Should you reply “stop” to unwanted text messages?

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Junk text messages constantly buzzing through your phone can drive you crazy.

But would a common step many of us would take to prevent them be to do the opposite?

Often a text message will ask you to reply “STOP” to stop future messages. Some users online claim that replying “STOP” will unsubscribe you. But others say responding increases your chances of receiving more unwanted text messages.

Do you have to reply “STOP” in order to stop unwanted text messages?

No, you should not reply “STOP” to spam text messages in situations where you don’t recognize the number or sender or if they seem suspicious.

More and more scammers are using text messages as a starting point to target their potential victims. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) says complaints about unwanted text messages have increased steadily since 2019.

Unexpected texts from unknown sources

The FCC warns against responding to spam texts from questionable sources. Some scammers may want your money, while others want your personal information or simply confirm that a number is active for use in future scams, the agency warns.

Verizon warns customers not to respond to unwanted or suspicious text messages, not even to say “STOP.”

Responding directly to a spam text message lets the spammer know your number is genuine, according to digital security software company Norton. After you respond, they may sell your phone number to other spammers, AARP explains.

Scammers sometimes pose as legitimate, familiar businesses and use urgent language to convince you to take action to gain an advantage, resolve a problem or avoid a threat, according to AARP. Fraudsters recently impersonated SunPass, sending drivers fake messages about unpaid tolls with links to fake websites designed to steal personal banking information.

Several mobile operators allow you to block the sender of unwanted SMS messages by forwarding them to 7726 (or “SPAM”).

Federal rules say political campaigns or organizations don’t need your permission to start texting you, and there’s nothing you can do in advance to stop them. The FCC only prohibits unsolicited political calls or text messages to cell phones if they are sent using automated dialing or texting software.

However, according to the FCC, if you text “STOP” to political text, it should honor your opt-out request.

If you receive unwanted political text that you believe violates federal rules, you can report it online to the FCC.

Texts you suspect are legitimate

Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), legitimate businesses must obtain consent to communicate with you via text messaging and allow consumers to unsubscribe from a subscriber list by responding directly to a text message .

But since scammers texting you don’t follow the same rules, that text message you think is from a company you know could be an imposter. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reported an increase in complaints from people receiving text messages that appear to come from well-known names like USPS, Costco or The Home Depot.

The FTC warns that instead of responding, it’s best to “contact the company first using a website or phone number that you know is real.”

AARP also cautions against assuming a text message is legitimate because it comes from a familiar phone number or area code. Spammers use caller ID spoofing to make it appear that the text is coming from a trusted or local source.