Spam text messages, also known as “smishing”, are unsolicited text messages sent to your phone in an attempt to scam or trick you. They often contain malicious links or request personal information. Knowing how to identify, avoid, and report spam texts is important to protect yourself from fraud.
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What is a Spam Text Message?
A spam text message tries to scam you by:
- Requesting personal information like passwords or account numbers
- Asking you to pay money
- Getting you to click on a link that could download malware
- Pretending to be someone you know asking for help
Spammers often pose as legitimate companies, government agencies, or even friends and family members in an attempt to build trust. You should never provide sensitive information or click links in unsolicited text messages.
10 Common Examples of Spam Text Messages
Here are some examples of common spam text message scams:
1. Package Delivery Scam
A text states you have a pending package delivery and provides a link to fill out a form or track your package. The goal is to steal personal information or install malware on your device.
2. Bank Account Verification
A text claims there is suspicious activity on your bank account, asking you to verify personal account information. Real banks would never request sensitive data via text.
3. IRS Scam
A text pretends to be from the IRS stating you owe back taxes. It threatens penalties or arrest if you do not pay immediately via the provided link. The IRS does not initiate contact this way.
4. Apple iCloud Scam
A text warns your iCloud account will be deactivated unless you click a link to verify your identity. This is a phishing scam aiming to steal your Apple ID login credentials.
5. Job Offer Scam
A text message offers you a job, asking you to click a link to apply or provide personal information for a background check. This is likely a scheme to commit identity theft.
6. Family Emergency Scam
A text appears to come from a family member claiming they are in trouble and need you to send money immediately. But the number is spoofed – it’s not really your relative.
7. Free Gift Cards
A text states you have won a gift card to Amazon, Target, Walmart or another popular retailer. You just need to click a link first to claim it. The link leads to an illegitimate website to steal your data.
8. Fake Alerts From Your Phone Company
A text warns you that your phone service will be disconnected unless you click a link to update your account information right away. This is a scam to harvest your personal data.
9. Illegal Content Scam
A text accuses you of viewing illegal content on your IP address and demands you pay a fine via the link provided or face legal action. This is blackmail – just ignore it.
10. Investment Scams
A text offers a hot stock tip or the chance to make guaranteed returns on cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. These investment scams aim to siphon your money away.
4 Clear Ways to Identify a Spam Text Message
While spam texts may look convincing on the surface, there are red flags that can help you determine if a message is legitimate or not:
1. It’s Unexpected
If you receive an unsolicited message out of the blue, especially from an unknown number, it is likely a scam.
2. There Are Misspellings or Grammatical Errors
Most companies proofread official texts, while scammers often do not. Typos, poor grammar and awkward phrasing indicate a spam text.
3. It Makes Threats or False Promises
Texts threatening penalties for noncompliance or promising free money/prizes you didn’t sign up for are always suspicious.
4. It Pressures You to Act Fast
Language insisting you take immediate action before something bad happens signals a scam. No legitimate text message requires a split-second response.
How to Handle a Suspicious Spam Text Message
If you receive a questionable text message, do not click any links, provide personal information, make payments, or call phone numbers included in the message. Instead, take the following steps:
1. Report the Spam Text
Forward scam texts to 7726, which spells “SPAM” on your phone’s keypad. Your wireless provider uses these reports to identify and block future spam messages.
You can also file complaints about illegal texts at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Provide the phone number, date/time, content of the text, and explain why you think it’s spam.
2. Block the Sender
Block the phone number to prevent additional texts from the same scammer. On iPhones, tap the sender’s name, select “info”, then choose “block contact”. On Androids, touch and hold the text conversation, tap the three dots for more options, and select “block number”.
3. Beware of Spoofing
Even if a text appears to come from a number you know, it could be spoofed. Contact the supposed sender through a known, legitimate number or email address to confirm a suspicious text really came from them.
4. Report Identity Theft
If you already provided personal data or paid money to a scammer, visit IdentityTheft.gov immediately. This FTC website guides you through each step to take depending on what information the spam text messages obtained from you.
Reporting spam texts, blocking suspicious senders, and verifying questionable messages before taking action protects you from potential scams. Stay vigilant for signs of smishing and know where to turn for help if you fall victim to identity theft. Spreading awareness about common text message scams also helps prevent your friends and family from having their security compromised through these mobile attacks. With caution, common sense and quick reporting, we can work together to combat spam texts.
