For the first time in 2022, spam texts in the U.S. exceeded the number of spam calls.
The new numbers from the RoboKiller 2021 Phone Scam Report also indicate that spam communication of all types continues to skyrocket.
In 2021, Americans received 87.8 billion spam text messages and 72.2 billion spam calls, annual increases of 58% and 32%, respectively.
"Not only are we dealing with spam calls now, we have another newer and larger problem in spam texts. And it doesn't seem to be going anywhere any time soon!" Giulia Porter from RoboKiller said.
But why are spam texts growing at such an alarming rate? Porter said the scammers are making adjustments.
"People don't trust their phone when it rings anymore," Porter said. "Spam texts are a lot easier (to send), and a lot less disruptive."
The most common scam texts were for: Deliveries (26%), COVID-19 (6.5%), and Banks (3.5%).
Most spam calls and texts don't work, of course. But put enough lines in the ocean, and you're sure to catch a few fish. It's not a victimless crime.
According to RoboKiller estimates, spam texts alone cost Americans more than $10 billion in 2021.
"It's a really important point that people need to protect themselves from the true consequences of what can happen," Porter said. "This can happen to everyone, and this has true consequences for all of us."
Texas was the most phone-spammed state in total, with around 10-billion spam texts, and more than 8.8-billion spam calls in the last year.
And on a per-capita basis, Texans got 422 spam texts, and 372 robo calls just last year.
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