In our digital world, those of us with considerable means often find our phones deluged with campaign texts sporting eye-catching openers like, “NOT ASKING FOR $” or “The 600% MATCH won’t last forever.” These messages have become a hallmark of modern campaigning.
Campaigns asking for money now favor texting over traditional mailers or phone calls, as texts are more likely to be read promptly, even if calls from unknown numbers are ignored. Analysts who study these automated texts have observed this strategic shift.
Efforts by wireless companies and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to curb these messages have yielded some success. The FCC implemented rules last year requiring carriers to block texts that violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. Consequently, consumer complaints about texts to the FCC and Federal Trade Commission fell by 40% from 2021 to 2023.
However, analysts predict a surge in text messages as both legitimate organizations and scammers compete for attention. As we prepare for this increase, it is crucial to know how to manage and stop these messages effectively.
Understanding Phishing and Political Texting
Before sending mass texts, political campaigns must register with a text-messaging registry like the telecom-backed Campaign Registry, according to the CTIA, a wireless-communication trade association. This registry verifies the campaign’s legitimacy and ensures compliance with industry opt-in and opt-out guidelines.
Once registered, a mass-texting company assigns dedicated phone numbers to the campaign, which then sends SMS messages to mobile carriers for delivery.
Campaigns require your consent to send automated messages and must honor opt-out requests when you reply with “Stop” as per FCC regulations. This should stop any future messages from that campaign, not just the specific number used. Non-compliance could lead to future messages being blocked by carriers.
Tips for handling unwanted texts
Here are some practical tips for managing the influx of texts:
- Consider Messages as Notifications: Treat these texts as notifications rather than urgent calls to action. If you remember giving consent, it is safe to reply “Stop” Otherwise, ignore them.
- Avoid Clicking Links: Refrain from tapping on any links in these messages. If you wish to donate to a campaign, visit its official website directly to ensure the source is legitimate and to contribute securely.
Additional Steps to Take:
- Report Spam: Forward suspicious texts to 7726, as recommended by the FCC. Multiple complaints about the same number will prompt the wireless carrier to investigate and potentially block the sender.
- Report and Block on Devices: iOS users can swipe left on a message to delete it. If the number is not in Contacts, an option to “Delete and Report Junk” will appear, sending the message to Apple and deleting the thread. To prevent future messages, you need to block the sender.
- Blocking a Sender: On iOS, open the message, tap the number, choose “Info,” and then “Block Caller.” On Android, steps vary by phone maker but generally involve selecting the conversation, tapping the number or menu, and choosing “Block.”
By following these steps, you can better manage the flood of unwanted texts and maintain control over your communication channels.