Before you even think about typing a phone number into a shady website, read this carefully.
Signing someone up for spam text messages (putting their phone number on bulk marketing lists without consent) is not a harmless prank. In most countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the entire European Union, it is illegal under anti-spam and telecommunications laws. Doing it intentionally can expose you to heavy fines, lawsuits, and even criminal charges. This article is written for one purpose only: to show you exactly how people do it, why it’s a terrible idea, and most importantly, how to protect yourself and others from becoming victims of this growing nuisance.
Why “Spam Sign-Up” Pranks Have Exploded Since 2023
The rise is directly tied to three factors:
- Weak verification on many online forms – many companies still only require a phone number, no confirmation text.
- Bot services and “phone bomber” sites that automate the process for $5–$20.
- Social media challenges (especially on TikTok and X) that treat flooding someone’s phone as “funny revenge.”
In 2024 alone, the FTC received over 1.2 million complaints about unwanted text messages, and industry reports estimate that 15–20% of those originated from malicious or prank sign-ups.
How Malicious Actors Actually Sign People Up for Spam Texts (So You Know What to Avoid)
These are the most common methods used in 2025. Knowing them helps you recognize and block them.
| Method | How It Works | Cost to Attacker | Volume of Texts Generated | Legality (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public “Text Bomber” Websites | Enter target number → site fills hundreds of lead-gen forms automatically | $3–$25 per attack | 50–500 texts in first 24 h | Illegal (TCPA violation) |
| Political & Charity Donation Forms | Many campaigns send confirmation + ongoing fundraising texts | Free | 10–100 texts per month | Illegal without consent |
| Free Trial & Coupon Sites | “Enter phone for instant coupon” → sold to 50+ marketing partners | Free | 20–200 texts per week | Illegal (often violates CAN-SPAM/TCPA) |
| Fake Raffle & Giveaway Pages | “Win a free iPhone – just confirm your number” | Free | 30–300 texts | Almost always illegal |
| Retail & Restaurant Loyalty Programs | Signing the victim up for SMS alerts from 20–30 different chains | Free | 5–50 promotional texts per week | Illegal without consent |
| Bot Services on Telegram/Discord | Paid services that use real captchas and rotating IPs | $10–$100 | 500–5,000+ texts | Explicitly illegal |
The Real-World Consequences of Signing Someone Up
- Fines under the TCPA (U.S.): $500–$1,500 per unwanted text if the victim can prove who did it.
- Class-action lawsuits: Several “text bomber” victims have successfully sued for tens of thousands of dollars.
- Carrier blocking: U.S. carriers now automatically block numbers that receive sudden spikes of marketing texts (10DLC regulations updated 2024).
- Criminal charges: In extreme cases (especially if targeting emergency workers or with threats), it can be prosecuted as harassment or stalking.
One documented 2024 case: A teenager in Texas used a bomber site against a classmate. The victim’s parents traced the PayPal payment, sued, and were awarded $42,000.
Legal and Ethical Ways to Deal With Someone Who Wronged You
Instead of breaking the law, use these proven, consequence-free approaches:
- Block and report the person on your phone and social platforms.
- File a police report if it rises to harassment.
- Use free reverse-phone lookup tools to identify and confront them calmly.
- Turn the tables legally: many states allow you to sue for harassment in small-claims court with zero lawyer fees.
How to Protect Yourself From Spam Text Message Sign-Ups (2025 Edition)
Immediate Actions if You’re Already Getting Bombarded
- Register your number on the National Do Not Call Registry (even though it’s less effective for texts now).
- Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM) – U.S. carriers use this to block sources.
- Turn on your carrier’s free spam filter (Verizon Call Filter, T-Mobile Scam Shield, AT&T ActiveArmor).
- Enable “Silence Unknown Callers” and “Filter Unknown Senders” in iPhone/Android settings.
Long-Term Prevention Checklist
| Action | Effectiveness | Time Required |
|---|---|---|
| Never enter your real number on sketchy sites | ★★★★★ | Instant |
| Use a secondary “burner” number for sign-ups (Google Voice, TextNow, MySudo) | ★★★★★ | 5 minutes |
| Enable carrier-level spam blocking | ★★★★ | 2 minutes |
| Turn on Google’s “Verified SMS” & Apple’s “Business Chat” filtering | ★★★★ | Instant |
| Report every political text without an opt-out link to the FTC | ★★★ | 30 seconds each |
FAQ – Spam Text Messages and Malicious Sign-Ups
1. Is it illegal to sign someone up for spam texts as a prank?
Yes. In the United States it violates the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). Fines start at $500 per message if you’re caught.
2. Can people really find out who signed them up?
Often, yes. Many bomber services keep logs, payment records (PayPal, Crypto), and IP addresses. Victims have successfully sued using this data.
3. Will those “free prank text” websites actually get me in trouble?
Absolutely. Most keep zero logs for themselves but payment processors and law enforcement can still trace you.
4. I’m getting hundreds of spam texts overnight – what should I do first?
Forward a few to 7726, contact your carrier to enable maximum blocking, and consider temporarily changing your number if it doesn’t stop in 48 hours.
5. Are political and charity texts exempt from spam rules?
They are partially exempt from the Do Not Call list, but they still must provide an opt-out and cannot be sent without prior consent. Malicious sign-ups are still illegal.
6. Can I sue the companies that are texting me?
Yes many people win $500–$1,500 per call/text in small claims court, especially if the company has no proof of consent.
7. Is there any safe, legal way to anonymously annoy someone with texts?
No. Anything that floods someone’s phone without consent is either harassment or a TCPA violation.
Final Word
There is never a good reason to sign someone up for spam text messages. The temporary laugh is not worth the very real risk of fines, lawsuits, or criminal charges. If you’re tempted because someone hurt you, channel that energy into something smarter and legal block them, expose them publicly if appropriate, or simply walk away knowing you’re the bigger person.
If you’re currently drowning in unwanted texts because someone did this to you, start with the protection steps above. Most victims see a 90%+ reduction within 72 hours once carrier filters kick in.
Stay safe, stay legal, and keep your phone quiet.
