How to Report a Scam Text (Forward to 7726)

Reporting a scam text takes less than a minute, and it helps. Messages you forward to your carrier help it block similar texts for everyone, and reports to the Federal Trade Commission help investigators find the people behind them. Here is exactly how to do it on any phone.

EXAMPLE — SCAM

Today 10:26 AM●●● ▮

# (213) 555-0174 Text message

Bank Alert: A purchase of $1,249.00 was attempted on your account. If this was NOT you, reply NO or call our fraud department now at (213) 555-0108.

The 3 places to report a scam text

Where	How	What it does
Your wireless carrier	Forward or copy the text to 7726 (SPAM)	Helps your carrier spot and block similar messages
Your messaging app	Tap Report Spam (iPhone) or Block & report spam (Android)	Flags the sender to Apple or Google (and, for some texts, your carrier)
The FTC	File at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and paste the message text	Goes into a database shared with more than 2,000 law enforcement partners

Do all three if you can. Then delete the message and block the number.

Step 1: Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM)

7726 spells “SPAM” on a phone keypad. The FTC recommends copying the message and forwarding it to 7726; it says this helps your wireless provider spot and block similar messages in the future. The FCC notes that most mobile carriers support 7726, so check with your provider if it does not seem to work.

The Federal Communications Commission’s guides for the three largest carriers — AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon — all list forwarding spam texts to 7726, and T-Mobile’s and Verizon’s guides add: do it without opening any links.

Step 2: Report it in your messaging app

On an iPhone (Messages app)

According to Apple’s iPhone User Guide:

• If you have not opened the message: swipe left on it, tap the trash icon, then tap Delete and Report Spam.
• If you have opened it: a Report Spam link appears at the bottom of messages from unknown senders. Tap it, then tap Delete and Report Spam. (Older versions of iOS call this “Report Junk.”)

Two things to know: you cannot report a message after you have replied to it, and whether you can report regular SMS texts depends on your carrier. If you do not see the option, contact your carrier.

On an Android phone (Google Messages)

According to Google’s Messages Help:

• From the conversation list: touch and hold the conversation, then tap Block, then Report spam, then OK.
• From inside the conversation: tap More options, then Details, then Block & report spam, then OK.

Other Android messaging apps work similarly — look for an option to report junk or spam.

Step 3: Report it to the FTC

Go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov and choose the category that fits the text (for example, an impersonator or a fake prize). If nothing fits, choose “Something Else.” The FTC’s instructions are specific:

• Paste the text of the message into the Comments field. The FTC cannot accept forwarded messages or uploaded screenshots.
• Do not click any links in the message while you copy it.
• If you lost money, include how much, when, and how you paid.

You can report even if you did not lose money. If you cannot use the website, you can call the FTC’s Consumer Response Center at 1-877-382-4357. For Spanish, use ReporteFraude.ftc.gov.

Special cases: where else to report

• Fake USPS or package texts: email the details to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at spam@uspis.gov. Copy the message text without clicking the link, include your name, and attach a screenshot that shows the sender’s number and the date. See USPS will never send you this text.
• You lost money or the text led to online fraud: also report to the FBI at IC3.gov.
• A text from your own phone number: the FTC says that is always a scam — your number has been spoofed. Report it the same way.
• Unwanted texts that keep coming: you can also file a complaint with the FCC at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov. The FCC says it does not resolve individual complaints but uses them to guide policy and enforcement.

After you report: block and filter

Reporting does not stop the sender from texting you again. Block the number, then turn on your phone’s spam filters. Our guide on how to stop spam texts on iPhone and Android walks through the settings the FCC recommends, plus your carrier’s free tools.

If you already replied or tapped a link

Do not panic, and do not enter anything else. If you shared a password, card number, bank details or your Social Security number, follow our first-hour checklist. Then report the text as described above — it may help someone else avoid the same trap. For more examples of what scam texts look like, see scam text messages: common examples and red flags.