How to Report Spam Texts in the UK and Stop Smishing Scams for Good

A text arrives saying your parcel could not be delivered, your bank account will close, or you owe a fine. The link looks plausible, the tone is urgent, and for a second you almost tap it. That is smishing, a scam text designed to steal money or details, and it is now one of the most common frauds in the UK. Reporting it takes seconds, and each report helps networks block the same scam for other people.

This guide shows what to do when a suspicious text arrives, how to report it free to 7726, how to block the sender, and what to do if you already tapped a link or shared details.

Step 1: Stop, do not tap the link and do not reply

The first rule is simple: do not tap any link in a suspicious text, and do not reply, even to say "stop". Replying tells scammers your number is active, which can lead to more messages. Do not call any number in the text either.

Urgency is the main weapon. Messages about missed deliveries, unpaid tolls, bank checks and tax refunds aim to make you act before you think. A genuine bank, delivery company or government department will not pressure you to act through a surprise text link. If you are expecting a parcel, open the delivery company's app directly, rather than following a text link.

Take a screenshot first. It preserves the sender details even after you block the number, and helps if you report the scam later.

Step 2: Forward the text free to 7726

In the UK, you can report a suspicious text by forwarding it free of charge to 7726. That number spells SPAM on a phone keypad, which makes it easy to remember. Your mobile network uses these reports to investigate the sender and block similar messages.

On most phones, open the suspicious message, choose forward, and enter 7726 as the recipient. Send the full message, including any link, so the network can examine it. You may get an automated reply asking for the sender's number. Reply with it if asked. The service is free, and works across the major UK networks.

Forwarding to 7726 is for spam and scam texts. It does not replace reporting a crime if you have lost money, covered near the end of this guide.

Step 3: Block the sender on iPhone and Android

After reporting, block the sender so the same number cannot message you again. Scammers change numbers often, so blocking alone will not stop every scam, but it cuts repeat messages from that source.

On iPhone, open the message, tap the sender name or number at the top, then tap Info, scroll down and choose Block this Caller. You can also report it as junk from the same screen on most recent versions.

On Android, steps vary slightly by phone maker, but the pattern is similar. Open the message, tap the three dots or sender details, and choose Block, then confirm. In Google Messages, you can also choose Report spam, which blocks the number and sends a report.

Step 4: Check the warning signs so you spot the next one

Most smishing texts share a few tells. Look for unexpected messages about deliveries you did not order, refunds you did not request, or accounts you do not hold. Check for odd web addresses: a link claiming to be a bank but pointing to a strange domain, a misspelled brand, or a shortened link hiding the real destination.

Watch for pressure language such as "act now" or "final warning". Real organisations rarely threaten immediate closure by text. Banks, HMRC and delivery companies will not ask you to confirm a full password, PIN or bank login by text link.

Delivery scams are especially common. If a message claims a parcel is held, check your order history with the retailer, or tracking from the original order email. If there is no matching order, treat it as a scam.

Step 5: If you tapped a link or shared details, act fast

If you tapped a link but entered nothing, close the page and do not download anything it offered. Run a security scan if your phone offers one, and watch your accounts for unusual activity over the next few days.

If you entered a password, change it straight away, starting with your email account, since email is often used to reset other passwords. Use a new, unique password, and turn on two-factor authentication where offered. If you entered bank or card details, contact your bank immediately using the number on your card or in its official app, not any number from the suspicious text.

If you sent money, contact your bank at once and explain it was a scam payment. Banks can sometimes recall a payment if caught quickly. Then report the fraud to Action Fraud, online or by phone, with the message screenshot, sender number, link and payment details.

Step 6: Reduce future spam with a few quick settings

You cannot stop all scam texts, but you can reduce them. Turn on spam filtering in your app. On iPhone, go to Settings, then Messages, and turn on Filter Unknown Senders, which moves messages from unknown numbers into a separate list. On Android, keep spam protection on in Google Messages.

Be careful where you share your mobile number online. Forms, competitions and public posts can feed numbers into spam lists. Use email for sign-ups where a phone number is not needed.

Keep reporting. Each forward to 7726 helps networks spot patterns, such as a wave of fake delivery texts using the same link. It takes seconds, costs nothing, and protects people who might miss it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What number do I forward a spam text to in the UK?

Forward the suspicious text free to 7726, which spells SPAM on a phone keypad. Your network may reply asking for the sender's number, so reply with it if asked.

Should I reply STOP to a scam text?

No. Replying, even with STOP, confirms your number is active and can lead to more scam messages. Instead, forward the message to 7726, block the sender, and delete it. Only use STOP for genuine marketing from companies you recognise.

What if I already lost money to a text scam?

Contact your bank immediately using the number on your card or in its official app, and ask about recalling the payment or freezing your card. Then report the fraud to Action Fraud with a screenshot, the sender number and payment details.