Locked out of your Amazon account after a hack? It might be a simple fix, but one that many people don't know about. The solution could be hiding on your phone, in a spam folder. This is the story of Renee Stevens, who was locked out of her Amazon account after a hacker changed her password, email, and phone number. The issue arose when Amazon tried to send her a six-digit code via text message to reset her password, but the code never arrived.
What many people don't realize is that phone companies and messaging apps have started screening texts for us, and some of these texts can end up in a spam folder. For Renee, the six-digit code was flagged as spam, and she had no idea it was there. This is a common problem, as scam texts are also filtered, and it can be frustrating to be locked out of your account.
The solution is simple, but it requires a bit of detective work. On an iPhone running iOS 26, you can access the spam folder by opening Messages, tapping the Filters button, tapping Spam, and then reviewing the messages. To move a message back to your inbox, tap Not Spam and then Move to Inbox. Apple confirms that Filter Spam is enabled by default in iOS 26.
For Android users, the process is similar. Open Google Messages, tap your profile photo or icon, tap More options, and then tap Spam & blocked. From there, you can review the conversations and unblock contacts to move them back to the Home screen. Samsung phone users can access blocked numbers and messages by going to the Inbox tab, tapping More options, and then selecting Block numbers and spam.
This issue highlights the importance of checking your spam folder regularly, especially when it comes to important communications like account recovery codes. It's a simple fix, but one that can save a lot of frustration and time. So, the next time you're locked out of an account, remember to check that spam folder on your phone.
In my opinion, this is a crucial piece of information that many people might overlook. It's a reminder that technology can sometimes be a double-edged sword, and it's our responsibility to stay informed and proactive in managing our digital lives. What many people don't understand is that these simple steps can make a significant difference in their online security and peace of mind.
