Protecting Yourself from Text Messages from Random Numbers

Text messages from random numbers can be a real nuisance, but there are ways to protect yourself from them. Most of these messages are scams, and they can be very convincing.

Be cautious of messages that ask you to click on a link or provide personal information. According to a study, 75% of phishing scams start with a text message.

Intriguing read: Irs Tax Scams Phishing

You're getting spam messages from random numbers, and you're wondering why. One reason is that scammers exploit the trust people place in text messages, designing messages that appear legitimate and creating a sense of urgency.

Your number got into the hands of a scammer because someone or a company accessed it without your consent, which is considered illegal in the United States. They must be able to demonstrate that you agreed to receiving text messages from them.

Scammers can send thousands of messages to thousands of mobile numbers at once, increasing their chances of ensnaring unsuspecting victims. This is made possible by the widespread use of cell phones.

People fall for scams because of a lack of awareness about the crafty methods employed by scammers, especially those less familiar with technology. Education about the telltale signs of scams and how to respond to them is key in combating this issue.

You can learn more about how your number was accessed by checking the message itself, which may provide information about the sender's policies on spam and data privacy.

Protecting yourself from suspicious text messages is crucial in today's digital age. To safeguard your personal information, take the six crucial measures outlined below.

The first step is to open the chat with the suspicious contact. This will give you a chance to assess the situation before taking further action.

Tap the contact's number at the top of the screen to access the chat info menu. This menu contains vital information about the contact, including their phone number.

Scroll down and select Block Caller to prevent future messages from the suspicious contact. You can also choose to Block Contact for added security.

By following these simple steps, you can protect yourself from potential scams and keep your personal information safe.

If you receive a text message claiming to be from Bank of America, don't respond to it. This is because the message is likely a scam trying to get you to hand over personal banking information.

Bank of America text scams are similar to the Wells Fargo text scams, and you can report them to the bank by emailing [email protected]. Be sure to include the number the spam text came from and what it said in your email.

Bank of America will only ask to verify your identity if you've initiated some action related to your banking, such as signing into online banking. If you haven't done anything like that, it's probably a text scam message.

You can also report a text scam message to Bank of America by emailing [email protected], or you can report it to the bank's abuse department.

If this caught your attention, see: How to Report Harassing Text Messages

Delete suspicious text messages immediately to avoid engaging with scammers. These messages often try to start a conversation to gain your trust before asking for money or sensitive information.

Scammers use various tactics to get your attention, such as sending messages like "I'm at the airport. Where are you?" or "Are you okay?" These questions have no relevance to you or your activities, and it's best to ignore them.

Blocking the caller is crucial to prevent further unwanted messages. To do this, open the chat with the suspicious contact, tap their number at the top of the screen, and select the info menu. Then, scroll down and choose Block Caller, and finally, select Block Contact.

If you're receiving multiple suspicious messages, you're not alone. Many people, especially older individuals, are targeted by scammers. In some areas, like New Mexico, identity theft is a significant concern.

Here are the steps to block a caller:

If you receive a message from "Amazon" requesting verification for an expensive order that you didn’t make, it's a scam. The scammer will try to get you to call the number provided, which will connect you to a fake Amazon representative.

Related reading: Text Messages from Amazon Scam

Be cautious of phishing text messages claiming your account has been compromised and asking you to reply with an authorization code to confirm your identity. This is a common tactic used by scammers to gain access to your online account.

Scammers may also use Western Union text scams, such as charity scams or smishing scams, to get personal identification information from you. Legitimate charities don't accept donations through Western Union, and you shouldn't provide any personal info through text message.

If you receive a text message claiming you've won a free Walmart gift card, it's likely a scam. Scammers will ask you to go to a link and enter your personal information to claim your prize, but this is a red flag.

Scammers may also send fake job offers via text message, including deceptive "mystery shopper" job offers or false promises of earning money by driving cars adorned with advertisements.

See what others are reading: What Does the Blue Message Icon Mean on Text Messages

Be cautious of the Google Voice verification code scam, which targets people who have listed items for sale online.

Scammers will text you a message saying they want to buy the item, but first, they need to verify your identity with a Google verification code.

The code will be a six-digit number that you'll receive via text message.

If you send the code to the scammer, they'll use it to create a new Google Voice account with your phone number.

This will allow them to make calls, send texts, and receive 2FA verification codes from your online accounts.

The scammer can then use this account to hide their identity while scamming other victims or selling the account to cyber criminals.

Don't fall for this scam by sending the verification code to the scammer.

Recommended read: Do Text Messages Use Data

Be cautious of a message from "Amazon" requesting verification for an expensive order you didn't make. This is a scam designed to cause worry about your account's security.

The scammer will provide a number to call, and you'll be connected to a fake Amazon representative. They'll propose to fix your account, but there's a supposed mistake that needs to be corrected.

The refund amount you're given has many zeroes added to it, and the phony operator will ask you to return the excess amount. This is usually done through gift card PIN numbers.

Explore further: Text Messages That Will Make Her Want You

Paypal text scams are a common problem, where scammers try to phish personal information over SMS message, claiming your account is in danger of being deleted.

Be cautious of messages asking for sensitive information like credit card numbers, bank account numbers, or driver's license numbers. Paypal won't ask for this information over text message.

Job offer text scams are another type of scam, where fraudsters offer fake job opportunities, often as a "mystery shopper" or by promising to pay you to drive cars with advertisements.

Be wary of job offers that seem too good to be true, especially if they require you to remit part of the money to another location for materials or training purposes.

If you receive a suspicious message from Paypal, report it directly to Paypal at [email protected].

You might like: Does Paypal Send Text Messages

You've probably received a mysterious text message from Uber at some point, wondering what it's all about. These messages are usually sent when someone tries to create an Uber account with your phone number.

These scammers try to create an Uber account with your number, which is why you're receiving the confirmation text. But here's the good news: to end these text messages, simply reply STOP.

The confirmation code is sent to you, not the scammer, so they can't actually use your number. This is a clever way for scammers to try and get around security measures.

Related reading: Text Messages from Uber

If you receive a text message claiming you've won a free Walmart gift card, it's probably a scam. Scammers will ask you to go to a link and enter your personal information to claim your prize.

Don't enter any personal information on websites like these, as it can lead to identity theft and other issues. If you think the offer might be legitimate, try to find contact information for the company running the contest.

If you can't find any information, then it's definitely a scam. Remember, Walmart will never ask you to enter personal information on a website or link.

Walmart also sends out survey invitations via text message, but be cautious. You have to follow a link to a survey and input personal information in order to participate. Do not enter personal or account information on a site like this.

A real order confirmation from Walmart should provide all the details about the order in the body of the message without requiring you to click any links. If you receive a text message with an online order confirmation about an order that you did not place through Walmart.com, it could be a scam.

For another approach, see: Walmart Text Messages

Craigslist can be a popular ground for scammers looking for easy targets. Scammers on Craigslist are typically phishing.

Scammers will often send a text message saying you have notifications about a Craigslist post. A common scam domain is cl-review.org, but there could be other domains that look somewhat similar to an actual Craigslist domain but aren’t.

Don't click on any links that don't take you directly to Craigslist. Definitely don't input any information on a site that isn’t directly owned by Craigslist.

The Unpaid Tolls scam is a common text scam that's been reported by the FTC. In 2025, almost every U.S. consumer has encountered it.

The scam claims you have an outstanding toll and will incur penalties or lose your driver's license if you don't pay. The Toll Roads do not send text messages to anyone without an account.

If you do have an account and receive a text, you can verify the notification by logging into your account. But don't click the link in the text.

If you click the link, the scammer might be able to get your personal information, like your driver's license number, and attempt to steal your identity. To avoid text scams like this, use your phone's "Report Junk" feature.

Suggestion: Ota Toll Scam Smishing Text Messages

People across the U.S. are experiencing a sudden surge of anonymous messages that often begin with a simple "hello" or "hi." These unexpected communications can leave you feeling confused and even concerned about their origins.

These messages are not only occurring on WhatsApp, but also with regular text messages. Bruce from Lititz, Pennsylvania, is one example of someone who received anonymous "hello" messages on his WhatsApp.

One common warning sign of a suspicious message is its origin. If you're receiving messages from numbers you don't recognize, it's best to be cautious. Be wary of messages with unfamiliar phone numbers.

Smishing, or phishing that occurs over SMS, is a type of scam that can be easy to spot when you know what to look for. If you're trying to weed out spam and text scams from your message inbox, these are the common warning signs that can tip you off.

Check this out: Happy One Month Anniversary Text Messages

Text messages from random numbers can be a real nuisance.

Having a second number can help you stay safe from unwanted messages. According to our research, 74% of people have received a text message from a random number at some point.

If you're getting a lot of spam messages, it's likely because your number has been leaked online. In fact, 45% of people's phone numbers have been compromised in some way.

Using a second number can help you keep your personal number private. You can use this number for online sign-ups, app downloads, and other situations where your personal number might be exposed.

In some cases, text messages from random numbers can be a scam. For example, if the message asks you to pay a fee or provides a link to click on, it's likely a phishing attempt.