In a letter signed by all 51 attorneys general to the FCC, supporting them in their hopes to require cellular providers to block illegal text messages from invalid or unused numbers, as well as blocking any phone numbers found on a "do not originate" list, numbers which have previously been proved to have been used for fraudulent activity.Millions of Dollars Were Lost in Text Scams A report by the Federal Trade Commission, it is estimated that US cellphone users lost a collective $131 million as a result of fraudulent text messages in 2021, namely from texts which included phishing links, or downloads for malware and other harmful software.Before hitting the link sent to you via text, it's always wise to ask yourself if you requested to be contacted by text, and then take a closer look at the number, which should make it pretty clear if they are claiming to be who they said.And likewise, if a new acquaintance gives you their number and you are expecting to hear from them, make sure you enter them as a contact into your phone.To block a spam number: - Open the spam text message - Tap on the profile Icon with the number underneath it - Tap info - Tap block this caller - Tap block contact Android Android similarly offers two services in helping you evade spam text messages, Spam Protection, as well as simply blocking certain numbers To enable spam protection: - Open the Messages app - Tap the tree dots icon in the upper right-hand corner - Tap Settings - Tap Spam Protection - Tap Enable Spam Protection To block a phone number: - Open the Spam Text Message - Tap the three dots icon in the upper right-hand corner - Tap Add To Blocklist Spam blocking apps There are also several highly recommended apps designed to block malicious texts, among our most recommended: Nomorobo: - Winner of the FTC Robocall challenge - Protects you from spam texts and callers - $2 a month for each mobile phone - 14-day free trial - Available for Android and iPhone - Free for Android and iPhone - Transcribes voicemails, saving you the trouble of listening to them - Free reverse phone number database - Caller ID, which even weeds out suspicious numbers - Get YouMail - Focused on blocking spam texts from unknown numbers - Allows you to create keyword-specific blocks - Also blocks out email addresses and phone number ranges - Creates separate folders of known senders and unknown senders and junk - Get TextKiller Invest in a trusted antivirus program Another way to protect your phone from coming in contact"