Phishing texts are fraudulent messages designed to deceive you into revealing personal information or clicking malicious links. Protecting yourself from these scams is crucial. Here's how you can block phishing texts on your phone today.
What Are Phishing Texts?
Phishing texts are deceptive messages that impersonate legitimate entities, such as banks or government agencies, to steal personal information. They often contain urgent requests or enticing offers to lure you into clicking links or providing sensitive data.
How Can I Block Phishing Texts on My iPhone?
1. Enable Message Filtering
iPhones offer a built-in feature to filter messages from unknown senders:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Messages.
- Toggle on Filter Unknown Senders.
This will separate messages from unknown contacts into a separate tab, reducing the chance of phishing texts reaching your main inbox. (makeuseof.com)
2. Block Specific Numbers
To block messages from a particular number:
- Open the message from the sender.
- Tap the contact at the top, then tap info.
- Tap info again.
- Tap Block this Caller.
This will prevent the sender from contacting you via text or call. (makeuseof.com)
3. Report Junk Messages
If you receive a message from an unknown sender that appears to be spam:
- Open the message.
- Tap Report Junk.
This will report the message to Apple and move it to the Junk folder. (macworld.com)
How Can I Block Phishing Texts on My Android Phone?
1. Enable Spam Protection in Google Messages
Google Messages has a built-in spam protection feature:
- Open the Messages app.
- Tap the three-dot menu and select Settings.
- Tap Spam protection.
- Toggle on Enable spam protection.
This feature uses machine learning to identify and block suspected spam messages. (tomsguide.com)
2. Block Specific Numbers
To block messages from a particular number:
- Open the message from the sender.
- Tap the three-dot menu and select Block number.
This will prevent the sender from contacting you via text or call. (tomsguide.com)
3. Report Spam Messages
To report a message as spam:
- Open the message.
- Tap and hold the message.
- Tap Report as spam.
This will report the message to Google and move it to the Spam & blocked folder. (tomsguide.com)
Are There Third-Party Apps to Block Phishing Texts?
Yes, there are third-party apps designed to block phishing texts:
- Robokiller: An app that blocks spam and scam texts and calls.
- Truecaller: An app that identifies and blocks spam calls and messages.
These apps use databases of known spam numbers to filter out unwanted messages.
How Can I Protect Myself from Phishing Texts?
- Do Not Click on Suspicious Links: Avoid clicking on links from unknown senders.
- Verify the Sender: If a message claims to be from a legitimate organization, contact them directly using official contact information.
- Keep Your Software Updated: Ensure your phone's operating system and apps are up to date to benefit from the latest security features.
Conclusion
Blocking phishing texts involves using built-in features on your phone, such as message filtering and spam protection, and considering third-party apps for enhanced security. By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to phishing scams.
Highlights:
- Google says Android phones now block more scams than iPhones, Published on Friday, October 31
- Your Android can detect scam texts - here's how to use Circle to Search to spot them, Published on Monday, December 22
- Lost your iPhone? Make sure you don't make things worse by falling for this evil phishing text giving you hope, Published on Tuesday, November 11
