How to block incoming text messages
In the cellular world, spam isn’t free. On your computer, it’s a mere annoyance. But when you receive unsolicited messages on your cell phone, it costs money. So if you’re not one of the many who have text messaging bundles, you’re going to need a way to filter out these messages. But how?
The problem is that this varies by carrier. Surprising as it may be, many carriers don’t offer you the option of blocking text messages from a certain number. Logic dictates that this should be a service offered by carriers, if for no other reason than to curb harassing communication.
Some carriers don’t even allow you the option to block text messages at all. This seems a bit odd as well. Some people genuinely do not want to use text messaging. Since they clearly would not be subscribing to a messaging bundle, they’d be charged for each text sent to them.
Take my mother for instance. She hasn’t a clue how to text message. But when I went to help her with her phone, I found a number of them in her inbox. They were from friends and family, and with good intentions. However, my mother was not aware of their presence. She was obviously charged for these text messages. If she had the ability to turn text messaging off — which makes sense, because she doesn’t use the feature — she wouldn’t have been charged.
Blocking texts from a specific phone number
Did you know that of the carriers I talked to from our pay-as-you-go phone providers, only one has the ability to block text messages from an individual number? That would be Alltel. They have a feature called Message Register, which allows you to block communications from specific people. Why other carriers don’t implement this kind of feature, I’ll never know.
So if you’re getting harassing text messages, you’d better hope you’re on Alltel. If not, your options are precious few. Actually, there’s only one option: Turn off text messaging completely. And even then, there’s no guarantee that your provider can do that.
Turn it off totally
A few carriers do allow you to completely turn off your text messaging functions. With it turned off, you’re effectively blocking text messages, and thereby will not be charged for them.
So if you’re a customer of Verizon, AT&T, or Virgin Mobile, you can call customer service and have them shut off your text messaging feature. And that will be the end of that.
The prepaid unlimited carriers are similar. You can turn off text messaging in total, but not block from certain numbers. Not that turning off text messaging will save you money. It’s all unlimited with Cricket and MetroPCS, so turning off text messaging only serves to hinder annoyances.
You’ll get text messages whether you like it or not
Are you a customer of T-Mobile or Boost? Well, then you’re just going to have to deal with annoying text messages. Neither company will shut off your text messaging, no matter how many harassing text messages you receive.
I don’t understand how this is good company policy. Yes, there is money to be made in SMS. But there’s further money to be made in customer satisfaction. This goes doubly for prepaid. If a customer does not like a service, he or she can walk away.
So if you don’t plan to use SMS, it might not be a good idea to go with Boost or T-Mo. Even if you don’t give out your number — which could help ensure that you don’t get charged for text messages — there’s always the possibility that you’re inheriting the number of a big texter.
What about Tracfone
What would an article about prepaid providers be without the nation’s No. 1 carrier? They’re left off to a section of their own because I found it difficult to get a straight answer out of them. Yes, they said, you can block SMS messages. “There are ways to do it,” said the representative. But when I pressed for specifics, I was stonewalled.
The solution with Tracfone: Buy one of their old phones which don’t support SMS. Yeah, they’re archaic, but they ensure that you won’t incur charges for unwanted messages — because you won’t be able to receive them in the first place.
A note about shortcodes
I’ve seen forum posts which claim that you can text message “B [phone number you wish to block]” to shortcode 8888. I have not heard any confirmation of this, nor have I tried it myself. Has anyone else? It seems to me that if this does work, it doesn’t block the text message at the carrier’s switch. Which means that you’ll still be charged, even if you don’t ever receive the message.
Blocking text message spam
If it’s not an individual you’re after, but rather it’s text message spam you want to stop, there is a way. Carriers do offer an option where you can block emails coming to you via an Internet protocol. Since spam is mostly sent en masse through teh Internet, blocking Internet-based messages will curb your daily dose of SMS spam.
You can also block text messages coming to your phone number @ your carrier.com (e.g., 1234567890@t-mobile.com). This is another frequent source of spam.
Report spam
In any event, should you receive text message spam, you should immediately report it to your service provider. Many of them, like Verizon, will give you a credit for the spam message. Not all carriers do this, but even if they don’t, still make sure to inform them of spam. Hey, maybe it will help them wake up one day and do more about it.
We all hate spam. So let’s do all we can to eradicate ourselves of it.
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Any tips on fixing missing incoming text messages?
Posted on April 18th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Oh, outgoing problem as well.
Posted on April 18th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
No, I’m sorry Melissa, but I don’t have any advice on that. I know it’s a common problem, usually occurring when you get texts from an carrier other than your own. But that’s a problem completely with the carrier’s switch.
Posted on April 25th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Using the short code 8888 than B and number does work on blocking incoming text messages
Posted on July 24th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
IS THERE ANYWAY TO READ ALL THE TEXT MESSAGES THAT HAS BEEN SENT TO A TRACFONE?
Posted on September 2nd, 2008 at 12:16 am
I’m trying to help my boyfriend find a good pay as you plan. He has an ex-wife that fills his vm with vulgarities. He needs to be in touch with her because of their son. What I’m trying to locate for him is a cheap phone that he can change his current number to, that has very limited minutes and NO texting. This number will be for the ex. He’ll get another phone for the other people in his life. Your help is GREATLY appreciated.
Sincerely,
Lynda
Posted on September 15th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Lynda, I would look into Page Plus, since their minutes expire after 120 days. That means he can spend less money and it will last longer.
Posted on September 16th, 2008 at 10:09 am
So once you use the short code 8888 b and the number, how do you reverse getting the text messages? If you wanted to do so.
Posted on October 8th, 2008 at 7:43 am
My Dad took text messaging of my phone and my brother’s phone. We really want to get it back, he took off the abilities to send and to recieve text messages. We are with Verizon Wireless, how would we get it back without him finding out?
Posted on December 25th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I wanted to know How do I block text messages from other people but, not from the tracfone company
Posted on December 27th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
my phones says that i have at ext message-e.g. on the top icon of my wallpaper screen i get the normal message icon come up but when i check i dont actually have any un read text messages!!!??- strange…can any1 help me out. thankyou
Posted on December 30th, 2008 at 9:27 pm
I called boost about some web charges and asked them to block everything (since I only use the phone part.) The agent said he was blocking everything, but I never heard him say texting. I asked him about blocking texts and he said he couldn’t do it. He then asked if there was anything else and I said yea there was, please ask your supervisor why you cant block texts.. he mumbled please hold.. he came back on the phone a few minutes later and said that my supervisor talked to her supervisor and they did a “Packet data block” on my phone and I will no longer receive texts on my boost mobile phone. I hope this helps all of you!! YOU MUST BE FORWARD AND WILLING TO ARGUE TO GET WHAT YOU WANT!!
Posted on March 23rd, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Mobile phone utilities like TextGuard can help you block selected phone numbers. It not only provides mobile phone security, bu monitoring and archiving text messages for you on a remote server, but it also allows you to block selected numbers, so that you do not receive messages from them. TextGuard is a handy utility and currently works on BlackBerry and Windows Mobile phones, with Symbian and Android support being released soon. Users can block unwanted message spam as well as text messages from selected numbers.
Posted on April 2nd, 2009 at 8:04 am
The post about 8888B-# to block texts from a specific number: was that for Tracfones?
Any info on how to unblock a number if you want it back?
Thanks all for your input.
Posted on April 2nd, 2009 at 9:01 am
That’s is UNTRUE about alltell being the only prepaid that can block text by phone number…..You can block incoming text by phone number with VIRGIN MOBILE!
Posted on June 19th, 2009 at 11:47 am
omg tmobile is the best!! even tho they cant shut off this service… who cares really!! if u get harrasing messages then u could report it..DUH!!!
Posted on July 30th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
I’ve tried the B (number you want blocked) and then sent it to 8888 and it only works for alltel. My boyfriend has US Cellular and we tried it on his and they send a text message back saying it doesn’t work for his system.
Posted on August 3rd, 2009 at 11:45 am
and to unblock a number thats been blocked you send U (plus the 10 digit number you blocked) to 8888.
Posted on August 3rd, 2009 at 11:46 am
This was Tracfone’s response to the question about blocking ALL test messaging to a phone.
“Please be advised that TracFone Wireless will not be able to block or
deactivate the text messaging feature on your phone. Text messaging is a
free built-in feature of the phone. Removing this feature may affect the
phone’s performance.
Text messaging is a quick and easy way to stay in touch with your
friends and family when it is difficult to talk. You can send a text
message of up to 160 characters directly to most other wireless phones.
Text messaging rates vary based on the phone model and technology.
Should you have any further questions or concerns, please contact one of
our customer care representatives at 1-800-867-7183.”
Just let me say thanks to the Rons at Trac CS for this usfull response. I’m unsure how to say “I don’t want it no matter how wonderful you think it is”, to them.
Ray
Posted on August 29th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
There have been several questions about Shortcodes. I have used the 8888 shortcode with success. To block send a text to 8888, in the message line put B + the 10 digit number. For example B9195548741. If it doesn’t work leave a space between the B and the number. Ex: B 9195548741. To unblock, sent U + 10 digit number to 8888. This works for Alltel I can confirm, I’m going to try my verizon phone this evening!!
Posted on October 5th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
If you have sprint and you would like to block texts from a certain number, text 9999. in the message line put the ten digit number and send.
Posted on October 14th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
You can block incoming text with Boost Mobile by sending a text to 9999. Type the word Block then enter a space then the number youwant to block (area code first). You will then get a confirmation stating the number is blocked.
Posted on October 22nd, 2009 at 10:00 am
The 8888 thing does not work for Verizon
Posted on November 29th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Tried texting B then a space and the 10 digit number for Alltel/Verizon and it worked. They send a confirmation text to you letting you know it is blocked successfully. Thanks to all for the info
Posted on December 1st, 2009 at 8:42 pm
this works for sprint
Posted on December 3rd, 2009 at 11:43 am
ok i hav boost mobile and they told me that as long as the number is not in your phonebook u go thru your menu into profiles under standard hit edit then call filters click notifications and u can choose to block just txts calls or all etc but now im jus gettin txts from the same person jus without the # being saved.. i tired both te B########## to 8888 and block ########## to 9999 n neither seem to hav worked– i hav boost HELP i havb a stalker and cant change my # due to my business
Posted on January 8th, 2010 at 2:18 am
how can i block unwanted textmessages from individuals on a LG Keybo.
my provider Telus said they cant block it in there system. is there a way to do it on my phone myself instead of turning off all texting?
Posted on January 27th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
Is there some possible way to block a caller on a Samsung SCH-R451C Straight Talk phone using the 1000 minute cards purchased at Walmart? My 12 year-old is getting harassing texts from a bully 24/7 and she is a prisoner of her phone unless she turns it off and is not able to use it. PLEASE HELP US!!!!!
Posted on February 5th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Also, I forgot to mention that I already contacted the company with no luck. Is there any shortcodes out there that will work? I tried B ########## w/o any luck either.
Posted on February 5th, 2010 at 3:01 pm