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New to T-Mobile? Switching is easy Set up your device Using the app Sprint Migration Center All get started topics Ways to pay your bill All about your bill Line permissions Your T-Mobile ID Your PIN/Passcode All account resources topics T-Mobile network In-flight texting and Wi-Fi Wi-Fi Calling International roaming Mobile Without Borders All network & roaming topics Find the right plan Netflix on Us HotSpot plans Voicemail Use Mobile HotSpot All plans support topics Tutorials Troubleshooting Unlock your device Protect your device SIM card & eSIM All device assistance topics Get T-Mobile for Business Billing and payments Manage your account Orders and shopping Account Hub registration All business support topics

Use this page to identify, report, and prevent spam and scams on your T-Mobile device and account.

On this page:

Text Message (SMS) spam and scams

Text message (SMS) spam is any unwanted texts, often from companies, news sources, banks, restaurants, etc., you may receive. SMS spam should not be confused with Self-service short codes, which include T-Mobile short codes that we use to keep you informed about your account.

  • T-Mobile is committed to fighting mobile spam and encourages our customers to report unsolicited messages to us for investigation. If you receive an unsolicited message, please forward it to the Spam Reporting Service following the steps on this page that correspond to your device.
  • We automatically forward the message to the Security Center for analysis. The Security Center is a global system, run by a vendor on our behalf, that helps protect mobile phone subscribers from spam, fraud, and malware. The Security Center system is linked to a global database that tracks potential spam messages. The information reported to the Security Center may be shared with government agencies that work to combat spam and prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair practices.
 

Report spam messages: Apple iOS

 

Reporting junk or spam doesn’t prevent the sender from sending messages, but you can block the number to stop receiving them. The option to report spam messages on iPhones is available on devices running iOS 16 or later. For older devices running older iOS versions, follow the steps to forward the message to 7726.

To report spam:

  1. Open the conversation with the spam message and scroll to the bottom.
  2. Choose Report Junk > Delete and Report Junk.

 

 

Report spam messages: Android

 

Most Android devices come preinstalled with the Messages by Google app. If your device comes with a different messaging app, you can download the Messages app from the Google Play Store. If you choose not to change your messaging app,  follow the steps to forward the message to 7726.

To report spam:

  1. In the Messages app, select and hold the spam conversation.
  2. Select Block > Report Spam > OK.
 

Report spam messages by forwarding to 7726 (All devices)

 

By reporting SMS spam, you are helping us identify spam operations. There is no charge to report T-Mobile spam. Messages forwarded to 7726 do not count toward your plan. 

  1. Forward the message to 7726 (which spells “SPAM” on most phone keypads). Please don’t edit the message or add any comments.
  2. If you don’t have a forward option:
    • Long press on the message text and select Copy.
    • Create a new message to 7726.
    • Paste the copied text and send it.
  3. We will reply to your message with an SMS confirming we have received it.
  4. We will use this information to help identify the spam operations and take appropriate action.

 

Scam ID & Scam Block

Scam ID and Scam Block are industry-leading free scam protection tools deployed on the T-Mobile network to keep our customers safe from scammers.

  • Scam ID automatically displays "Scam Likely" and the number that is calling on suspected scam calls
  • As an additional network level identification feature, customers will also see some calls labeled as Telemarketing, Political, Potential Spam, etc. These are automatically identified at T-Mobile's network level and displayed to our subscribers to help them in making informed decisions on which calls they would like to interact with.
  • Scam ID also catches spoofed calls because T-Mobile reviews beyond the incoming number and tracks actual call behavior. 
  • Scam Block automatically blocks all "Scam Likely" calls before they ever reach your phone, so you never even get them.
  • Network-level protection has been added to stop the increasingly common “Neighborhood Spoofing” and prevent hijacked numbers (where scammers temporarily match the area code and 3-digit prefix of the person they are targeting) from reaching your phone.
  • The free website https://www.freecallerregistry.com/fcr/ gives businesses the ability to register their business number(s) and name, so their calls to customers are recognized as legitimate.

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Anonymous callers

 

The FCC mandates that mobile carriers allow callers the ability to block their caller ID information and place anonymous calls. T-Mobile is obligated to honor the privacy of the caller in these circumstances. T-Mobile can't block anonymous calls or override the privacy choice of the caller, but you may choose not to accept them. To make an anonymous call yourself, dial *67 before dialing the number you are calling.

For more information about privacy and security, refer to our Privacy Center.

Scam Shield in T-Life

  • Our free T-Life app gives you control over T-Mobile’s anti-scam protections like Scam ID, Scam Block, and Caller ID, which is available to all T-Mobile postpaid customers. 
  • Eligible customers can download T-Life from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
  • A T-Mobile postpaid account is required. Not available for T-Mobile Prepaid. 
  • Premium Scam Shield features available for an additional charge 
    • Block whole categories of calls, like Telemarketers or Political Solicitors 
    • Block calls and texts from specific numbers
    • Blocked number lists are stored on the network and automatically transfer to new devices 
    • Perform a Reverse Number Lookup for unknown callers 
    • Includes voicemail-to-text, providing voicemail transcripts in the Visual Voicemail app or via text. 
  • The T-Life does not support Scam Shield with Prepaid accounts; however, you are eligible for free scam protection features such as Scam Block and Caller ID. 
    • Enable Scam Block on Prepaid: Dial #662# 
    • Enable Caller ID on Prepaid line: Dial #436# 
  • Latest app versions:
    • Android: 5.4.0.3607
    • iOS: 5.4.0 (1043)
 

How to use the app

 
Table with steps on using the free features of Scam Shield in T-Life.
Action Steps
Report scam, spam, spoofed, and safe calls

Report from the app 

  1. Open T-Life and select the Manage tab.
  2. Under Benefits, choose Scam Shield.
  3. In the Recent activity section, select See all.
  4. Choose the desired call and select Report Caller.
  5. Select the appropriate category that best represents the type of call, and then choose Report.
  6. Premium users only: Choose Add this number to blocked list to block future calls from this number.

Report from a web browser 

  1. In a web browser, visit https://callreporting.t-mobile.com/ . 
  2. Fill out the form, then choose Review. Corrections are made within 48 hours of a verified request. 
Report scam, spam, and junk messages To report text message spam, follow the steps in Text message (SMS) spam, scams, and fraud.
Allow a number

Add important numbers to your Allow list to prevent them from being blocked.

  1. Open T-Life and select the Manage tab.
  2. Under Benefits, choose Scam Shield.
  3. Select Allowed numbers, then choose the Menu icon with three dots:
    • To add, enter the 10-digit number or find the number on the call list, then select Add.
    • To delete, select the desired number in the list, then select Delete.

If the number isn't in the Activity log, you can manually add it. Get steps in our Tutorial for Android or Tutorial for iOS.
Delete call activity

Once you delete your activity, it can't be restored.

  1. Open T-Life and select the Manage tab.
  2. Under Benefits, choose Scam Shield.
  3. Next to Recent activity, choose See all.
  4. Select Delete and choose which records to delete. You can also Select all.
  5. Choose Delete > Yes, delete.
View caller details
  1. Open T-Life and select the Manage tab.
  2. Under Benefits, choose Scam Shield. 
  3. Under Recent activity, choose a contact to view caller details. Some callers have more details if they have a WhitePages profile, like a business.  
 

Premium features

 
Table with steps on using the premium features of Scam Shield in T-Life.
Action Steps
Manage your subscription

Upgrade to Scam Shield Premium

You must be the account holder or an authorized user to upgrade to Scam Shield Premium through the app. Upgrading to Scam Shield Premium will result in additional charges on your monthly bill. 

  1. Open T-Life and select the Manage tab.
  2. Under Benefits, choose Scam Shield.
  3. Select Upgrade to Scam Shield Premium > Upgrade to Premium and follow the on-screen steps to complete sign-up.  

Unsubscribe and downgrade to Scam Shield Basic: 

  1. Open T-Life and select the Manage tab.
  2. Under Benefits, choose Scam Shield.
  3. Select Scam Shield Settings.
  4. Choose Subscription > Remove Scam Shield Premium.
  5. Confirm removal by selecting Downgrade > Got it. 
Block a number from calling

Blocked number lists are stored on the network and automatically transfer to new devices.

  1. Open T-Life and select the Manage tab.
  2. Under Benefits, choose Scam Shield > Blocked numbers.
  3. Select the Menu icon with three dots to Add or Delete a contact from the blocked list.
    • To add, enter the 10-digit phone number or find the contact on the call list and choose Add.
    • To delete, select the desired number and choose Delete

If the number isn't in the Activity log, you can manually add it. Get steps in our Tutorial for Android or Tutorial for iOS.
Send call categories to voicemail
  1. Open T-Life and select the Manage tab.
  2. Under Benefits, choose Scam Shield.
  3. Select Block spam categories.
  4. Choose the toggle next to a category to turn it on or off. 
Reverse number lookup
  1. Open T-Life and select the Manage tab.
  2. Under Benefits, choose Scam Shield.
  3. Select Reverse Number Lookup.
  4. Enter the 10 digit number and select Lookup.

Some information may not be available for all numbers.
Send to Voicemail list

Premium Subscribers can forward calls directly to voicemail without ringing. This does not block the number and callers can leave a voicemail.

  1. Open T-Life and select the Manage tab.
  2. Under Benefits, choose Scam Shield.
  3. Select Send directly to voicemail, then choose the Menu icon with three dots:
    • To add, enter the 10-digit number or find the number on the call list, then select Add.
    • To delete, select the desired number in the list, then select Delete.

Extra steps to prevent scams & spam

  • Don’t act on any message if you're suspicious of the content, even if it seems like it's from someone you know. 
  • Avoid using your T-Mobile number for non-T-Mobile contests, promotions, or newsletters.
    • Never download applications from unauthorized app stores.
    • Do not transfer applications using a memory card to your phone
  • Buying a used phone?
    • Purchase from a reputable retailer or manufacturer. 
    • Make sure the phone has been cleared. If you find any information stored in the phone, it may not be safe.
    • Check the device's IMEI on the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association's free stolen phone checker tool to ensure it has not been reported stolen.
  • Never open a link in a text message unless you're certain that the message is from a trusted source. 
  • If you have opened a suspicious link, change your T-Mobile ID password and other personal accounts, like banks and social media. 
  • Messages sent from 3700 to 4299 and 9701 to 9901 are coming from a third party, usually an email provider. 
    • These messages are how email is delivered to your phone number via your tmomail as a text message. 
    • Messages can also be delivered as an MMS and will show the sending email address. 
  • You can opt out of subscription spam by visiting the promotion or newsletter's website. 
    • Reply to text messages with STOP, END, CANCEL, UNSUBSCRIBE, or QUIT. 
    • Don’t reply to unwanted messages if you’re unsure who sent it or it doesn’t provide an opt-out option. 
  • If these tips don't work for you, you can change your phone number.

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