Phishing: Report Malicious Phone or Text Messages (Android)
When you receive phishing messages through text or phone call, you should report and block the sender. Below you will find the 3 reporting methods and guides you should use to report messages.
Note: If the message is impersonating an employee of HPG, please also inform HPG IT.
How to report phishing text messages from the Messages app
When you get a phishing text message in your inbox, you can report them with a few quick taps. The Google Messages app is the default method for sending messages on many Android phones, so you likely have it installed. Other messages apps likely have a similar feature and steps, but we will not address those apps specifically.
- Open the Messages app on your phone.
- Long-press the phishing text message you want to report.
- Tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
- Select the Block option.
- The Report spam box should be checked by default, so press the OK button to continue.
- That phishing text message has now been blocked and reported as spam to Google and your wireless carrier.
Report phishing text messages to phone carriers (USA)
Most phone carriers in the U.S. allow you to report phishing text messages by forwarding the message to 7726 or SPAM. The Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA) has designated 7726 (spells SPAM) for reporting spam texts, and most U.S. carriers are part of the program. Whether you use Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile, you can forward a text message to report it. The best part is that this message doesn't count toward your mobile plan. If you don't have unlimited messages, you can use this service without paying extra money.
Follow the steps below to forward a phishing text message on your Android smartphone.
- Long-press on the message to select it and open the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
- Choose the Forward option
- Send the message to 7726
Report smishing messages to FTC and FCC
You can also report smishing message attempts to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and Federal Communications Commission (FCC). When you report a message to FTC on its fraud reporting website, the data is shared with law enforcement agencies. Similarly, you can file a report with FCC by visiting its consumer complaint center website.
Image and Text for this article were sourced from: Phishing: How to report suspicious text messages (androidpolice.com) BY RACHIT AGARWAL, PUBLISHED NOV 12, 2022