Does it ever feel like text spammers are getting better at their jobs? That's because they are.
Text message spam is increasing across the United States, and it's quickly becoming difficult to escape. While carriers and phone providers are cracking down on text spam, there are still a lot of fake text messages flying around.
As part of our efforts in the war on spam, we've taken it upon ourselves to round up the most up-to-date information on the state of spam, including how to prevent becoming a victim of text phishing.
Topics featured in this statistical roundup include:
The TRACED ACT
On Dec. 30, 2019, former President Trump signed a bill called the TRACED Act. This bill put rules and in place to deter criminal robocall violations, but many scammers are working around this bill by sending out text messages instead. Some of the requirements include:
With spam texts rising, authorities, carriers, and communication services are taking a few measures to crack down on spam. One of these measures (which will affect our customers the most) requires all toll-free numbers to be registered.
The toll-free verification process is not currently required, but we expect it to be in the coming months. The process is designed to reduce unwanted messages and spam, which we already strive for at Text-Em-All. It's the reason 94% of our toll-free numbers are already registered.
At Text-Em-All, we've decided to stand against bad traffic, but not because of a hidden business incentive—quite the opposite. Our Customer Experience team turns down new business almost hourly from parties calling to ask how to get started with spamming their call lists.
We do this to make a real difference in the lives of those who need to communicate with their audiences.
All messages sent from our platform must also be TCPA compliant. To ensure your messages are TCPA compliant, read our blog: The Complete TCPA Compliance Checklist for Business Messaging.
You're probably wondering how bad the text spam problem actually is. After reviewing the stats, we can honestly say that it's pretty bad. Not convinced? Please look at our up-to-date statistics on the state of text spam.
Over the last year, Americans received:
Text spammers targeted these states the most in September 2023:
Sources: Robokiller
There’s definitely been an increase in spam texts. While COVID-19 and the TRACED Act have contributed to the rising text spam rates, the growth of technology is also making it even easier for individuals to get scammed. Here are some comprehensive statistics on the growth of text spam in the last few years:
Sources: Proofpoint, Truecaller, Robokiller
The top 5 text scams of 2021 were:
Source: Robokiller
Sources: Truecaller
Sources: FTC, Truecaller 1, Truecaller 2
Sources: Truecaller
Sources: FTC
Sources: Proofpoint, Venturebeat
Sources: Proofpoint 1, Proofpoint 2
Once you receive a spam text, blocking or reporting the number is critical. This will protect you and may save others from phishing attempts. Here are a few different options to report spam:
[To read more about these options, check out our blog post: Fighting Digital Clutter: How to Stop Spam Texts.]
The increase in text spam combined with the financial implications of text scams rightfully triggers nervousness in individuals. Here are some answers to some of the most-asked questions regarding spam texts.
A phishing text message is a spam message designed to gather personal and financial information from its target. Phishing through text is also referred to as "smishing" (SMS phishing).
You cannot be scammed just by opening spam text messages. However, if you take further action in the text message, you could risk getting scammed or hacked. The best rule to follow is to avoid engaging with unknown senders.
Many signs that your phone has been hacked or has malware are obvious. These signs include:
You can be hacked by answering fake text messages. Malware that can collect your personal or financial information may be installed if you respond to the text message. DO NOT respond to SMS spam.
If you click a link in a phishing text, malware, spyware or ransomware may be installed on your mobile phone.
If you've clicked a link in a phishing text:
Read more about what to do after clicking on a phishing link.
Your phone will remain safe from infection by a spam text message as long as you refrain from responding to the message or clicking on any included links.
Texting a scammer back could confirm your active phone number and lead to more scam attempts. They may try to get personal information, send phishing links, or engage in social engineering tactics. It's best to avoid responding and report the message instead.
You may be getting spam texts due to your number being randomly targeted, data leaks, or online activity. To reduce spam:
In a world where communication is vital, Text-Em-All stands as your trusted partner in reaching your audience effectively and efficiently. With our commitment to reducing unwanted messages and spam, we're here to empower you with personalized, informational, and emergency text messages, whether you're connecting with a small group or a vast audience.
Explore the power of Text-Em-All today to experience seamless, high-impact messaging.