Learn How to Stop Election Spam

As election season approaches, there's a sense of excitement in the air, but one thing that many people dread is the influx of political campaign messages.

Whether you’re planning to vote or still undecided, the bombardment of candidate texts can be overwhelming. It feels like your phone is constantly buzzing with a new political pitch, poll, or reminder to support a certain candidate.

According to Dealnew, the 2024 election cycle is on track to break records for the number of political spam texts sent to Americans. On average, people are receiving around 50 of these messages, which is a significant jump from previous elections. If you're one of the many individuals finding your phone inundated with unwanted texts, it’s understandable to want to know how to make it stop. But don't worry! We're here to help with some simple, actionable strategies to reduce the frustration of political spam messages.

Let’s break down some of the most effective ways to handle this problem, based on advice from Dealnew.

Why Is This Happening?

First, it's helpful to understand why you're receiving these messages in the first place. Political campaigns have found text messaging to be one of the most effective ways to reach voters directly. Whether it’s a call to action, a reminder to vote, or a persuasive message about a particular candidate, campaigns use bulk text services to get their message in front of as many people as possible.

Unfortunately, political messages are exempt from the protections offered by the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Do Not Call Registry. This means that, even if you’ve taken steps to block telemarketing and spam calls, political campaigns can still legally contact you. Moreover, data brokers often sell phone numbers in bulk, making it easy for campaigns to acquire your information without you even realizing it.

It may seem like the messages will never end, but Dealnew offers several strategies that can help put a stop to them or at least significantly reduce their frequency.

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Respond with "STOP"

A simple yet effective first step to cutting down the number of texts from political campaigns is responding with the word "STOP." Many legitimate organizations, including political campaigns, will respect your request to opt out of receiving further texts. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), they are required to honor such requests due to strict communication guidelines.

While responding "STOP" may not always work, especially with some shady or aggressive campaigns, it’s a good first step. If you receive a message from a legitimate organization, they should immediately stop sending you texts once they’ve received your reply.

Keep in mind that responding to every single message can feel tedious, especially during a busy election season, so there are additional ways to protect yourself.

Report Messages to the FCC and FTC

If responding with "STOP" doesn’t seem to be effective, or if you’re receiving a suspicious amount of messages, it’s time to get the authorities involved. Both the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have dedicated services for reporting unwanted spam texts.

When you report these texts to the FCC or FTC, you help bring attention to organizations that are abusing communication channels, violating rules, or sending messages without proper consent. These organizations investigate and have the power to take action against those that break the rules.

Filing a report might not immediately stop the texts from coming through, but it's an important part of the broader effort to reduce the number of political spam messages being sent nationwide. By doing your part, you're helping make sure that future campaigns think twice before overloading people with unwanted messages.

Enable Spam Filtering on Your Device

For iPhone and Android users, there are built-in spam filtering options that can be a game-changer when it comes to managing unwanted texts. Both operating systems have developed powerful filters designed to identify and separate potential spam messages from legitimate ones.

On iPhones, you can activate the "Filter Unknown Senders" option by going to your Messages settings. Once enabled, this feature will automatically move messages from unknown numbers into a separate folder, ensuring that they don’t clutter your main inbox. It’s a great way to ensure that political spam doesn’t mix in with important personal texts.

Android users have a similar feature called "Spam Protection," which can be turned on through the Google Messages app. This setting will filter messages from unknown or suspicious numbers, making it easier to manage political texts without having to go through each message manually.

Spam filtering technology is improving all the time, so these tools are becoming increasingly effective at identifying political messages and spam.

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Use Call and Text Blocking Apps

Sometimes, built-in spam filters aren’t enough. In cases where you're receiving a large volume of political texts, it may be helpful to download a specialized app that is designed to block both calls and messages. Dealnew mentions apps like Robokiller and Nomorobo as excellent options for blocking unwanted texts, including those from political campaigns.

These apps work by identifying numbers that have been reported as spam or part of mass messaging campaigns. Once the app detects that the text comes from a suspicious source, it automatically blocks or filters the message so that it doesn’t reach your inbox. Over time, these apps become more efficient, as they rely on user-reported data to improve their detection abilities.

While these apps often come with a small subscription fee, they can be well worth the investment if you’re overwhelmed by political spam. They’ll help ensure that you only receive messages from people who are actually trying to reach you personally.

Forward Spam Texts to Your Carrier

Another useful method of combatting political spam texts is forwarding the message to your carrier’s spam reporting service. Most major carriers, including AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, offer a service where you can forward unwanted texts to the number 7726 (which spells out "SPAM"). Once forwarded, your carrier will take steps to investigate the number and block it from sending further texts.

By reporting these messages directly to your carrier, you help them build a database of spammy numbers. This enables the carrier to take action on a larger scale, blocking problematic numbers before they can send additional texts to other customers.

This is a quick and simple way to contribute to the fight against political spam texts. It’s also a great tool to use if the messages you’re receiving are particularly persistent.

Spotting the Signs of a Scam Text

While political spam messages are annoying, they’re not typically dangerous. However, you should be cautious of messages that exhibit certain red flags, as these could be phishing attempts or scams designed to steal your information.

Here are some warning signs that a text message might be more than just annoying spam:

• Urgency: Scam messages often create a false sense of urgency, asking you to act quickly or risk missing out on something important.
• Poor Grammar or Spelling: Messages filled with grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, or odd punctuation are a red flag. Legitimate campaigns usually maintain a professional tone.
• Unfamiliar Names: Be cautious of messages that mention people you’ve never heard of. Scammers often use this tactic to seem legitimate, while still preying on your confusion.
• Unbelievable Offers: If a message promises something too good to be true, like winning a prize or a job offer, it’s likely a scam.
• Requests for Personal Information: No legitimate organization will ask you to share personal details, such as your Social Security number, bank account, or credit card information via text message.

If you ever receive a text that raises any of these red flags, it’s best to avoid interacting with it. Do not click on any links or provide any personal information. Instead, report the message and block the sender immediately.

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Be Careful with Links—Even from Acquaintances

One of the sneaky tactics used by both political spam campaigns and scammers is embedding links in their texts. Clicking on these links can lead to phishing websites designed to steal your personal data or install malware on your device. Even if a text seems like it’s from someone you know, always double-check before clicking any links.

Scammers have been known to spoof numbers, making it look like a text is coming from a trusted source when it’s actually from a bad actor. If something feels off about a message, it’s better to be cautious and reach out to the sender directly to confirm its legitimacy.

Spread Awareness and Protect Yourself

Fighting political spam messages isn’t just about protecting yourself—it’s also about promoting awareness among friends, family, and the broader community. Encourage others to take similar steps in reporting spam, filtering their messages, and staying alert to potential scams.

The more people who take action, the harder it will be for spammers to succeed. By working together, we can disrupt their business models and make it more difficult for these unwanted messages to flood our phones.

In Conclusion

The rise in political spam texts during election seasons is a growing frustration for many, and with the 2024 election on the horizon, the problem isn’t likely to go away on its own. Thankfully, Dealnew has provided excellent advice for taking control of your inbox and putting an end to unwanted candidate messages.

By responding with "STOP," reporting messages to the FCC and FTC, enabling spam filters, and utilizing blocking apps, you can significantly reduce the number of political texts you receive. Additionally, staying alert for scams and avoiding suspicious links will keep your personal information safe.

Remember, this is a problem we all face, and with collective action, we can reduce the annoyance of political spam and enjoy a more peaceful election season. Dealnew's advice is a valuable resource, and by following these steps, you'll be well on your way to reclaiming control over your phone!