The National Do Not Call Registry does cover cell phone numbers for telemarketing texts, not just voice calls. Registering your number at DoNotCall.gov stops most commercial text spam from legitimate companies within 31 days. However, scammers and political organizations are not required to check the list.
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Compare Plans →Free to compare · No credit check to browse · Affiliate-supportedWhat Is the Do Not Text Registry?
There is no separate “Do Not Text Registry” for cell phones. The National Do Not Call Registry, maintained by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and enforced by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), also covers text messages sent to wireless numbers. Under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), telemarketers and companies are prohibited from sending unsolicited commercial text messages to numbers listed on the Registry. As of 2024, over 253 million phone numbers were registered, according to the FCC. The Registry applies to both voice calls and SMS texts, but only to those from companies you have not given prior written consent to contact you.
The key point: if you register your cell number, most legitimate businesses are required to stop sending you marketing texts within 31 days. However, the Registry does not block texts from scammers, political campaigns, charities, or debt collectors.
How to Register Your Cell Number
You can register your cell phone number for free at DoNotCall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222 from the phone you wish to register. The process takes less than two minutes. You will need to provide your phone number and confirm via email or phone. Registration does not expire, so you do not need to renew. Once registered, telemarketers have 31 days to remove your number from their call and text lists. If you receive a spam text after that period from a legitimate company, you can file a complaint with the FTC. The FTC collected over 1.8 million robotext complaints in 2023 alone.
| Registration Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Online | DoNotCall.gov (fastest, includes confirmation) |
| Phone | 1-888-382-1222 (must call from the number you register) |
| Expiration | Never expires |
| Time to take effect | Up to 31 days |
What Texts Are Still Allowed?
Even after registering your number, certain types of text messages are legally permitted. These include: messages from political campaigns (including fundraising), charitable organizations, surveys, debt collection agencies, and companies with whom you have an existing business relationship (for example, your bank or an online store you bought from). Additionally, any text to which you have given prior express written consent is allowed. Scammers and illegal robotexters often ignore the Registry entirely, so registration alone is not a complete solution.
- Political campaign texts
- Charity solicitation texts
- Debt collection texts
- Informational texts from companies you do business with (e.g., order updates)
- Texts you explicitly opted into
Additional Ways to Reduce Spam Texts
Because the Do Not Call Registry does not stop all unwanted texts, you can take extra steps. First, forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM) to report them to your carrier. Major carriers use these reports to block known spammers. Second, enable spam filtering in your phone’s messaging app (most modern smartphones have built-in spam detection). Third, never reply to suspicious texts—even to say “STOP”—as that confirms your number is active. Fourth, be cautious about sharing your number online or with third-party services. According to the FCC, the number of robotext complaints rose by over 50% between 2020 and 2023, reflecting the growing problem.
Legal Protections and Your Rights
The TCPA gives consumers the right to sue companies that send unsolicited commercial texts to numbers on the Registry. Penalties can reach $500 per violation (or $1,500 for willful violations). In 2023, the FCC proposed new rules to require carriers to block robotexts at the network level. Additionally, the TRACED Act of 2019 expanded the FCC’s authority to fine violators. If you receive a spam text from a legitimate business after 31 days of registering, you can file a complaint at DoNotCall.gov. For scam texts, report them to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.