How to Report Scam Text Messages (Every Method, 2025)

Reporting scam text messages is one of the most valuable actions you can take — not just for yourself, but for every other person who may receive the same text. Reports submitted to carriers, the FTC, and the FBI contribute to spam filtering databases, law enforcement actions, and public advisories that collectively protect millions of people.

This guide covers every available method for reporting scam texts in the United States, with specific instructions for each platform and agency.

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Method 1 — Forward to 7726 (SPAM) — The Most Important Step

The single most impactful thing you can do with a scam text is forward it to 7726 — the universal shortcode for reporting spam texts in the United States. The number 7726 spells “SPAM” on a standard phone keypad.

This works on all major U.S. carriers: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and most MVNOs.

How to forward a text on iPhone:

Press and hold the scam text message
Tap “More” (appears as an ellipsis or “More…” option)
Tap the forward arrow (bottom right)
Type 7726 in the To: field
Send

How to forward a text on Android (Google Messages):

Press and hold the scam text
Tap the three-dot menu → “Share”
Select “Messages” and enter 7726
Send

After forwarding, your carrier may send a follow-up text asking for the number the scam came from. Reply with that number.

What happens: Your carrier uses 7726 reports to train their spam detection algorithms. The reports are also aggregated and shared with other carriers and law enforcement databases. This is the fastest-acting channel for taking a specific number off the network.

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Method 2 — Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov

The Federal Trade Commission collects scam reports through their consumer complaint portal at reportfraud.ftc.gov. These reports are added to the Consumer Sentinel Network — a database shared with more than 2,800 law enforcement agencies.

What to include in your FTC report:

– The phone number the text came from

– The content of the text (copy and paste it)

– Any link that was included (copy the link without clicking it — on iPhone, press and hold the link and select “Copy”)

– Whether you clicked the link or provided any information

– A screenshot (if you have one)

The FTC does not respond to individual reports with case updates, but the data is actively used in enforcement actions and public warnings.

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Method 3 — Report on Your iPhone

For texts from unknown senders on iPhone:

Open the conversation → tap the number at the top → scroll down and tap “Report Junk.” This reports the message to Apple and moves it to junk. Available only for messages from people not in your contacts.

In iOS 17 and later: iPhone also offers “Delete and Report Junk” as a direct option under some spam messages.

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Method 4 — Report on Android (Google Messages)

Open the spam conversation → tap the three-dot menu in the top right → select “Block & report spam.” Google analyzes reported messages and uses the data to improve spam detection across Android devices.

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Method 5 — Report to the FBI (IC3) for Financial Losses

If you lost money as a result of a scam text — whether through a fraudulent payment page, a fake toll collection, or a crypto investment scam that started with a text — file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

IC3 complaints require:

– Your contact information

– Details about what happened

– Financial loss information (amounts, dates, payment methods)

– Any information you have about the scammer (numbers, links, account names)

The FBI specifically requested IC3 complaints about toll road text scams in their 2024 advisory, and actively uses IC3 data to investigate and prosecute large-scale SMS fraud operations.

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Method 6 — Report to the FCC

The Federal Communications Commission handles complaints about illegal robotexts and spoofed sender numbers. File a complaint at fcc.gov/consumers/guides/filing-informal-complaint.

The FCC’s primary jurisdiction is over the carriers and technology companies enabling scam texts — not individual scammers. FCC enforcement actions can result in significant fines against carriers that fail to implement required spam filtering measures.

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Method 7 — Report to Your Carrier Directly

Most major U.S. carriers have their own fraud reporting mechanisms in addition to 7726:

T-Mobile: T-Mobile’s Scam Shield app includes a “Report a Spam Message” function. T-Mobile users can also report at t-mobile.com/customers/fraud.

AT&T: Report spam texts through the AT&T Mobile Security app or at att.com/internet/cybersecurity/.

Verizon: Report spam through the Verizon Call Filter app or at verizon.com/support/spam-text-faqs/.

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Method 8 — Report to the Company Being Impersonated

When a scam text impersonates a specific company, reporting to that company directly serves two purposes: it helps the company take action against fraudulent use of their brand, and it can contribute to their internal fraud investigations.

Key reporting addresses:

– Amazon: stop-spoofing@amazon.com

– PayPal / Venmo: phishing@paypal.com

– Apple: reportphishing@apple.com

– USPS: spam@uspis.gov

– FedEx: abuse@fedex.com

– UPS: fraud@ups.com

– Coinbase: Use the in-app support reporting function at coinbase.com/help

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What Information Makes Your Report Most Useful

The more specific information you can provide, the more useful your report is:

The sending phone number (exactly as it appeared, including the full number or short code).

The full text of the message (copy and paste verbatim).

The URL or link in the message (copy the link address without clicking it).

The date and time you received the text.

Whether you clicked the link, called any number, or provided any information.

Any follow-up contact (calls, additional texts) that occurred after the initial message.

A screenshot is valuable but not always necessary — the text and number are the most actionable data points.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does reporting scam texts actually do anything?

A: Yes — forwarding to 7726 directly contributes to carrier spam filtering that protects other users. FTC and IC3 reports contribute to law enforcement actions. The 2024 FBI advisory about toll scam texts was driven by IC3 complaint data. Individual reports matter.

Q: Can I report a scam text anonymously?

A: Forwarding to 7726 is anonymous. FTC reports can be made without providing personally identifying information, though providing contact details allows the FTC to follow up if needed. IC3 reports require contact information for meaningful investigation.

Q: What if I already deleted the scam text?

A: Report what you remember — the number it came from, the approximate content, the link (if you recall it). Even incomplete reports contribute to pattern databases. For future scam texts, take a screenshot before deleting.

→ Back to Pillar: https://www.scammed.org/text-scams/