Five common text messaging scams and how to avoid them

What is a text messaging scam?

Even if you’ve got a keen eye for detecting scams, text messaging scams can still trip you up if you’re not careful. Short message service phishing, or “smishing” for short often involves messages sent by scammers who are impersonating government agencies and corporations. In some extreme cases, scammers may even do some research and personalize their messages to make them easier to fall for. Texting scams are cheap and easy to set up, making them a preferred choice for many scammers.

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Common text messaging scams to look out for

Since text messaging scams are being sent more frequently, there’s a chance that the message you’ve received was already uncovered as a fake. Here are five common scam text messages that you may get:

Messages from bank impersonators

According to the FTC, the most common text messaging scams are regarding banks and credit card information.¹ Fake messages from banks may look like an alert to inform you that your bank account has been locked because of suspicious activity, or it could be a message to confirm a recent payment that you’ve made. These text scams are very easy to fall for because anyone’s bank account can be hacked into. When the message appears to come from the bank that you actually use, it can be especially tough to tell if it’s fake.

If you ever receive a message from a bank, be sure to check that it’s really your bank that sent the message. It also helps to check your own account without clicking on any links from the message to determine if your account is actually frozen.

Package delivery notices

A message from the postal service claiming that your package could not be delivered may also be a fraud. If you are expecting a package in the mail and receive a fake message from USPS, it may be tempting to follow up. However, these scam messages are attempts at getting your credit card number. Instead of interacting with these messages, track your package online and contact your delivery service directly.

Wrong number or fake friend messages

Scam texts don’t always come from fake corporations. A recent text message scam that has made its way onto many phones is the “friend” or “acquaintance” that supposedly sent a message to you by mistake. Scammers may also pretend to be a person who was given the wrong number after a date and include a fake picture of someone in the message. While it might seem like you should inform the sender that they have the wrong number, it’s best to ignore these messages to avoid getting scammed.

IRS or government notices

Getting a message from the IRS may cause some alarm, but thankfully many of these messages are fake. Scammers may send text messages from the “IRS” claiming that there is a warrant for your arrest due to tax evasion, but the IRS does not actually send texts to citizens. You may also get notified about additional stimulus benefits or tax refunds from W-2 forms, which are likely scams as well. Any messages regarding the IRS should always be blocked or deleted from your phone.

Sweepstake prize winner notifications

Winning a sweepstake or giveaway can be exciting, but getting scammed off of one is much less fun. If you get notified via text that you’ve won a prize, it’s important to be absolutely sure that you’re aware of what they are talking about. You should never assume that you’ve entered a contest without meaning to, as this puts you at risk for getting scammed. Before accepting a prize from a sweepstake, make sure to check for spelling errors and other suspicious signs.

Like email scams, text messaging scams are a quick and easy way to get tricked out of lots of money. By being extra careful about text messages with unknown senders, you can avoid letting your personal information fall into the wrong hands. Find more digital safety tips for protecting yourself while using technology.

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