Giveaways, cashbacks, or winnings

Commonly used in lottery scams, this type of message will often ask for information like Social Security numbers in exchange for winnings or prizes. It may also ask for other financial information like bank accounts and credit card data, usually to steal funds or involve victims in other schemes like financial fraud. 

How to stop spam text messages

Spam messages are unlikely to disappear completely because both marketers and malicious actors are constantly finding new ways to send them. Beyond recognizing common signs of spam, you can take simple steps to reduce how often you receive spam texts.

• Block unknown numbers. A blocked phone number will be unable to send you messages.
• Contact your mobile carrier. Some mobile carriers offer their own spam solutions like Verizon’s Call Filter, T-Mobile’s Scam Shield, and AT&T’s ActiveArmor.
• Report spam messages. You can report text scams to authorities like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or via the messaging app that you’re using.
• Avoid giving out your phone number. The less it’s shared, the less likely it is to be picked up by telemarketers, spammers, or data collectors.
• Look into spam protection apps. Both Android and iOS offer applications that enhance spam filtering, though some may require a purchase or subscription.

How to protect yourself from spam text scams

Spam texts can sometimes be more than just annoying. While many are harmless, some contain scams designed to steal your personal information. The best way to protect yourself from these risks is to avoid engaging. Don’t click any links, avoid replying to messages, and block unknown numbers. If they are persistent, verify their identity through another method and never share your personal or financial information.

Aside from not engaging, you should also report suspected spam messages to your mobile carrier or provider. These reports help them refine their spam detection tools and can also help the people in your immediate network to stay on guard about potential spam messages.

For further peace of mind, consider an identity theft protection service like NordProtect. NordProtect’s features, like dark web monitoring, notify you if your number has ended up on the dark web (often where criminals source numbers for spam or scam messages), so you can immediately take action if your information has been compromised.

What to do if you are already a victim of a spam text scam

If you’ve fallen victim to a scam from a spam message, follow these steps:

Report the incident

Reporting the incident to the police, your local government, or even your friends and family can help mitigate any further damage to yourself or anyone in your immediate network. You can also contact agencies like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Reporting is important for two reasons. It keeps everyone aware of the heightened risks if the spam messages are targeting a specific group, and it documents the incident for future reference. Many anti-spam systems rely on reported incidents to improve. The more spam messages flagged, the better these systems become.

Secure your accounts

After falling victim to a scam, freezing your credit and verifying that your online accounts are still under your control should be a priority. This step is especially crucial if you’re not sure where the criminal got your number from or if you’ve shared personally identifiable information they can use to access your accounts.

This measure also helps lower the risk of identity theft since most attackers often exploit social media or government accounts to impersonate you or even open loans in your name. 

Prevent similar security incidents from happening

It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with best practices for dealing with cyberattacks and scams to reduce the risk of future incidents. For example, you can learn how to spot a phishing email or what to do if a scammer has your email address.