How to stop spam Text/Calls?

Indianapolis, Indiana
General Landlording & Rental Properties
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How to stop spam Text/Calls?

Nick Wilson
Sacramento, CA · Member since 2019 · 27 posts · 21 votes

Hi BP,

I have a couple Rentals OOS in Indianapolis.   Over the last year I have seen an increase in people sending me Texts and Calls wanting to buy my properties (maybe some of you nice folks ;) ), but it's becoming a daily thing multiple times a day and such a nuisance.  I really don't know how anyone got my phone number, whih is bothersome.  Can someone please tell me how to get these to stop?

Thanks in advance,

Nick

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Nick C.
Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2011 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
3y

If you figure out how to stop the spam you will win a Nobel Peace Prize. 

5Reply
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  • Account Closed
    Investor · Scottsdale Austin Tuktoyaktuk · Member since 2021 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Nick Wilson:

    Hi BP,

    I have a couple Rentals OOS in Indianapolis.   Over the last year I have seen an increase in people sending me Texts and Calls wanting to buy my properties (maybe some of you nice folks ;) ), but it's becoming a daily thing multiple times a day and such a nuisance.  I really don't know how anyone got my phone number, whih is bothersome.  Can someone please tell me how to get these to stop?

    Thanks in advance,

    Nick

    Phone numbers are sold through skip tracing. With the huge increase in wholesalers it's no wonder you are being overwhelmed. 

    There is a DNC (Do Not Call) list to put your number on and for most wholesalers, they will honor the DNC.

    For others, texting back Stop will prevent further text messages.

    My iPhone allows me to block incoming numbers I don't want to receive text messages from and I use that a lot.

    And for those who do not regard DNC or Stop, you text back, ask who they are, ask how much they are offering and get their name and company. Then you inform them you no longer want messages to this phone number and you will be sending their number as abusive to the carriers. Then you text them Stop.

    Then you start a list and at your discretion, if they continue, you can report them and they get fined.

    To really get all future texts to stop, you get yourself designated as a "litigator" by reporting them and taking appropriate action. 
    4Reply
  • Nick C.
    Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2011 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    3y

    If you figure out how to stop the spam you will win a Nobel Peace Prize. 

    5Reply
  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    3y

    I especially like when they call you for houses you don't own and have never owned.  I have no idea how that happens.  You paid for this list?  what a waste of money.

    Block them, offer the house at a ridiculous price. texting stop sometimes works but sometimes not because when you get phone calls it sounds like the same person.  I have to remember that idea of getting the name and reporting them. 

    2Reply
  • Johann Villalvir
    Real Estate Consultant · San Francisco, CA · Member since 2023 · 109 posts · 71 votes
    3y

    Easy but not too effective: add your phone number to the Do Not Call Registry https://www.donotcall.gov/

    Hard and most effective: change ownership of your properties to an LLC since these are a lot harder to skip trace

    0Reply
  • Nick GiulioniPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Carmel, IN · Member since 2016 · 1k+ posts · 615 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Nick C.:

    If you figure out how to stop the spam you will win a Nobel Peace Prize. 


     Agreed! If you find a solution that works... please let me know!

    0Reply
  • Ryan Bakerian
    Real Estate Agent · Albany, NY · Member since 2017 · 80 posts · 26 votes
    3y

    I've noticed this in general as well with my business. I get roughly 10-15 spam texts and calls a day. Most lead generation services. There's an app for iPhone called "True Caller" that I installed that works well. It has knocked some down. There is even a free version you can download. 

    1Reply
  • Carlton B.
    Rental Property Investor · Milwaukee, WI · Member since 2013 · 281 posts · 133 votes
    3y

    I hate to be captain obvious but I don't answer calls I don't recognize. Especially on my private number, and my business line (google voice)rarely gets spam. It seems easier to ignore them then fight them kinda like a bully.

    0Reply
  • Pam Brown
    Real Estate Agent · Indianapolis IN · Member since 2022 · 144 posts · 65 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Carlton B.:

    I hate to be captain obvious but I don't answer calls I don't recognize. Especially on my private number, and my business line (google voice)rarely gets spam. It seems easier to ignore them then fight them kinda like a bully.


     Yeah, but this is rough not to answer unknown calls if you were a real estate broker like I am in Indianapolis.  I get a lot of calls from prospective clients that I don't know.  So it's easier for me to go ahead and answer (and then hang up!) rather than miss calls or have a bunch of VMs.  These Spammers are more crafty now.  They call from the same 317 area code even it they aren't from Indy. 463 is an area code that I get a lot of spams.  But then someone called me last week from a 463 and it was someone that I knew.  UGH!

    1Reply
  • Hugh S.
    Rental Property Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2015 · 3 posts · 2 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Johann Villalvir:

    Easy but not too effective: add your phone number to the Do Not Call Registry https://www.donotcall.gov/

    Hard and most effective: change ownership of your properties to an LLC since these are a lot harder to skip trace


    Indianapolis investor owner here; properties all purchased / held in LLCs. Text and spam call tsunamis to me personally, even with different registered agent name, etc. When I felt like playing, the ridiculous price, all cash, no contingencies, may stop the single conversation, but not the tsunami. I value my privacy, so was considering a second LLC layer using Wyoming, but that's a lot of PITA and $ for peace of mind, and would that even be effective? DNC list - hah!

    I am experimenting with "accidently" responding to the text with the 4-digit number that reports it as spam to FTC - 7726. It's a clunky process to actually report it to the FTC, and these texts may not meet the legal definition. However, it may cause the sender problems if their numbers are reported to cellphone networks, etc. Such a Mean Girl!

    Seriously, if I needed or wanted to sell quickly, I would use MLS or BP marketplace and let the bidding wars begin!

    1Reply
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    3y

    Wait for the market to turn and they'll go away, but they'll probably be replaced with the next big thing.

    The DIY Landlord Book4.7243 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    0Reply
  • Mark Jones
    Property Manager · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2022 · 150 posts · 59 votes
    3y

    Numbers now have to be registered and they are being more regulated, so hopefully that will help in the next 6 months or so.  

    0Reply
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