[HELP] How to stop daily spam text messages

lookingforTV on 23/09/2020 - 13:41

Hi Ozbargain,

I get a spam text message every single day from a different number. The context of each message is different each time but it always has a URL attached, which links to fake ABC news page with titled "The Government Don't Want You To Know About This Financial 'Super-Hack' That Could Make You $5,000 Day". Essentially recommending this product called bitfit.

Sometimes the message contains my first name and sometimes it is about 'overdue' notice or 'request expiring' etc but always from a different number and the same end page link.

I normally would ignore it but getting a daily spam message can get quite annoying when it goes on for months. Is there a way of stopping this?

Mobile

Comments

  • John Kimble on 23/09/2020 - 13:42
    +2

    Change your number

    • lookingforTV on 23/09/2020 - 13:43

      Thank you for the suggestion. Unfortunately, it's not an option I can take lol

  • scrimshaw on 23/09/2020 - 13:52
    +1

    You can probably set up some rule-based flagging to block these messages. If the numbers start with a certain series of numbers (e.g +1800), or if the SMS always seems to contain a URL to a certain website, you can use those to your advantage and setup a blacklist based on those sets of rules.

    There might be 3rd party apps on the Google app store that you might have to download since many stock android messaging apps lack these features.

    • lookingforTV on 23/09/2020 - 13:55

      Thank you for the suggestion. iOS user unfortunately. Numbers are legit mobile numbers which I can even call but after few rings, it hangs up. Would there be a way to do rule-based block on iOS?

  • FSTB on 23/09/2020 - 13:56
    +3

    I get the exact same messages daily. This has only recently started.

    Are you with Optus?

    • lookingforTV on 23/09/2020 - 14:52

      I am with Vodafone :/

      Mine has been going on for 4 months. Most of the time, it's only slightly annoying but on days when you are expecting an important email/texts, this becomes very annoying.

  • anhtram222 on 23/09/2020 - 14:02
    +4

    Oh damn I got the same thing.
    it's been going since July I think. Once i block this number, another one show up. The content is most of the time like this "Maria This is our 3rd attempt to reach you. Request activation and login required to obtain successful resolution by 5pm https://efllw.site/uhpeoe"
    or sometime like this "Last Notice: If update is not received by 5pm you will lose requested-total and transfer preferences: https://ggffh.site/rvbmyl".
    And Maria is not my name.
    I know i can basically ignore it but it's just so annoying keep receiving them.

    • lookingforTV on 23/09/2020 - 14:52

      Yeap, you are getting the exact same thing as me. Mine has been going on few months.

      • modsec802 on 23/09/2020 - 15:51

        I'm in the same club and also on Vodafone

        @anhtram222 are you on Vodafone also? I have a feeling other phone companies filter these out better before they get to phones?

        • emblurr on 23/09/2020 - 16:24

          I'm getting these ones on Telstra, about one a day. Annoying as f

  • DannyC on 23/09/2020 - 15:18

    That would drive me insane, I may get a few spam calls from unknown numbers every now and again but nothing too life changing. It is difficult to block these as u say they come from a bunch of random mobile numbers. I know in iOS devices you can silence Unknown numbers n such. Whenever I get spam calls I immediately block that number. I never answer calls from hidden phone numbers anyways. Another option would be to look to see if any apps are available to help filter out spam calls n texts. I haven't used any of them so can't comment on how effective they are, so do a bit of research n make a decision from there.

  • Melb69 on 23/09/2020 - 18:51
    -2

    Do you guys visit adult sites? Just saying

    • FSTB on 23/09/2020 - 19:36

      What does this have to do with the original post?

  • Moneyinthebank on 23/09/2020 - 20:08

    Spam them back

    • Lexan on 23/09/2020 - 22:27
      -1

      Try STOP in reply

      • FSTB on 24/09/2020 - 08:27
        +1

        Would you reply to a phishing email? This is a bad idea and just confirms with the scammer that your number is active. The texts are sent from an automated system, it's not some bloke sending and receiving on a Nokia 3310.

  • modsec802 on 25/09/2020 - 06:41

    Do the people getting these have their number registered for payid? They could be using payid to do reverse number lookups in bulk to see what numbers are actually in use?

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join