If you own a cell phone, you’ve probably received a text message from political candidates or organizations asking for your support and money.
And as November approaches, there are more signs of a slowdown.
David asked the CBS13 I-Team:
“Why do I get so many political calls and texts at all hours of the day and night? How did they get my number and is there a way to stop them?”
And how they got your number: Most political groups buy them from state governments or through data brokers.
From there, the Federal Communications Commission regulates how your number can be used, and there are ways around this.
Generally, a campaign will require your prior consent before making a call to a mobile phone or sending an SMS, unless the number is manually entered by a real person.
But legitimate campaigns can also register for mass mailing of robot texts.
Unfortunately, text messages and calls from campaign teams are exempt from the nationwide “Do Not Call” list, so there is no point in signing up for it.
So how can you stop them?
The best thing to do is reply “Stop” to every text message you receive. This should remove you from the list.
Additionally, it’s probably best to block the number as well.
You can also report these unwanted texts to the FCC by forwarding them to 7-7-2-6, which spells the word “spam.”
If the rules are not followed, campaigns face heavy fines.
This may not stop unwanted text messages completely, but it will certainly help slow down their sending.
Also, please remember that you should never trust the links in these texts.
This could be a scam disguised as a political fundraiser.
If you would like to donate to a specific politician, the best way to do so is through their official website.
