Harassing text messages are different from harassing emails in one important way: they arrive on your phone. The same device you use for everything else: work calls, messages from friends, emergencies. There’s no easy way to separate them, and no obvious place to filter them before they reach you.

A friendly note: This guide shares general information to help you understand your options. It isn’t legal advice, and it can’t tell you what to do in your own situation. For that, a lawyer or a free legal service is the best next step, and you’ll find some in Where to get help.

Most advice starts and ends with “block them.” That works in straightforward situations. But if you share children with the person, have ongoing legal proceedings, or simply can’t risk missing a legitimate message buried inside the hostility, blocking isn’t a complete answer. Our guide on how to stop someone texting without blocking them covers those cases.

This guide covers the realistic options for stopping harassing texts: what works, what doesn’t, and how to build a record if you need to take legal action.

What counts as harassing text messages

Not every unwanted message is legally considered harassment, but a pattern of text messages can cross that line quickly. Harassing texts typically involve one or more of the following:

  • Repeated messages sent after the recipient has asked the person to stop
  • Threatening or intimidating language
  • Messages clearly intended to cause fear, distress, or humiliation
  • Insults, abuse, or personal attacks
  • Excessive contact that serves no legitimate purpose

In Australia, persistent unwanted contact by SMS can constitute stalking or harassment under state and territory criminal laws. You don’t need to receive a physical threat. A sustained pattern of abusive or distressing texts may be enough for police to get involved or to support a protection order application, and a lawyer or free legal service can tell you what applies to you. In the US, harassment and stalking laws vary by state, and our guide to text messages as evidence in US courts explains how texts are used.

Why blocking alone often isn’t enough

Blocking is always worth doing when there’s no reason to stay in contact with the person. But it has real limitations:

  • The person can switch to a new SIM card or a different number and continue texting
  • They can use messaging apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, or iMessage from a new account
  • If you share children, finances, or legal proceedings with them, blocking creates its own problems: you may miss important information or be seen as unresponsive
  • Blocking removes your ability to document what they’re sending

Document first, block second. Screenshots of harassing texts, with the sender’s name or number visible, can be useful evidence. Deleting them before you have copies means losing that record permanently.

Document before you do anything else

Before blocking, filtering, or taking any other step, make sure you have a record of what’s been sent. For text messages and SMS:

  • Screenshot every harassing message with the sender’s name or number clearly visible in the frame
  • Note the date and time of each message if it isn’t visible in the screenshot
  • Back up screenshots to cloud storage immediately
  • If you have a solicitor or are planning to contact police, consider having your phone inspected rather than relying only on screenshots

A relay number (covered below) automates all of this: it timestamps and archives every incoming SMS automatically, without you needing to screenshot anything.

Your options

Block the number

The simplest step. On iPhone, open the message thread, tap the contact name, and select Block this Caller. On Android, open the thread, tap the menu icon, and select Block. This stops texts from that specific number reaching you. Bear in mind that a determined harasser will simply use a different number.

Use a relay number

A relay number is a virtual mobile number you share with the person instead of your real one. Incoming texts go to the relay first, where they’re filtered for abusive content and then delivered to you: with FenceChat, to your email inbox and Dashboard, so hostile SMS messages never ambush you on your lock screen. Your real number is never revealed. Every original SMS is archived automatically, so you have a timestamped record of everything they send, including content that was filtered out before delivery. It is different from a second phone number, which hides your number but filters nothing.

This is the most practical option when you need to stay contactable but want protection from the content of their messages. The other person installs nothing and keeps texting as usual. The first time they message, they get a one-time notice that messages are processed by AI and stored.

Change your number

A last resort, and one that creates significant disruption. Changing your mobile number means updating every contact, service, and account that uses it. If the harasser finds your new number (which is easier than it sounds), you’re back to the same position. A relay number achieves most of the same benefits without this disruption. If the texts started after a sale, our guide to selling online without sharing your real number can help next time.

Contact police

If you’ve received threatening texts, or if the volume and nature of the harassment is severe, contact local police. If you are in immediate danger, call 000 in Australia or 911 in the US. It helps to bring documentation: screenshots, dates, a written record of what happened. Police can issue warnings, investigate for harassment or stalking offences, and refer you to victim support services.

Apply for a protection order

In Australia you can apply for an Apprehended Violence Order (AVO), Domestic Violence Order (DVO), or equivalent depending on your state or territory. These orders can include conditions prohibiting all contact, including by text message or SMS. Breach of a protection order is a criminal offence. A documented history of harassing texts can support an application, and a lawyer or free legal service can tell you whether an order fits your situation. In the US, the equivalent is a protective or restraining order, and the rules vary by state. Our US guide explains the basics.

When the harassing texts involve co-parenting

Co-parenting situations are particularly difficult. Courts and mediators generally expect parents to remain contactable for child-related matters, which makes blocking complicated. The harassment often contains genuine practical information (school events, schedule changes, medical appointments) buried inside abuse or hostility.

A relay number with AI filtering handles this well. Each incoming text is processed by AI, which takes out the hostile content and passes through the useful information. You stay reachable and informed without being exposed to the abuse every time a text arrives.

Workplace text harassment

Harassing texts from a former employer, manager, or colleague may fall under workplace harassment laws. If the texts are from a current or recent employer, it helps to document everything. In Australia, Fair Work or a workplace lawyer can explain your options. In the US, the EEOC handles federal workplace harassment charges, and state agencies can help too. If they’re from a former employee, business dispute party, or client, a relay number is a practical first step, and some people also ask a lawyer about a cease and desist letter (in the US, see our guide to cease and desist letters for harassment).

Where to get help

These services are free or low-cost. If you or someone else is in danger, call your local emergency number first.

Australia

If you feel unsafe

  • Emergency: 000 Police, ambulance or fire, if you or someone else is in danger.
  • 1800RESPECT Free, confidential counselling for family, domestic and sexual violence, any time. 1800 737 732.

Online abuse, stalking and cybercrime

Free or low-cost legal help

Someone to talk to

  • Lifeline Crisis support and suicide prevention, any time. 13 11 14.
  • Beyond Blue Support for anxiety, stress and low mood. 1300 22 4636.

United States

If you feel unsafe

Online abuse, stalking and cybercrime

Free or low-cost legal help

Someone to talk to

United Kingdom

If you feel unsafe

Online abuse, stalking and cybercrime

Free or low-cost legal help

Someone to talk to

  • Samaritans Someone to talk to, any time. Call 116 123.
  • Mind Mental health information and support.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as harassing text messages?

Harassing texts include persistent unwanted contact, threatening or intimidating language, abuse sent to cause fear or distress, and repeated contact after you’ve asked the person to stop. In most Australian states and territories, this can constitute criminal harassment or stalking. In the US, harassment laws vary by state.

Why doesn’t blocking stop harassing texts?

Blocking works in simple cases but fails when you need to stay in contact with the person, or when the harasser simply switches to a new number or messaging app. Blocking is useful but rarely a complete solution on its own.

How do I document harassing text messages as evidence?

Screenshot every message with the sender’s name or number visible, and note the date and time. Back up screenshots to cloud storage. A relay SMS number automatically archives every incoming text with a timestamp, which is more reliable than manual screenshots.

Can I get a restraining order for harassing text messages?

Often, yes. In Australia, people can apply for an AVO, DVO, or equivalent that prohibits contact including by text or SMS. In the US, protective or restraining orders work in a similar way, and the rules vary by state. Courts generally take documented patterns of harassing texts seriously, and a lawyer or free legal service can tell you whether an order fits your situation.

What is a relay number and how does it help with harassing texts?

A relay number is a virtual mobile number you give to contacts in place of your real one. Incoming SMS messages are filtered for abusive content and delivered to you: with FenceChat, to your email inbox and Dashboard. Your real number stays hidden, and every original message is archived automatically.