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AdamNC

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 3, 2018
751
1,052
Leland NC
We have a stalker and they are bombarding us (Me, my wife and my young son) with porn, hang ups, ads fake texts. Even the local JWH. We can’t prove who it is to the police but we know. Besides changing our numbers which is a huge problem and last resort is there anything you recommend software ect? It’s tick me off to no end. Thanks.
 

JM

macrumors 601
Nov 23, 2014
4,086
6,381
Apple also needs a way to Silence Unknown Texts. (iMessage can be silenced from unknown, but SMS still will come through).

Everyone, give Apple Feedback and ask for this! It really does help with the Silence unknown Callers, but with spam texts there's no way to stop.
 

AdamNC

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 3, 2018
751
1,052
Leland NC
Problem is I have done the above but kinda like the ping of death I am getting 10-30 an hour. Same with my wife and son.... They are random made up numbers. Or Gmail accounts.
 

DieselFiend1989

macrumors member
Dec 8, 2019
97
45
Changing numbers may be your only option. Maybe contact your cellular provider and see if they have any advice.
 

firedept

macrumors 603
Jul 8, 2011
6,278
1,130
Somewhere!
Seriously change your number. I know it's a pain in the ass but the time spent changing it will be worth the peace of mind. Then be careful who you give it to. That way the person harassing you will not be able to continue their campaign.
 

5105973

Cancelled
Sep 11, 2014
12,132
19,733
Have you talked to police at all about it to see if they have any suggestions even if they can’t legally take action on your behalf yet? I would also try talking to your carrier/ISP. I’m sure you’re not the only person to deal with something like this and they may have something they can do. I am so sorry you’re going through all this.
 
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max2

macrumors 603
May 31, 2015
6,421
2,044
If you know who it is you could simply ask them why. Not saying you should.
 

AdamNC

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 3, 2018
751
1,052
Leland NC
It’s my estranged step daughter who is a diagnosed sociopath. Yeah dangerous. She was hacking computers and **** at the age of 13.
 

chakraj

macrumors 65816
Feb 6, 2008
1,285
10
So Cal
All carriers now have an app to prevent spam. Most charge but it sounds like it may be worth it for you.

I pay for it on T-Mobile.
 
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baypharm

macrumors 68000
Nov 15, 2007
1,951
973
It’s my estranged step daughter who is a diagnosed sociopath. Yeah dangerous. She was hacking computers and **** at the age of 13.
Wow....she could make suitcases full of cash. Seriously though, it sounds like a cry for help or to be loved.
 

lordhamster

macrumors 68000
Jan 23, 2008
1,680
1,702
I was getting tons of sms spam from random numbers each time. I got an app called smartfilter. Works great at filtering the spam into a special junk folder in iMessage. And yes this app does work for sms.
 

1rottenapple

macrumors 601
Apr 21, 2004
4,757
2,774
We have a stalker and they are bombarding us (Me, my wife and my young son) with porn, hang ups, ads fake texts. Even the local JWH. We can’t prove who it is to the police but we know. Besides changing our numbers which is a huge problem and last resort is there anything you recommend software ect? It’s tick me off to no end. Thanks.
Does changing your number prevent them from contacting you?
 

1rottenapple

macrumors 601
Apr 21, 2004
4,757
2,774
Seriously change your number. I know it's a pain in the ass but the time spent changing it will be worth the peace of mind. Then be careful who you give it to. That way the person harassing you will not be able to continue their campaign.
Agree here. Get a virtual number to give out to most people and keep your real numbers to a select few. i have a google voice number for spam.
 
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firedept

macrumors 603
Jul 8, 2011
6,278
1,130
Somewhere!
Agree here. Get a virtual number to give out to most people and keep your real numbers to a select few. i have a google voice number for spam.
I can vouch that changing your number works. I won’t explain why my wife & I changed our numbers but it’s similar enough to the OP’s situation to warrant my response. Your suggestion is really great as well.
 
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C DM

macrumors Sandy Bridge
Oct 17, 2011
51,392
19,461
Apple also needs a way to Silence Unknown Texts. (iMessage can be silenced from unknown, but SMS still will come through).

Everyone, give Apple Feedback and ask for this! It really does help with the Silence unknown Callers, but with spam texts there's no way to stop.

Add the number to your contacts, then block it. On iPhone...Settings > Messages > Blocked Contacts.


What about "filter unknown senders" under the Message settings?


That only works for iMessage.

Doesn’t work for me. I still get messages from random numbers and get alerted.
As I understand, as of iOS 14 the messaging filtering for unknown senders works for both iMessages and regular text messages. However, while it filters messages into their own section in the Messages it doesn't seem to do anything in relation to notifications for those messages as the notifications still come in for them.

This is rather odd behavior given that the previous option that was there just for iMessages would actually silence the notifications for those as well. Also, the very similar unknown caller option also silences them.
 
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AdamNC

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 3, 2018
751
1,052
Leland NC
Thanks guys and gals. We changed our numbers. Now for the hours of fun of changing it in our accounts and doctors, ect. But we talked to Verizon about it and the tech is having a full trace and track record done to our old numbers to see if he can get who it was.
And yes she could have been something great. But she threw it all away. She dropped out of high school 4 years ago with 4 weeks till graduation with a 4.0 GPA and full ride scholarships from several universities. Virginia Tech, MIT, Texas A&M. Ect. She disappeared for a while. Now is divorced and has a kid. Won’t go much further in it.
But thanks again folks I appreciate your advice and time.
 

lordhamster

macrumors 68000
Jan 23, 2008
1,680
1,702
If she's dangerous, change your number. Period.

Is the inconvenience of doing so really more important to you than your family's safety??
Given that is a close family member and seems to be a "hacker." I'd make sure you change all your passwords and begin using two factor authentication as well. Don't forget to change your wifi password.

Given she knows the family well, she will be in a prime position to guess simple passwords like kid's names, birthdays, pet names etc. She will also be well positioned to be able to sweet talk your acquaintances into giving up your new numbers.

Also, make sure you don't put your new phone numbers into social media services like Facebook.
 
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