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The FBI is not telling people to stop using text messages. Its warning is about smishing—fraudulent SMS or MMS messages that impersonate banks, government offices, delivery companies, relatives, executives, or other trusted contacts.
The safest response to an unexpected, suspicious text is usually no response at all. Do not click its link, scan its QR code, call the number it provides, or reply—even with “STOP”—until you have independently verified who sent it.
Which text messages should you not reply to?
Treat an unexpected message as suspicious when it does one or more of the following:
- Starts with a casual “hello,” “hey,” or a supposed wrong-number conversation.
- Claims to be from your bank, a payment service, the DMV, a toll agency, a delivery company, the IRS, or another government office.
- Says your account, payment, package, loan, tax refund, or toll bill requires immediate action.
- Asks you to reply YES, NO, Y, 1, or STOP.
- Requests a password, one-time authentication code, Social Security number, bank details, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or identity document.
- Asks you to continue the conversation on Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp, or another encrypted messaging app.
- Comes from a new number but claims to be a friend, relative, government official, executive, or business contact.
- Includes a link, QR code, attachment, or phone number that you are expected to use.
The FTC has also warned about fake-loan messages that invite a response such as “NO.” Even that reply can confirm that your number is active and begin a conversation designed to collect personal information.
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Why replying to a scam text can make things worse
A reply does not prove that you have been hacked, but it gives the sender useful information and creates an opening for manipulation. Scammers can use the response to:
- Confirm that a real person monitors the number.
- Send more convincing follow-up messages.
- Arrange a phone call from a spoofed bank or government number.
- Move the conversation to Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp, or another service.
- Ask for a login code, payment, personal document, or access to an account.
One FBI-documented pattern involves a bank-fraud text asking the recipient to answer “Yes” or “No” about a supposed transaction. After the recipient replies, the criminal calls while appearing to use the bank’s legitimate support number and attempts to persuade the victim to authorize an unauthorized payment.
Caller ID, a familiar contact name, a profile photo, or a local-looking phone number is not proof of identity. All of those details can be spoofed or imitated.
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“STOP” is useful for some legitimate marketing-message programs, but it is not a universal unsubscribe command. If the message is clearly unsolicited or fraudulent, replying—even with “STOP”—can confirm that the number is active and may result in more messages.
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Do not use the phone number, website link, or contact details supplied by the suspicious text. If the message claims to be from your bank, open the bank’s official app or type its website address yourself. You can also call the number printed on the back of your card. For a supposed friend or relative, contact them through a number or account you already trust.
What to do when a suspicious text arrives
- Stop interacting with it. Do not reply, click, call, scan, or open an attachment.
- Verify independently if necessary. Use the organization’s official app, a website address you enter yourself, or a known telephone number.
- Report the message. Use your phone’s built-in spam-reporting option and forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) if your carrier supports it.
- Block the sender. This may stop messages from that number, although scammers can switch numbers.
- Report financial or identity fraud. File a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Report internet-enabled crime to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
If you already gave away a password, change it through the real service’s website and enable multifactor authentication. If you disclosed a bank or card number, contact the financial institution using its official number. Never provide a one-time authentication code to someone who contacted you unexpectedly; the FBI says these codes should not be shared by text, email, phone, or an encrypted messaging app.
How to report and block texts on an iPhone
Report an unopened message
- Open Messages.
- Swipe left on the conversation.
- Tap Delete.
- Tap Delete and Report Spam.
Report a message you opened
Open the message and tap Report Spam at the bottom. Then tap Delete and Report Spam.
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Apple notes that this reporting option can depend on the carrier and country or region. It is also unavailable through this option after you have replied to the message.
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Block the sender
- Open the conversation in Messages.
- Tap the person’s icon at the top.
- Tap Info.
- Scroll down and tap Block Contact.
Filter messages from unknown senders
- Open Messages.
- Tap Filter in the upper-right corner.
- Tap Manage Filtering.
- Turn on Screen Unknown Senders.
On iOS 26, suspected junk may also appear under Messages > Filter > Spam. To manage the centralized blocked-contact list on iOS 26, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Blocked Contacts. Older iOS versions may place blocked contacts under Settings > Messages.
How to report and block texts in Google Messages
Block and report a conversation
- Open Google Messages.
- Touch and hold the suspicious conversation.
- Tap Block.
- Tap Report spam.
- Tap OK.
The conversation is moved to Spam & blocked, and reporting also blocks the sender. You can report from an open conversation by selecting More options > Details > Block and report spam > OK.
Turn on spam protection
- Open Google Messages.
- Tap your profile picture or initials.
- Tap Messages settings.
- Tap Spam protection.
- Turn on Enable spam protection.
Google says this feature is enabled automatically when it is available on a device. To review messages that were blocked, go to Profile picture or icon > More options > Spam and blocked.
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What if the text contains a threat?
For an ordinary scam, report the message and delete it. If it contains a credible threat, preserve evidence first: take screenshots and record the sender, date, and time. Do not delete it before contacting local law enforcement or the FBI. Electronic messages may contain useful forensic evidence.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the FBI warning does—and does not—say
| Claim | Accurate? | What to understand |
|---|---|---|
| “The FBI says never send texts from an iPhone or Android phone.” | No | The warning concerns suspicious, unverified messages—not ordinary texting. |
| “Every text from an unknown number is dangerous.” | Too broad | Unknown messages deserve caution and verification, but not every one is necessarily malicious. |
| “Replying STOP always removes you from the list.” | No | It may work for a legitimate messaging program, but replying to a scam can confirm your number is active. |
| “A familiar caller ID or contact name proves the message is real.” | No | Names, numbers, photos, and caller ID can be spoofed. |
| “It is safe to share a two-factor code with a claimed bank or official.” | No | Never share an authentication code with an unexpected contact. |
The FBI’s December 19, 2025 update also describes criminals using text messages and AI-generated voice messages to impersonate senior U.S. officials. The criminals may then move targets to encrypted apps and request authentication codes, documents, money, cryptocurrency, or introductions to additional contacts. The same basic defense applies: verify the person independently and do not send sensitive information.
FAQ
Should I reply STOP to a suspicious text?
No. Do not reply to an obvious scam, including with “STOP.” Report and block the message instead. Use STOP only when you know the message comes from a legitimate service you intentionally subscribed to.
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Receiving a text alone usually does not give the sender access to your phone. The danger is interacting with it—replying, clicking a link, calling a supplied number, installing software, or sharing credentials and codes.
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What number should I forward spam texts to?
Forward unwanted texts to 7726, which spells SPAM, if your mobile carrier supports the service. You can also use the spam-reporting feature in Apple Messages or Google Messages.
What should I do if I already replied?
Stop the conversation, do not provide further information, and report and block the sender. If you shared a password, change it through the legitimate service. If you shared bank details or sent money, contact your financial institution immediately using an official number and report the incident to the FTC or IC3.
The Bottom Line
Do not reply to an unexpected text that creates urgency, impersonates a trusted organization or person, asks for sensitive information, or directs you to another app. Verify the sender through a trusted channel, then report and block the message. The FBI warning is about deceptive messages—not a ban on normal smartphone texting.
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