What to do about robotexts and campaign calls

AUSTIN (KXAN) — With just over a month until the Nov. 5 election, chances are your phone has received a few political text messages asking you to donate or vote. It turns out that groups have to follow some strict rules for texting you, but there are also some loopholes.

“If you’re on Facebook or any of the social networks, these products are being sold,” one man said. “I’m sure they buy these lists.”

As the election cycle gears up, campaigns are trying to reach you any way they can.

“Texting is a really inexpensive way to reach a lot of voters quickly,” said Republican strategist Mark Graul.

Is the “unsubscribe” button a scam?

Robotexts are becoming more and more popular as a way to get you to react. There’s just one problem: they seem endless.

“Political advertising, in this way, does not fall under the Do Not Call Registry,” said Brian Jack, head of information security for cybersecurity firm Know Be 4.

The Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, dedicates an entire section of its website to political advertising, whether by text message or phone call. Although robotexts must follow the same rules as robocalls, one major exception is when sending a message manually.

According to the FCC, political text messages sent to a mobile phone using an autodialer require the prior express consent of the person called. Manually sent messages may be sent without prior consent.

“The best thing you can do is reply ‘STOP,’ and that will at least stop this number from messaging you again,” Jack suggested.

The FCC adds that you can also report the sender by forwarding text messages to 7726 (or “SPAM”).

Twitter says it deletes 1 million spam accounts per day

Scammers are also paying attention this time of year. They know you might not be and will try to text you links to get you to click.

“Everything can be a scam,” Jack said. “It’s just trying to influence you or get you to do something you wouldn’t normally do.”

Regardless of which side of the aisle you are on, most agree that the messages can be many.

“It’s a form of social engineering. It’s not often the most deceptive or nefarious there is,” Jack added.

A problem that will likely only get worse before it gets better.

The FCC offers other suggestions on how to unsubscribe from messages, or even report ones you think might be scams.

It suggests you do one of the following:

File a complaint online at https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov
By telephone: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322); TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322); ASL: 1-844-432-2275
By mail (please include your name, address, contact details and as many details of your complaint as possible):

Federal Communications Commission
Office of Consumer and Governmental Affairs
45, rue L NE
Washington, DC 20554

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