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Seeking Serenity

(3,287 posts)
16. Yes, delete all SMS text messages and email unopened and unread
Wed Jan 28, 2026, 10:20 AM
Yesterday

If you open them, even for the purpose of trying to reply STOP, it lets the sender (using a spoofed but real-looking telephone number) know that their message was read and thus, your number belongs to an actual person. Then they'll keep your number in a database of active numbers to either use again from a different telephone number or to sell to someone else.

My state party used to call or text me using spoofed numbers all the time (after I put the official party numbers on the "Do Not Call" list). After consistently not answering and not reading but just ignoring and deleting did their spam cease.

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