Spam FAQs

Find answers to commonly asked questions about text messaging (SMS) spam. By reporting text message spam, you're helping us identify spammers and the messages they send.

What is text messaging spam?

Text message spam is any unwanted or unsolicited text message sent indiscriminately to your mobile phone, often for commercial purposes. It can take the form of a simple message, a link to a number to call or text, a link to a website for more information, or a link to a website to download an application. T-Mobile is committed to fighting mobile spam and encourages our customers to report unsolicited messages to us for investigation.

What happens to the spam reports?

We automatically forward the message and details of the attacker to the Spam Reporting Service (SRS) system for analysis. The SRS is a global system to help protect mobile phone subscribers from spam, fraud, and malware. The SRS system is linked to a global database that tracks potential spam messages and helps identify bad senders. If the attack is an act of attempted fraud, our anti-fraud team uses SRS to help identify and report the fraudster to appropriate authorities.

How do I report text message spam?

If you receive spam, follow these steps:

1. Forward the message to 7726 (which spells “SPAM” on most phone keypads). Please don’t edit the message or add any comments.
2. We'll reply to your message with a text message confirming we've received it. We'll also ask you to send us the number of the original sender.
3. Send us the phone number of the sender.

We'll use this information to help identify who is sending spam and take appropriate action. There's no charge to report mobile spam. Messages forwarded to 7726 do not count toward your plan. You can also place your number on the Federal Trade Commission’s Do Not Call list at www.donotcall.gov. If you continue to receive spam messages or calls, you may file a complaint with the FTC at the same website.

Am I at risk of sharing my personal information if I report spam?

No. The message and your details are encrypted. Your identity will not be shown or shared.

Can I block text messages to my phone?

Partially. You can block text messages using Message Blocking. However, some messages cannot be blocked such as account change notifications, usage alerts, and others.

How do I stop unsolicited text messages on my phone?

• You can guard your private information by not using your T-Mobile number when you sign up for non-T-Mobile contests, sweepstakes, promotions, or newsletters.
• If you feel like you're receiving too many messages from a subscription service, you can opt out or adjust your notification settings by visiting the promotion or newsletter's website.
• If the above tips don't work for you, as a last resort you can change your phone number as a way to prevent text messages coming from another mobile phone.

How do I avoid becoming a victim of text message spam?

Here are tips to protect yourself:

• Never click on a link in a text message unless you're certain that the message is from a trusted source that you initiated.
• Don’t act on any message if you're suspicious of the content, even if it looks like it's from someone you know.
• Never download applications from unauthorized app stores. We recommend Lookout Mobile Security Premium to help keep your device protected and up to date.
• Do not swap applications with friends using memory cards.

What do I do if I opened a suspicious link or app?

Simply reading a text message won't affect or compromise personal information stored on your device. However, if you do open a link or app from a suspicious source, you'll want to take certain steps to make sure your information is safe:

• Change your My T-Mobile password
• Consider changing passwords for your bank, financial institutions, and credit cards
• Change passwords for your social media sites

Related pages

Message Blocking

Spam troubleshooting

Text messaging (SMS)