How did my account get targeted for iMessage SPAM?

[timocrates]

I am seeing loads of spam directed at my iMessage account. I have AT&T as a carrier, with the 239 prefix, so I’ve seen a string of those numbers in a CC list which includes me (and 19 others). The last batch was apparently sent from an email account.

So ...

(1) Someone has hacked or been provided a lot of numbers with the 239 prefix.
(2) I have the settings in iMessage set to screen numbers not in my contacts, yet the spams are dumped right into my regular iMessage inbox.

How is this happening?

 

[Just_Me_D]

Re: iMessage Security

I doubt it’s directed at your iMessage account. Robocall/Robotext operators enter in the area code and prefix and then let the system do its thing. If it find enough hits, it keeps working them until those hits dry up.

 

[Annie_M]

Re: iMessage Security

I occasionally get spam texts and calls, from a prefix the same as mine, although not as much lately (knocking on wood). When they come in, I block the number. I also report them to my carrier (also AT&T) by forwarding the message to AT&T.

 

[Spencerdl]

Re: iMessage Security

I get political messages from time to time and I just delete them. Let's face it, our numbers are not as "private" as they one were.

 

[FFR]

Re: iMessage Security

I am seeing loads of spam directed at my iMessage account. I have AT&T as a carrier, with the 239 prefix, so I’ve seen a string of those numbers in a CC list which includes me (and 19 others). The last batch was apparently sent from an email account.

So ...

(1) Someone has hacked or been provided a lot of numbers with the 239 prefix.
(2) I have the settings in iMessage set to screen numbers not in my contacts, yet the spams are dumped right into my regular iMessage inbox.

How is this happening?

You need to delete the spam messages, just click “report junk” link at the bottom of the message and that should take care of it.

If you open a message it gets removed from the “unknown” column and gets dumped in your “contacts” unless you click the “junk” link at the bottom of the message.

Good luck.

 

[wenrob]

Re: iMessage Security

You need to delete the spam messages, just click “report junk” link at the bottom of the message and that should take care of it.

If you open a message it gets removed from the “unknown” column and gets dumped in your “contacts” unless you click the “junk” link at the bottom of the message.

Good luck.

Where you see/find this? I never see it.

 

[FFR]

iMessage Security

Here you go

 

[Annie_M]

Re: iMessage Security

I’ve never seen that option either! I will definitely be on the lookout for it!

 

[Lee_Bo]

Re: iMessage Security

Here you go

What device / iOS are you using? That looks really dated.

 

[EdwinG]

Re: iMessage Security

If you are receiving undesirable SMS/MMS messages (not iMessage, which will have their own reporting function), you might also want to report them to your mobile carrier, AT&T.

For the other people that might run into this thread, here are support articles on SMS/MMS spam reporting with some of the major mobile carriers in Canada and USA. I can't find a reference for Verizon. The best course of action is searching "Report SMS" or "Report Text" on your mobile carrier's support site.

Canada

• Bell: https://support.bell.ca/Billing-and-Accounts/Security_and_privacy/What_to_do_if_I_get_mobile_spam
• Rogers: https://www.rogers.com/customer/support/article/spam-control
• TELUS: https://www.telus.com/en/qc/support/article/report-spam-texts-smartphone

USA

• AT&T: https://forums.imore.com/e?link=htt...pport/report-call-or-text.html&token=Wl24iTn3

• T-Mobile: https://www.t-mobile.com/support/plans-features/help-with-scams-spam-and-fraud
• Sprint: https://www.sprint.com/en/support/solutions/connectivity/report-unwanted-message-as-spam.html

 

[FFR]

Re: iMessage Security

What device / iOS are you using? That looks really dated.

Using an 11 pro Max.
Don’t have any spam messages to share, so I took a screen grab from a random how-to wiki.

 

[anon(50597)]

Re: iMessage Security

Reporting them to the carriers hasn’t done anything to slow this down for a decade.

 

[timocrates]

Re: iMessage Security

Reporting them to the carriers hasn’t done anything to slow this down for a decade.

Original question was all about how it happens that anyone can send me texts if I have the setting to separate all texts from anyone not in my contacts into that separate bin for the unknown. And a problem is, Apple allows you to originate iMessage from an email account, assuming it’s entered into the Apple ID. Therefore when I report spam to AT&T, the quick return message from them asked for the number originating the spam, and there ain’t none. I understand how handy it is to be able to chain iMessage to the iPad, but it also is convenient for spammers, apparently.

Appreciate the advice, though. I’m learning.

 

[timocrates]

Re: iMessage Security

You need to delete the spam messages, just click “report junk” link at the bottom of the message and that should take care of it.

If you open a message it gets removed from the “unknown” column and gets dumped in your “contacts” unless you click the “junk” link at the bottom of the message.

Good luck.

This one never was in the Unknown Senders box; it appeared in Contacts and SMS. I’m guessing that only iMessages are sorted into one of the two folders and so if somebody sends from just any text messaging app it goes into the main box as if it were from someone in my contacts?

Weird, if so.

And I’ve never seen that “Report junk” option.

 

[wenrob]

Re: iMessage Security

Here you go

I think that’s only if it goes into “unknown” I’ve only ever had a handful ever go there. It’s not a feature that works very well.