How to Reduce Fake Delivery Texts on Your iPhone

Receiving fake delivery text messages, often referred to as "smishing," can be both annoying and potentially harmful. These fraudulent messages typically impersonate legitimate delivery services to deceive you into providing personal information or clicking malicious links. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to reduce these unwanted texts on your iPhone.

What Are Fake Delivery Texts?

Fake delivery texts are fraudulent messages that mimic notifications from legitimate delivery services like USPS, UPS, or FedEx. They often claim issues with your package delivery and prompt you to click on suspicious links or provide personal information. For example, a message might state, "Your package is on hold. Click here to resolve the issue." Engaging with these messages can lead to identity theft or malware infections.

How Can I Block Texts from Unknown Senders?

iOS offers a built-in feature to filter messages from unknown senders, which can help reduce unwanted texts. To enable this:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap on Messages.
3. Toggle on Filter Unknown Senders.

This will move messages from numbers not in your contacts to a separate tab labeled "Unknown Senders," preventing them from appearing in your main inbox. (support.apple.com)

How Do I Report Spam Messages on iPhone?

Reporting spam messages helps Apple and your carrier identify and block fraudulent senders. To report a spam message:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Find the message from the unknown sender.
3. Tap Report Junk at the bottom of the message.
4. Confirm by tapping Delete and Report Junk.

This action deletes the message and reports the sender to Apple. (support.apple.com)

How Can I Block Specific Senders on iPhone?

Blocking specific contacts or phone numbers can prevent unwanted messages from reaching you. To block a sender:

1. Open the Messages app.
2. Select the conversation with the sender you want to block.
3. Tap the contact's name or number at the top.
4. Tap Info, then scroll down and tap Block this Caller.

Blocked contacts won't be notified that they've been blocked. (support.apple.com)

Are There Third-Party Apps to Block Spam Texts on iPhone?

Yes, third-party apps can provide additional protection against spam texts. One such app is Robokiller, which offers advanced spam filtering and blocking features. Robokiller uses a combination of community reports and machine learning to identify and block spam messages effectively. By integrating with your iPhone's messaging system, Robokiller can automatically filter out unwanted texts, including fake delivery notifications. This proactive approach helps keep your inbox clean and secure.

How Can I Stay Safe from Fake Delivery Texts?

To further protect yourself from fake delivery texts:

• Verify Directly: If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from a delivery service, do not click any links or provide personal information. Instead, visit the official website of the delivery service or contact their customer support directly to verify the claim. (time.com)

• Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Links: Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited messages, especially those that create a sense of urgency or ask for personal information.

• Keep Your Software Updated: Regularly update your iPhone's software to ensure you have the latest security patches.

• Educate Yourself: Stay informed about common phishing tactics and be cautious of messages that seem too good to be true.

By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce the number of fake delivery texts you receive on your iPhone and enhance your overall security.

Highlights:

• Beware of Fake USPS Text Messages, Published on Tuesday, June 11
• "Don't click the link": How to avoid package delivery text scams, Published on Tuesday, December 10