Finally, carriers are making it easier to block unwanted text messages…
Here are the quickest answers from Verizon, T-Mobile, ATT, and Sprint to help you block unwanted text messages and even callers.
If you are a Verizon customer:
Go to: www.verizonsafeguards.com
Click on the Block Unwanted Text Messages option and follow the instructions.
Rating B+ The service is free. You can apply the block from a Verizon store, your computer or your device. The process is simple: If you are text savvy, then you’ll be able to apply this fix very easily. Verizon’s blocking service allows you to block individual numbers, emails, and website that have been spamming you. Verizon offers additional strategies to help you avoid text spam. One small drawback: You can only block 5 numbers at a time.
If you are a T-Mobile customer:
Go to: www.tmobile.com Log into your account settings.
T-Mobile’s service is called Family Allowance. It costs $4.99 per month and blocks up to 10 numbers per account. If you have a family plan, every family member can block 10 numbers. It also has some controlling features to limit usage of text, talk, and web. Your teens may not like it; but you can set time limits for your teens – like not allowing them to receive calls after a certain time at night.
Rating C- The C- rating is for the time and work it took to find out what the Family Allowance Plan does. T-Mobile needs to get their customer service reps up to speed and the information on their site needs to be simplified. It appears that their service will provide you with ample blocking abilities.
If you are an ATT customer:
Go to: www.att.net/smartcontrols-SmartLimitsForWireless
Rating A ATT is leading the pack with their service call Smart Controls. Robust controls for all sorts of situation. You can block unwanted callers and texts. You can set limits your teens – like not allowing them to receive calls after a certain time at night. The instructions are clear on the webpage with an overview, features, costs, and notes flowing smoothly for any customer to understand. You can have up to 30 numbers blocked. You can block both wireless lines and landlines. The one small drawback is that ATT’s Smart Controls service is $4.99 per month. I believe this service should be included in your plan, especially if you have a family plan. But again, this is a huge step in the right direction. Good job, ATT.
If you are a Sprint customer:
Go to: www.sprint.com Log into your account settings
Rating A- Sprint also is leading the pack. Their blocking service is free with up to 50 numbers blocked for spam text and emails. There is an unlimited numbers you can block for calling. The customer rep said that a Sprint customer can log into their account and set up the blocks or just call into customer service and they will help you 888-211-4727
Additional Reading
A special thanks to Adam Dachis for his 2011 article of the same name. Still some good tips here: LifeHacker How Do I Block Unwanted Messages on My Cellphone
A very cool infographic about Texting via OnlineITDegree.com and designed by Riley Cran
Via: Online IT Degree