Don't Reply to Unexpected Texts or Calls

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Enable "Filter Unknown Senders" and "Silence Unknown Callers" on your iPhone. Similar features exist for Android devices.

The Common Sense Way to Stay Safe

The simplest and most effective defense against text and phone scams is also the easiest: just ignore them. If you don't engage with unsolicited messages, you eliminate the entire threat. Think about it - scammers can only succeed if you interact with them. By treating unknown messages and calls like background noise and simply ignoring them, you bypass all their tricks and techniques completely.

The Reality of Modern Scams

Text message and phone scams have evolved. While some scammers immediately push for gift cards or financial information, others play a longer game through a technique called "message priming."

Scammers exploit basic human psychology, particularly our natural curiosity and desire to reconnect with people from our past. When you receive that simple "Hi" or "Hello" message, they're counting on you wondering if it might be an old friend or forgotten connection trying to reach out. But here's the reality: if it really was someone from your past trying to get in touch, they would likely call and leave a voicemail, or reach out through legitimate social media channels. That random text is almost certainly the beginning of a scam attempt.

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Written by Daniel Oakley — 20+ years in cybersecurity, father of four.

Why You Should Ignore Unsolicited Messages

The Common Sense Way to Stay Safe

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