topic Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List?? in Community Chat

Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

ThinkingOutLoud — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 02:10:51 GMT

Is there something like the do not call list but for texting? Or is there a way to block numbers besides doing it for each individual text? The past couple weeks, I've been getting multiple political texts and i'm tired of it. There should be a way to avoid getting them altogether. Anyone know of something? tia

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

Marp — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 02:16:16 GMT

Effectively political calls are exempt from the do not call list.

They aren't supposed to text without permission but as a local news station reported earlier today granting permission can be passive since the TOS of most websites allow them to share information which essentially gives permission.

There is some kind of prohibition about auto dialers and a requirement for human intervention but I don't recall the specifics.

Blocking individual calls/texts is the only way I know but it is pretty useless when the contacts are through phone banks.

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

Tori3569 — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 02:52:16 GMT

Just blocking individually is the only remedy.

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

Toot1920 — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 02:58:32 GMT

@ThinkingOutLoud, if you have an iPhone, you can block texts. Open the text>on the right side of the number is a small arrow, touch that>touch the info box>you'll find Block Caller, choose that>then go back>choose done. Then you can delete the text. If you have an android phone, you probably can google it.

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

Spacrazy — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 06:39:45 GMT

@ThinkingOutLoud wrote:
Is there something like the do not call list but for texting? Or is there a way to block numbers besides doing it for each individual text? The past couple weeks, I've been getting multiple political texts and i'm tired of it. There should be a way to avoid getting them altogether. Anyone know of something? tia

For an unwanted text message you can type STOP and send it and you shouldn't receive any future texts from this number.

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

781Florist — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 08:06:13 GMT

I don't know if there is a similar program for text messages, but the Do Not Call list is a joke. It is ignored because it apparently has no teeth.

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

jlkz — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 12:05:51 GMT

Agree: Do Not Call list is a waste of time, effort and gov. Money !!!

Last September my carrier finally offered Nomorobo and within days the barrage of call from SC stopped. It is free, easy to set up and works !

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

CalminHeart — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 12:27:27 GMT

I don't know what kind of phone/electronics you have. On my iPhone and iPad, I slide left or click on the phone number that appears at the top of a text and it gives me an option to block.

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

CalminHeart — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 12:30:23 GMT

@Marp wrote:
Effectively political calls are exempt from the do not call list.

They aren't supposed to text without permission but as a local news station reported earlier today granting permission can be passive since the TOS of most websites allow them to share information which essentially gives permission.

There is some kind of prohibition about auto dialers and a requirement for human intervention but I don't recall the specifics.

Blocking individual calls/texts is the only way I know but it is pretty useless when the contacts are through phone banks.

I block political phone numbers and emails as needed. I don't get anymore from those numbers after that. After a while, they stop coming from that particular party or politician.

And you respond with the word stop on business or political texts to stop them from coming.

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

Still Raining — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 13:56:51 GMT

If you have an iPhone, just do like you do for phone calls.

Set up your contacts completely, go to messages and select "unknown" and send them to that trash bin. Then go to notifications and either block or not. Apple will delete after a month.

However, just be aware that unless you leave notifications on or check your trash, you can miss something perhaps. Or not 🤣

Like always you can also block an individual number, but that turns into a loser's game.

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

SaveTheTurtles — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 14:14:33 GMT

Seems like I block one number from a text and they just use another number. It's annoying.

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

JoyFilled Warrior — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 17:36:06 GMT

For calls, seems I accidently found what keeps them from calling back, regardless of what spoofed # they used to call from. I answer: "Hello? Hello? I cant hear you. Hello? Hello? Is there someone there? Hello?

They hang up and never call again!

Time is money to them! heh And I just wasted a lot of their time.

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

Another new name Sue — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 20:58:49 GMT

Block all you want, type “stop” all you want, but they are just like ants and cockroaches. They just keep coming endlessly.

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

SouthernBee — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 21:01:56 GMT

@781Florist : I totally agree. Not to high jack this thread but explaining what happened to me today. I have a land line . I use a Panasonic phone with call blocker, I have the CPR call blocker , and the call block service that my phone come has. The last two days the phone rings all day long and busy blocking calls. I called the phone company this morning to make sure their call block was still enable on my phone. She was very stern stating that I need to register with : Do Not Call. I replied : you can't be serious. That service is a joke.

On my cell phone - I just individually block any unwanted text or phone calls. Wish we had something better for the cell phones and land lines.

@781Florist wrote:
I don't know if there is a similar program for text messages, but the Do Not Call list is a joke. It is ignored because it apparently has no teeth.

Re: Text Block Feature or Do Not Text List??

ThinkingOutLoud — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 22:21:49 GMT

Thanks for the replies. Guess I'll just have to keep responding 'stop' and blocking each number as the texts come in. Frustrating.