Samsung Google watch text spam

[Haybound]

Who is responsible for the spam text msgs that are going to my watch, only? I'm using Samsung messages, if it is indeed, still Samsung. Who knows? These msgs are not coming into my phone, and they are not numbers that I have blocked on my phone. I can't block them without opening them first. Would be pointless, anyway, as they are from a different number every time. Ty

[realaud]

If you are using Samsung Messages on both your phone and watch, the messages are synced and would be showing in both apps. Unless, for some reason, your watch has a completely separate number that is not paired with your phone's number - which is not likely, as you would have had to fight with your carrier to do that.  That is the only way a message will go to only your watch and not the phone.  As for who is responsible for the spam coming through, that would be the spammer (and the aforesaid carrier for not pairing your watch properly).

[Haybound]

3 times I've replied, and they're not showing up?!

[Haybound]

My replies with photo attachments are disappearing. So, I'll just say that these spam texts contain images. Yesterday, I got a txt on my gw6 ONLY, not on my phone. It was an ad for a curling iron from Target (I haven't been in a Target for 20+ years, have no account or cc card). Last week, it was political propaganda. A couple of weeks ago, there was one for some gem game from Google Play, and the following day another, for a new watch face, also from GP. Also, a couple of short numbers. 

All messages have been from different telephone numbers. None of those numbers are blocked on my phone. I never sign up to receive txt notifications from any businesses. I always have both my phone and watch on me (anything more than 12' apart and Bluetooth drops). Both devices share the same phone number. Txts from legitimate senders display on phone and watch alike. Spammers do not have the capability to send msgs just to my watch. 

As I'm writing this, I just got another one! It's from 'Trevor', who's apparently struggling with over 20k in debt. ARRGH!! 

[LongHiker]

@Haybound Is your watch an LTE version? If so, are these messages being sent to your watch's phone number?

[Haybound]

Yes, it is. And, I believe others experiencing this have had LTE, also. But, my devices share the same number. I called Verizon and they said no. Maybe coincidentally, but this has been going on since the update in July.

[Haybound]

Just noticed, the txts that are pushing to my watch only, contain a little watch symbol. Also, I've been receiving dozens and dozens of these. I've been deleting the notices, then viewing later on my phone. But, they're not on my phone. I had no idea how many of these were coming in. 😲

[LongHiker]

@Haybound Since your watch is LTE and you have service, your watch and phone both have unique phone numbers. Your carrier links your phone's number to your watch's number so any text or calls coming to your phone also reflect on your watch. 

What you are seeing is that someone is sending messages to your watch's number. If your carrier can't block text messages incoming to that number, maybe they can provide a different number for your watch. 

[Haybound]

I did not know this. Thank you!

[realaud · Accepted solution]

If the carrier pairs the watch and phone numbers correctly, the watch's number can't be reached except by the paired phone. If I dial my watch number or try to send a text, it's stopped dead and won't go through. I think Verizon needs to unpair and re-pair the watch...and maybe also ask for them to give the watch a new number.