Can You Get Scammed Just by Replying ‘STOP’ to a Text?

Replying “STOP” to unsubscribe from text messages feels natural and safe. Legitimate companies use this process all the time. Carriers support it. Most people see it as a safe way to prevent unwanted messages.

That’s exactly why scammers now include it in their texts.

So, can you actually get scammed just by replying “STOP”?

In some cases, yes, but not because the word itself is dangerous, but because scammers use it as bait.

What the Data Shows About ‘Reply STOP’ Scam Messages

Recent analysis of smishing scam campaigns that include the phrase “reply STOP to unsubscribe” reveals clear geographic and thematic patterns. Analysis of smishing scam campaigns observed in January 2026 shows that messages containing “reply STOP to unsubscribe” were overwhelmingly concentrated in English-speaking markets.

According to researcher Alexandra Bocereg, the United States accounted for roughly 69% of the observed campaigns, followed by Canada at about 23%, Australia (4%), the United Kingdom (2%), and India (under 1%).

These are regions where people regularly receive real SMS notifications from banks, healthcare providers, delivery services, and government agencies, making the tactic especially effective.

Scam Categories Most Likely to Use STOP

Across the analyzed campaigns, “reply STOP” appeared most often in messages impersonating high-trust sectors:

• Entertainment – subscriptions, exclusive access, VIP offers
• Healthcare – appointment reminders, insurance updates
• Finance – investments, refunds, account activity
• Government – audits, compliance notices, missing data
• Prizes & rewards – winning notifications, loyalty programs
• Delivery & logistics – missed packages, shipping problems

Real Examples: How STOP Is Used as Legitimacy Bait

These are not crude spam messages. Many are carefully crafted to trigger a sense of urgency or trust, or an emotional response.

Investment invitation scam

One message impersonates a well-known financial brand, offering access to a private, AI-powered trading strategy supposedly launching in 2026. It highlights exclusivity, claims there’s no cost or obligation, and pushes recipients to join a private WhatsApp group — ending with:

“Reply STOP to unsubscribe.”

Even people who don’t click the link but reply may still confirm their number as active.

Refund / funds added scam

Another message claims:

“[Name Redacted] funds $930.00 AUD re-added to [redacted]. Access now.”

It includes a link and ends with “reply STOP to unsubscribe.”

The specific amount and refund framing lower suspicion and create fear of missing out, particularly when money appears to be waiting.

Prize notification with familiarity pressure

Another message opens casually:

“Where have you been?! We have tried to mail you 3 times! You actually won!”

It pushes the recipient to open a link and ends with “reply STOP to unsubscribe.”

The informal tone, implied prior contact, and fear of missing out do the heavy lifting.

Despite targeting different emotions, they all encourage interaction and aim to confirm the phone number is active, preparing the ground for follow-up scams via SMS, calls, or messaging apps.

Why Replying STOP Can Backfire

By replying, you may:

• Confirm your number is active
• Be flagged as responsive
• Receive more scam texts
• Start getting scam or spam calls
• Be targeted with more convincing, personalized scams later

From a scammer’s perspective, any reply is valuable data.

When Replying STOP Is Actually Safe

Replying STOP is generally safe only if:

• You recognize the sender
• You knowingly opted in
• The message comes from a verified short code
• The timing and context make sense

If the message is unexpected, emotionally charged, or urgent, don’t reply.

A Safer Way to Unsubscribe from Legitimate Messages

For legitimate advertisers and service providers, replying to a text isn’t always the safest, or even a necessary, way to unsubscribe.

If you have an account with the company, you can often:

• Adjust communication preferences from your account settings
• Choose whether the company contacts you by email, phone, or SMS
• Turn off marketing messages entirely

Another safe option is to contact the company directly through a known, official channel, such as its website or official app, and ask to be removed from marketing messages.

This avoids interaction with unexpected texts and reduces the risk of you confirming your number to scammers impersonating real brands.

How Bitdefender Mobile Security Helps Combat SMS Scams

Because these scams rely on interaction, protection that works before you engage matters.

Bitdefender Mobile Security:

• Protects you from link-based mobile scams, blocking malicious links commonly used in scam texts
• Stops scam and spam calls with smart call filtering, reducing follow-up attacks
• Includes Scam Alert (Android), which proactively scans texts, notifications, and instant messages for scam patterns designed to lure clicks or replies

Scam Alert helps prevent you and your family from falling victim to mobile scams that rely on deceptive messages to enter your device.

Bitdefender Mobile Security is available as a standalone solution, or as part of a premium security suite that provides multi-device protection against malware and scams for the entire family.

If you’re worried about scams, you can also use free tools like Bitdefender Scamio and Bitdefender Link Checker to check suspicious messages or links before interacting with them.

FAQs

Can you be scammed by replying to a text?

Yes, but not on the spot. While replying won’t instantly hand over your data or compromise your accounts, it can confirm your number is active and lead to more targeted scam attempts.

Is it safe to reply STOP to texts?

Only when the sender is legitimate and you knowingly subscribed. For suspicious or unexpected messages, it’s safer not to reply.

Can a scammer get your info from a text message?

Not from a reply alone, but scam texts often lead to links, calls, or follow-ups designed to collect personal or financial information.

What happens if I text STOP?

With real companies, it usually unsubscribes you. With scammers, it may mark your number as responsive and increase future scam activity.