Reporting and Identifying
Suspicious Text Messages

In recent years, spammers and scammers have used text messages to target unsuspecting phone users with harmful messages intended to look like they come from legitimate sources, such as financial institutions or package delivery services. Customers should always be wary of unsolicited text messages from seemingly reputable companies, or messages that imply a sense of urgency. Always exercise caution with texts that include a link to a webpage, and never respond to text messages asking for passwords, or other sensitive personal or financial information.

Reporting suspicious text messages to Verizon is easy, just forward the message to us at “SPAM” (7-7-2-6). Not sure how to forward a text message? Both Android and iOS phones have the built-in capability to forward a text message from your phone, like you might forward an email.

Follow these step-by-step instructions to learn how to forward a text message to Verizon on your iOS or Android device using the most common pre-installed text messaging apps. If you are using another 3rd-party app for SMS text messaging, please refer to the app developer for specific instructions.

Option 1: Report as Junk

1. From the iMessage app, open the text message thread containing the message you want to report, taking care not to touch any links in the message. 
    
2. If you see “Report Junk”  below the message, tap it. This text will appear if the sender’s number is not saved in your contacts. Otherwise see Option 2 below.
    
3. Tap “Delete and Report Junk.”

Option 2: Forward a text message to SPAM

1. From the iMessage app, open the text message thread containing the message you want to send, taking care not to touch any links in the message.
    
2. Tap and hold the message you want to forward, again taking care not to touch any links in the message.
    
3. Select “more”
    
4. To forward multiple messages at once, select each message you want to send by tapping the checkmark to the left of each message.
    
5. With the message(s) selected, tap the arrow in the lower left hand corner of the screen
    
6. Enter the number 7726 directly in the “to: “ field.
    
7. Tap the [up arrow] in the message box.

Using the Google Messages app:

1. Open the message thread containing the message you want to forward.
    
2. Tap and hold the message you want to forward until a menu of emojis appears.
    
3. Tap the 3 vertical dots in the upper right hand side of the screen, then select “Forward.”
    
4. You’ll then be prompted to select a contact, or you can type in a phone number to receive the message. Enter the number 7726.
    
5. Tap “Send to 7726.” 

Using the Samsung Messages app:

1. Open the message thread containing the message you want to forward.
    
2. Tap and hold the message you want to forward until a context menu appears
    
3. Samsung Messages: from the menu, tap “Forward.” 
    
4. You’ll then be prompted to select a contact, or you can type in a phone number to receive the message. Enter the number 7726. 
    
5. Tap “+” 

6. Tap “Done” 

You may receive a reply from us requesting additional information. 

After you have forwarded the suspicious text message to us, you may delete it.