At one point or another, you've probably fallen victim to a barrage of texts from telemarketers, pranksters, or even scammers. Admittedly, this can get annoying really fast. If targeted at a child, it could even cause untold consequences, like the leaking of sensitive information or even financial loss. Fortunately, uMobix allows you to block any texts and calls you wouldn't want your child to receive. Now, we know what you're thinking – is it illegal to sign someone up for spam texts? Let's find out.

The Legality of Spam Texts

The CAN-SPAM Act is a law passed in 2003 that details the US's national standards for sending commercial emails and electronic messages. This law garnered plenty of backlash from critics because it essentially allowed many types of email spam. However, it does enforce certain requirements, which, when broken, can attract penalties of up to $53,088 per non-compliant message. These requirements include:

  • You can't use false or misleading header information. 
  • You shouldn't use deceptive subject lines.
  • You must disclose explicitly and conspicuously that your message is an ad.
  • Your message must tell recipients where you're located. 
  • You must inform recipients how to opt out of future marketing messages from you.
  • Your subscribers and members must also have a way to opt out of marketing emails from you.
  • You must honour their opt-out requests promptly.
  • You are legally responsible for any messages another company or party sends out on your behalf. 

Now that we've explored the legal question of spam texts, let's explore how they get to you in the first place.

Concerned parent viewing smartphone flooded with spam texts, using uMobix to protect their child
Spam texts can overwhelm your child’s phone. uMobix helps parents monitor and block suspicious messages in real time.

How to Sign Someone Up for Spam Texts

Here's how spammers can get your details and begin sending you a barrage of text messages and emails:

  1. Telemarketing campaigns – Some websites, especially those belonging to banks, insurance companies, and investment firms, may start sending telemarketing messages once you share your details with them. These texts typically include ads or special offers and are usually mass-sent to people using automated programs.
  2. Random number generation – Spammers, especially those looking for a quick payday, may use random number generators to target random phone numbers with their spam texts.
  3. Clicking on suspicious links – Clicking on suspicious links in emails, pop-up ads, or other messages may expose your number or email to spammers.
  4. Responding to spam messages – Take the case of the random number generator – if you replied to such spam messages, even to say STOP, it could confirm your number as active, opening you up to much more targeted spam texts. As these digital threats evolve, it's worth understanding the growing role of AI in cybersecurity and how it's helping to detect and neutralize such malicious behavior.
  5. AutoSender – This is a tool that sends multiple text messages to one or more phone numbers that you provide. This tool is often used to schedule and send texts in bulk, perhaps as a marketing ploy, or even a prank. 

What to Do If You Fall Victim to Spam Texts

If you are already receiving spam texts and calls, here is what to do to prevent it from going on any further:

  • Use call-blocking tools – Most smartphones nowadays come equipped with a call-blocking feature. This allows you to block any numbers that are bombarding you with spam texts or calls. Alternatively, you could use third-party tools like uMobix to help you block these spammers.
  • Report unwanted calls – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is mandated to enforce the CAN-SPAM law we mentioned earlier. As such, you can report any spammers or scammers to them by visiting https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/. 
  • Sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry – Signing up your number for the National Do Not Call Registry prevents telemarketers from contacting you with marketing messages. However, some organizations, like charities, political groups, and the like, may still be able to contact you.
  • Do not answer – If spammers call you, just let it go to voicemail. This can help you verify their legitimacy before allowing them access to you. 

How Does uMobix Work to Prevent Spam?

Smiling woman using a smartphone, promoting uMobix cell phone tracker for modern parents
Monitor your child’s phone activity in real-time with uMobix — the trusted solution for modern parenting.

The uMobix mobile tracker is a robust cell phone monitoring tool that serves a variety of use cases. It allows you to keep tabs on what you hold dear, be it your child, spouse, or employee.

uMobix allows you to see all sent and received messages, including deleted ones. What's more, it covers SMS, MMS, social media platforms, messaging apps, and even dating apps like Tinder, ensuring you leave no stone unturned. It provides valuable information like the number or username that sent these messages, and any files shared within these messages. Once you identify any unscrupulous contacts, it allows you to block these numbers from accessing your kid or spouse.  

Here's how to get started with uMobix:

  1. Register an account on the uMobix website using your email address.
  2. Choose the phone you wish to monitor – whether Android or iOS.
  3. For Android monitoring, follow the instructions sent to your email to install it on your target's phone. For iOS, simply provide their iCloud credentials to begin monitoring.
  4. From your online dashboard, choose the phone numbers you wish to block. 

In a Nutshell

You can get spam calls or texts from clicking suspicious links, signing up for telemarketing campaigns, or even as a result of a prank gone wrong. Some of these spammers may even bombard you with hundreds of texts simultaneously, essentially overwhelming your phone. Fortunately, with uMobix, you can rest easy knowing that you can restrict these spam texts and calls at the click of a button. Alternatively, you could use your phone's built-in call-blocking features to restrict any spammers from calling or texting you.