TLDR
You can report scam texts three ways: forward to 7726 (SPAM) for carrier blocking, file with the FTC for federal tracking, and submit to community databases like ScamVerify™. Each channel serves a different purpose. The fastest path to blocking is 7726; the most impactful for long-term protection is the FTC report.
The Three Reporting Channels
Channel 1: Forward to 7726 (Fastest)
7726 spells SPAM on your keypad, and it works on every major US carrier.
- Open the scam text (do NOT tap any links)
- Forward the entire message to 7726
- Your carrier will send a reply asking for the sender's number
- Reply with the number that sent the scam text
- Done - your carrier investigates and can block the number network-wide
Why this matters: Carrier-level blocks are the fastest way to stop a scam number. When enough people forward the same number, carriers can block it within days.
| Carrier | 7726 Support | Additional Options |
|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | Yes | Also: Scam Shield app |
| AT&T | Yes | Also: ActiveArmor app |
| Verizon | Yes | Also: Call Filter app |
| US Cellular | Yes | Report via My Account |
Channel 2: File with the FTC (Most Impact)
The FTC maintains the largest scam complaint database in the US.
- Go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Select "Unwanted call, text, or email"
- Enter the sender's phone number
- Describe the text: what it claimed, what link it contained, what it asked for
- Include any URLs from the text (copy, do not click)
- Submit
ScamVerify analyzes FTC data and currently tracks 1,512,857 complaints across 608,145 unique phone numbers. Your report becomes part of this dataset, helping identify patterns and scam rings.
Channel 3: Community Reports on ScamVerify
- Go to scamverify.ai/text-checker
- Paste the scam text content
- Submit a report with the sender's number
Community reports provide real-time warnings. When someone else receives a similar text and checks it on ScamVerify, they will see your report.
What Happens After You Report
Your reports do not disappear into a void. Here is the pipeline:
- 7726 reports trigger carrier investigation. Numbers reaching complaint thresholds get blocked at the network level.
- FTC reports are aggregated, analyzed for patterns, and shared with law enforcement through the Consumer Sentinel Network.
- Community reports provide immediate warnings to other consumers checking the same number or text pattern.
Our analysis of FTC data identified 15 coordinated scam rings - groups of sequential phone numbers operated by the same entity. The largest ring uses 135 numbers in the 833-487 prefix block, generating 7,728 combined complaints. This kind of pattern detection is only possible because individual people filed reports.
What to Include in Your Report
For text scam reports, include these details:
- The sender's phone number
- The full text of the message (copy it before deleting)
- Any URLs in the message (copy, do NOT visit)
- The date and time received
- Whether you clicked any links (important for damage assessment)
- Whether you provided any information
FAQ
Will reporting stop me from getting more scam texts?
Reporting stops that specific number from reaching others, but scammers rotate numbers constantly. The 833 area code alone has 892 high-complaint numbers in FTC data. Combine reporting with blocking and carrier-level spam filtering for best results.
Can I report a scam text if I already deleted it?
You can still file an FTC report with whatever details you remember - the sender's number, the general content, and the date. However, keeping a screenshot before deleting provides the most useful evidence.
Is there a way to report scam texts that come from email addresses?
Yes. Some scam texts come from email-to-SMS gateways. Report these the same way: forward to 7726 and file with the FTC. Include the email address in your report as the sender information.
