Unable to block spam texts from emails, even with the “Block all text messages sent from the web” and “Block all text messages sent from email” on.

[Bluestar12]

I have been receiving spam texts from random (different each time) @gmail accounts (example: https://imgur.com/a/zdbIhGQ) over five times EACH DAY. Nothing I do can stop them, including the “Block all text messages sent from the web” and “Block all text messages sent from email” feature in Account > My Plan > Blocks. I have also blocked gmail.com as well as vtext.com as individual domain blocks, but to no avail. I have even changed my individual vtext email extension from my phone number to some random string as suggested by another community post, but I can still email myself with my original phone number and the @VTEXT.com at the end. Is there nothing I can do? I have been going around support forums all day and even called the Verizon support, but all anyone says is to use the included blocking feature on the website to block all text messages from emails. This DOES NOT work for me and I am at my wit’s end. I literally get spammed with 5+ texts each day, each from different emails and with a different message. Is there anyone who can help me at all?

[vzw_customer_support]

We're happy to help you. Let's go over your options. Please send us a Private Note for assistance.

[Bluestar12]

I sent you a private message a few days ago?

[vzw_customer_support]

Hello, Bluestar12. We definitely want to help with ensuring that we put an end to these text messages you have been receiving. We do recommend forwarding these text messages to our Spam Text Message Research team so that we can help stop these messages from reaching you. You can forward these text messages to 7726 so that they reach our Spam Text Message Research team. How does this plan sound? BrettA_VZW

[Bluestar12]

I have been doing that, but this doesn’t help me at all. Is there any way to address this root issue to stop these gmail accounts from sending me spam texts? This is getting unbearable and nothing that anyone else suggested on different posts have helped one whit. 

[AV12]

Have you solved this issue ?  I am having the same issue 

[Bluestar12]

Nope, I’ve been getting about one a minute for weeks now, Verizon told me it is an utterly isolated issue, when I know as a fact it isn’t. 
The most detailed explanation I’ve found is:https://www.reddit.com/r/verizon/comments/nobbkh/constant_spam_in_text_messages/h011x94/?utm_source=...

[vzw_customer_support]

We hate spam. We'd like to go over your options. Let's get to the bottom of this. Please send us a Private Note for assistance.

[rsflanagan]

Verizon Support: Please share the solution(s) here, so others in this community can benefit.  Even a list of troubleshooting options, then a specific phrase to use when calling support would be helpful.  Like "I've been inundated with spam texts from numerous gmail accounts at the rate of X per day for X days.  I have tries A, B, and C which did not work to resolve the issue."

Here goes:  
I've been inundated with spam texts --- all with an internet link that appears to be sex / porn related -- - since Wednesday 5/26/21.  I have marked each text as spam via the drop down menu on my phone (Google Pixel 4XL).  I have adjusted my account settings to "block all text messages sent from email."  At times the text messages have arrived 5-6 in a ten minute period.  This is quite distracting in my personal and professional life, especially as my work as a lawyer requires that I check each message for client communication.  Please advise on next steps.  Thank you.

[vzw_customer_support]

Hello! We are concerned to hear you are having an issue blocking out these messages. How frequently do you receive them? Is it always from a different email? DavidR_VZW

[Bluestar12 · Accepted solution]

I finally found a fix for iOS, but it’s a blanket fix that blocks any sender that has “_” in its name (I put Gmail, vtext, yada yada). While it might block the ‘once in a blue moon’ actual things I might want, it has been a life saver. I downloaded SpamHound, which is actually free on the AppStore (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/spamhound-sms-spam-filter/id1263185195) and it’s amazing. It has already successfully blocked two texts today (https://imgur.com/a/S0BRTRB) and hasn’t (yet) blocked anything important.

[SPA7]

Hello.  I have been researching this problem with my  Moto Razr4 phone. 

It is pretty clear to me that Verizon messaging app (which was default on my phone), "Message +", is not capable of allowing the consumer to block text messages easily.  And if those messages originate from an email addy, all the more challenging.

First Question:  why does Verizon not update this app so that users can easily block such text messages?  Apparently there are other messaging apps that give this capability.  For example, Motorola's messaging app has such a feature.

Second Question (and related sub-questions):  if I switch to another messaging app in order to gain the capability to block these unwanted text messages, will I lose all of the old text exchanges in the "Message +" app? 

• If not, then how would I access them in the future if I wanted to do so? 
• Can I use another messaging app, and leave "Message +" installed to keep a record of the past messages?

Thank you in advance for your assistance in solving this texting spam issue.

[SPA7]

The uptick has increased in the past couple of weeks.  Usually on Sundays, oddly enough.  Yes, from different sources.  I have deleted all of them except the last one.  It's not possible to block them in the Message+ app.  I've read everything I can find about this issue and it's a common complaint of Message+ users; that's pretty clear.

Motorola's Message app apparently has the ability to block messages.  I'm considering just switching to that app instead, and I see that other people have recommended using the Google messaging app.  I asked several questions in my original post here; can you get back to me about that?  Chiefly, if I stop using Message+ and move to another app, will I lose the messages in the Verizon app?  If so, will it be permanent loss or just a loss while not using that app?

I'll add, does Verizon have an update on Message+ to address this issue?  It seems it's been a complaint by users for a couple of years now.

Thanks for your help and info.

[vzw_customer_support]

SPA7, That is a great question, and I would be equally concerned if I was geting these spam messages.  One option you have that will help limit these will be to forward those messages to our offline team to evaluate and you will forward the messages to 7726.  The good news is if you change and want to try the Motorola Messaging app that you have on your device you will not use messages.  They will transfer over to that app.  Can you please attempt that and let us know the results thank you.

[vzw_customer_support]

We hate spam. We'd like to go over your options when it comes to it. Let's get to the bottom of this. Please send us a Private Note for assistance.

[kenwood805805]

i have spent endless hours researching this, and im ready to switch carriers after 8 years  i cant take it.  vzw support cant seem to find anything. HELP

[vzw_customer_support]

We hate spam too. Let's get to the bottom of this. Please send us a Private Note for assistance,

[doxie757]

Why does Verizon Cust Srv always say " Please send us a Private Note for assistance" - There is no way to do this in the forum. We have ALL talked via CHAT and no one can fix this issue.

Second, Third or Fourth Level Support needs to read all these complaints on the issue and sending thousands of SPAM text from email to 7726 is not working. Heck your reply from 7726 gives incorrect information on how to handle.

SIMPLY PUT - FIX IT!

TURN OFF SMS messages at Verizon gateway! OR allow us to turn it off an on.

"If you do not need to receive SMS messages from email accounts (some automated alerting systems may use this method), then contact your carrier and ask them to disable that at their gateway!"

DISABLE SMS Messages on the GATEWAY PLEASE!

[Ann154]

---

@doxie757 wrote:

Why does Verizon Cust Srv always say " Please send us a Private Note for assistance" - There is no way to do this in the forum. We have ALL talked via CHAT and no one can fix this issue.

Second, Third or Fourth Level Support needs to read all these complaints on the issue and sending thousands of SPAM text from email to 7726 is not working. Heck your reply from 7726 gives incorrect information on how to handle.

SIMPLY PUT - FIX IT!

TURN OFF SMS messages at Verizon gateway! OR allow us to turn it off an on.

"If you do not need to receive SMS messages from email accounts (some automated alerting systems may use this method), then contact your carrier and ask them to disable that at their gateway!"

DISABLE SMS Messages on the GATEWAY PLEASE!

---

You can block all text messages from email addresses through your MyVerizon account online. I have mine setup that way. 

[SPA7]

What steps does one take to block all text messages from email addresses when in MyVerizon online?  Step by step...what menu items does one choose to find where to do this?

Thank you.

[vzw_customer_support]

SPA7, we can definitely help with getting you the help you need for your blocking needs. So we can help, please send us a Private Note. *Jose