Leave me alone, Fake Robert Reich

August 26, 2024 1:34 PM

I get too many bulk political texts each day. I need to check my texts / leave the sound on for an ongoing family issue. Why can't I make it stop.

Blocking each individual number (which I do) means nothing. A text from the same source arrives again a few hours later from a different number.

They always say "reply STOP to stop gettiing texts." I spent the first months of this barrage NOT replying, thinking that was probably better, but ignoring it didn't work. However, neither does replying STOP work. Neither way works.

My iphone is set to filter unknown senders / numbers not on my contact list into a different folder, this happens about 1% of the time. Iphone doesn't do what the setting is designed to do, even with software updates.
Any suggestions? .

posted by ojocaliente to Technology (5 answers total)

Well, my Android phone settings probably won't help, but just in case: I use "Do Not Disturb" - Turn On Now - Until I Turn It Off - Hide Notifications - Allow Exceptions (Messages from Contacts Only).
posted by forthright at 1:56 PM on August 26 [3 favorites]

In iPhone, go into Settings > Focus > Do Not Disturb > select people from whom you want to allow notifications. That way you can block everything except family you want to hear from.
posted by CiaoMela at 2:03 PM on August 26 [5 favorites]

I had been getting 10 or so text/ day so I installed the NumberShield app because it can block an entire area code. I noticed many were coming from the same area codes. You can bypass blocking contacts. It has definitely slowed the flow down but it’s not bulletproof.
I also just today put my number on the do not call registry. Don’t know the impact of that yet. You can and should report any spam you get with them once you’ve registered, if you have the precious time.
posted by waving at 4:09 PM on August 26

I believe the iPhone's "do not disturb" mode will allow messages from people on your Favorites list through when it's on. My employer insists the helpdesk phone number is on that list so we can get stuff when we're on call (doesn't happen often, but it does work).
posted by lhauser at 5:58 PM on August 26

Believe it or not, the app Text Killer has been AMAZING at filtering out the spam texts. I was dubious, these things are usually worthless, but I’ve been pleased. I check the filters every few days to be sure I’m not missing anything important and I never am. It just filters the junk.
posted by pearlybob at 3:03 AM on August 27 [1 favorite]