How to identify and avoid SMS phishing attacks
"Smishing" (SMS phishing) is the text message equivalent of email phishing. Scammers send deceptive texts designed to trick you into clicking malicious links or sharing personal information. Smishing attacks increased 700% in the first half of 2024 alone.
"Your package couldn't be delivered": A text claiming to be from USPS, FedEx, or UPS with a link to "reschedule delivery." The link leads to a phishing site that steals personal information.
"Suspicious activity on your account": A text impersonating your bank with a link to "verify your identity." The link goes to a fake banking site designed to capture your login credentials.
"You've won a gift card": A text claiming you won a $500 Amazon or Walmart gift card. The link collects your personal information for identity theft.
"Your toll payment is overdue": A fake toll authority text with a link to pay a small "overdue" amount. The payment page captures your credit card information.
Shortened URLs (bit.ly, tinyurl, etc.) that hide the real destination. Urgency language — "Act now," "24 hours," "Account suspended." Requests for personal info via text — no legitimate company asks for passwords or SSN via text. Unknown sender with a generic greeting like "Dear Customer" instead of your name.
Never click links in unsolicited texts. If you think a message might be legitimate, open your browser and navigate to the company's website directly.
Don't reply to unknown senders. Even replying "STOP" confirms your number is active and may increase spam.
Forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM). This reports the message to your carrier's spam database.
Enable spam filtering. iPhone: Settings > Messages > Filter Unknown Senders. Android: Messages > Settings > Spam Protection.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes. How to identify text message scams (smishing). Common SMS scam patterns, how they work, and how to protect yourself from phishing texts.
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