The constant stream of notifications about receipts, debits and promotional offers from financial institutions often turns a useful tool into a source of irritation. Owners of smartphones based Android often wonder how to limit this information noise while maintaining the security of their accounts. Solving the problem requires an integrated approach, since the methods depend on the device model, version of the operating system and the policy of a particular bank.
Completely disabling notifications may not be practical if you use online banking services, but filtering spam and advertising is quite possible. In this article we will analyze in detail the standard tools of the system, the capabilities of specialized applications and the nuances of interaction with telecom operators. You'll learn the difference between critical transactional messages and marketing emails so you can customize your gadget to suit your needs.
Differences between transactional and marketing messages
Before you begin setting up filters, you need to clearly understand the nature of incoming messages. All SMS notifications are divided into two main categories: service (transactional) and advertising. The first contain information about the movement of funds through the account, confirmation codes for logging into your personal account or making payments. Blocking them may lead to the inability to use online banking or loss of control over finances.
The second type of messages is marketing mailings. Banks use them to inform customers about new loan products, increased deposit rates or partner promotions. Often such messages come from short numbers or special business addresses. It is this stream, and not technical notifications, that is the main target for blocking by most users.
Modern messenger algorithms on Android can automatically sort incoming messages, placing advertising content in a separate “Spam” folder. However, this function does not always work correctly, especially if the bank uses new gateways for sending. It is important to manually check the classification settings so that the system learns from your actions.
⚠️ Attention: Completely blocking all messages from a bank short number (for example, 900 or 100) may result in you not receiving a confirmation code when trying to log into the application or make an online purchase.
Using system filters on Android
The Android operating system provides built-in tools for managing incoming messages, which have become much more effective in the latest firmware versions. On devices with “pure” Android or shells from Google Pixel, Moto and Xiaomi these functions are available by default. The user does not need to install third-party software; it is enough to correctly configure the standard “Messages” application.
To activate filtering, you need to go to the application settings and find the section responsible for protecting against unwanted content. The system allows you to create blocking rules based on keywords or sender numbers. This is especially convenient if the bank sends advertisements from certain text templates containing the words “loan”, “promotion” or “offer”.
Owners of smartphones from Samsung and other brands may find additional options in the message settings menu. Here you can enable the Anti-spam feature, which uses databases of known scammers and advertising agencies. The algorithm automatically hides suspicious SMS in a separate folder without disturbing the user with a sound signal or vibration.
Periodically check the Spam folder in the messages application. Sometimes important notifications from delivery services or rare banking alerts appear there, which the system mistakenly classified as advertising.
The setup process may vary depending on the firmware version. Below is a universal sequence of actions that is suitable for most devices:
- 📱 Open the “Messages” application and click on the three dots in the corner of the screen.
- ⚙️ Go to the section
Settingsand select “Spam protection.” - 🚫 Activate the "Block spam and fraud" switch.
- 📝 Add specific numbers or keywords to the blacklist manually.
Third-party applications for filtering SMS
If the built-in tools are not enough, on help comes from specialized utilities from the store Google Play. The leaders in this niche are applications Should I Answer?, Call Blocker and solutions from antivirus companies such as Kaspersky or Dr.Web. These apps have advanced databases that are updated by the user community in real time.
The main advantage of third-party solutions is the ability to flexibly configure rules. You can create a filter that will block any messages containing the name of the bank if they do not come from an official short code. Some applications allow you to set a blocking schedule, turning off notifications at night or on weekends.
When installing such software, you must grant it the rights to read and send SMS. This is a mandatory requirement for filtering to work, but it raises concerns among users concerned about privacy. It is recommended to choose applications with open source code or from well-known vendors with an impeccable reputation.
It is important to note that aggressive settings can lead to false positives. If the app starts blocking verification codes, you risk losing access to your accounts at a critical time. Therefore, after installation, it is recommended to test it by asking a friend to send a test message or by making a trial transaction at a bank.
Services of cellular operators
Mobile operators (“Big Four” in the Russian Federation and analogues in other countries) offer their own anti-spam services. These solutions work at the network level, meaning unwanted messages are cut off before they even reach your device. This saves battery power and traffic, and also ensures that spam does not take up space in the phone's memory.
The service can be paid or free, depending on the tariff plan. The connection is usually made through a USSD command, a personal account on the operator’s website or a mobile application. For example, MTS has the Antispam service, Beeline has the Defender service, and MegaFon has the Antispam service. The functionality allows you to create white and black lists.
Operator filters are especially effective against mass advertising mailings, since communication providers have access to databases of legal and illegal senders. If the bank violates the distribution rules, the operator can block the entire flow of messages from this gateway upon a subscriber's complaint.
| Operator | Name of service | Cost | Connection method |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTS | Antispam | 2 rubles/day | Personal account / USSD |
| Beeline | Defender | 3 rub./day | App/Website |
| MegaFon | Antispam | Free (base) | Personal account |
| Tele2 | Black list | 1.5 rub./day | Team 144 |
⚠️ Attention: The terms of service and their cost can be changed unilaterally by the operator. Always check the latest information in the official application of your telecom operator or on the website.
Disabling notifications through bank settings
The most civilized and correct way to get rid of unnecessary noise is to configure notification settings directly in the banking application or personal account on the website. Most large financial institutions allow customers flexibility in managing which events they want to receive information about and which they do not.
Once in the profile settings section, find the “Notifications” or “Informing” item. Here you will see a list of all possible events: login, balance change, cashback accrual, promotional offers. Uncheck marketing-related items, leaving only critical transactional alerts.
Some banks offer alternative communication channels, for example, Push notifications through the app or messages in instant messengers. Push notifications are often more convenient because they are free (not charged by the operator) and contain more information. Switching to this format can completely solve the problem of paid SMS.
☑️ Setting up notifications in the bank
If the application does not allow fine-tuning, try contacting support via chat. The operator can manually disable the distribution of advertising materials for your number in the bank's internal database. This action does not require a visit to the office and is completed within a few minutes.
Blocking specific numbers and short codes
Sometimes it is enough to simply add the sender’s number to the phone blacklist. This method is effective if the advertisement comes from a permanent short number. In the standard Messages application, open a dialogue with the unwanted sender, click on the three dots in the menu and select “Block” or “Add to blacklist.”
However, this method has a significant drawback. Banks often use a pool of numbers or change sending gateways, so blocking one number may not stop the flow of messages from other addresses. In addition, if you block the main service number, you will no longer receive important verification codes.
For more advanced users, it is possible to block by mask or number range, but this requires the use of third-party applications or superuser rights (Root). Without root access, such manipulations are difficult, so it is better to combine blocking numbers with filtering by keywords.
What to do if the number is constantly changing?
If the bank uses dynamic numbers to send SMS, simple blocking will not help. In this case, the only workable solution is to use filters based on text content (keywords) in third-party applications or configure to ignore notifications from a specific message aggregator application.
Legal aspects and spam complaints
Sending advertising SMS without the prior consent of the subscriber is a violation of advertising and communications legislation in many countries. If the bank continues to bombard you with messages despite the requirement to unsubscribe (usually you need to send the word “STOP” in response), you have the right to file a formal complaint.
In Russia, compliance with these standards is monitored by the FAS (Federal Antimonopoly Service) and Roskomnadzor. A complaint can be submitted through the electronic reception, attaching screenshots of messages. Fines for banks for such violations can be significant, which often motivates them to respond faster to customer complaints.
Before filing a complaint, make sure that you really did not consent to the mailing. Often, a clause about consent to receive information in fine print is included in the service agreement or questionnaire when issuing a card. If consent has been given, it must be revoked in writing or through the bank's application.
⚠️ Attention: Sending the word “STOP” to a short number may be charged depending on your tariff plan. Check the cost of outgoing SMS to short numbers before sending the unsubscribe command.
The most effective method of combating is an integrated approach: disabling marketing in the bank settings + using the Android system filter + blocking at the operator level.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it safe to use third-party applications for blocking SMS?
Using applications from well-known developers (Kaspersky, Dr.Web, Should I Answer?) is safe. They have a strict privacy policy. However, avoid little-known utilities with questionable permissions, as they may intercept your verification codes.
Is it possible to block SMS from a bank so as not to pay for them?
Incoming SMS from banks are usually free for the recipient. The fee is charged only for the Mobile Bank service (linking a card to a number), if it is activated. Blocking the messages themselves does not cancel the subscription fee for the information service; it must be turned off separately through the bank.
What happens if I block the short number 900 (Sberbank)?
You will stop receiving any notifications from this number, including codes for logging into SberBank Online and confirming transfers. This will make using online banking impossible. It is recommended to use keyword filters instead of completely blocking a number.
How to distinguish a phishing SMS from a real bank message?
Real banks never ask you to follow a link in an SMS to enter your login, password or CVC card code. Phishing messages often contain shortened links and urgent calls to “unblock the card.” Always check the sender and do not click on links from suspicious messages.
Resetting your phone settings will delete blocked numbers?
If you completely reset the device to factory settings (Hard Reset), all data, including the blacklist in the phone memory, will be deleted. Block lists configured at the carrier level or in a Google cloud account will be saved and restored after authorization.