SMS Scams (Smishing) - PassPerscriber

What is Smishing?

Smishing is phishing conducted through SMS text messages. The term combines "SMS" and "phishing." Scammers send fraudulent text messages that appear to be from legitimate sources, trying to trick you into revealing personal information, clicking malicious links, or downloading malware.

Growing Threat: Smishing attacks increased by 328% in recent years. Mobile devices are now a primary target for cybercriminals because people tend to trust text messages more than emails.

🚩 Red Flags of Smishing

📦 Fake Delivery Notices

Messages claiming a package is waiting, requires action, or failed delivery.

Example: "Your package could not be delivered. Update address: [link]"

🏦 Bank Account Alerts

Fake security alerts about your bank account or suspicious activity.

Example: "Your account has been locked. Verify: [link]"

💰 Prize Notifications

Claims you've won money, prizes, or gift cards.

Example: "Congratulations! You won a $1000 Walmart gift card. Claim: [link]"

🔒 Account Verification

Urgent requests to verify account information or update payment details.

Example: "Netflix: Payment failed. Update billing: [link]"

👮 Impersonation

Pretending to be government agencies, IRS, police, or courts.

Example: "IRS: You owe taxes. Pay now to avoid arrest: [link]"

❤️ Romance Scams

Romantic interest quickly asking for money or personal information.

Example: "I need help urgently. Can you send $500?"

📲 Common Smishing Examples

1. Package Delivery Scam

                    📦 USPS: Your package delivery failed due to incomplete address. Confirm details: hxxps://usps-redelivery[.]com/track
                
                    Why it's fake: USPS doesn't text about failed deliveries unprompted. The URL isn't usps.com. They want you to enter personal info or payment details.

2. Banking Alert Scam

                    🏦 Bank of America Alert: Unusual activity detected on account ending in 4582. Verify immediately: [link] or call 555-0123
                
                    Why it's fake: Creates panic to rush you. Real banks tell you to call the number on your card, not a number in a text. The link leads to a fake login page.

3. Account Suspension Scam

                    Amazon: Your account has been suspended due to unusual activity. Restore access within 24 hours: amaz0n-security[.]net
                
                    Why it's fake: Amazon doesn't suspend accounts via text. Notice "amaz0n" with a zero instead of "amazon". Legitimate domain would be amazon.com.

4. IRS/Tax Scam

                    ⚠️ IRS URGENT: You have unpaid taxes. Immediate action required to avoid legal prosecution. Pay now: [link]
                
                    Why it's fake: The IRS NEVER contacts people via text message. They send official mail. They don't threaten arrest over text.

5. COVID-19 Related Scam

                    🦠 CDC Alert: You've been exposed to COVID-19. Schedule free testing: [link] Enter SSN to confirm identity.
                
                    Why it's fake: CDC doesn't text individuals about exposure. Never provide SSN via text or unsolicited links. Check official CDC website directly.

🛡️ How to Protect Yourself from Smishing

Don't click links in unexpected texts: If you get an unexpected text about your account, package, or payment, don't click the link. Go directly to the official app or website.
Verify with the company directly: Call the official customer service number (from their website, not the text) to verify if the message is real.
Check the sender: Be suspicious of random numbers, especially short codes or international numbers for supposedly domestic companies.
Never share personal info via text: Don't reply with passwords, SSN, account numbers, or payment information.
Look for urgency tactics: Scammers create artificial deadlines. Legitimate companies give you time to respond.
Enable spam filtering: Use your carrier's spam/scam protection features (AT&T Call Protect, T-Mobile Scam Shield, Verizon Call Filter).
Don't call numbers in suspicious texts: The phone number might connect you to scammers who impersonate customer service.
Report and delete: Report smishing to your carrier by forwarding to 7726 (SPAM), then delete the message.
Keep phone software updated: Updates include security patches against known threats.
Trust your instincts: If something feels wrong, it probably is. When in doubt, verify through official channels.

📊 Smishing vs. Phishing Comparison

Aspect	Phishing (Email)	Smishing (SMS)
Medium	Email	Text message (SMS)
Open Rate	20-30%	98% (texts almost always read)
Response Time	Hours to days	Minutes (texts feel urgent)
Trust Level	Lower (people expect email spam)	Higher (texts feel more personal)
Filtering	Strong spam filters common	Less sophisticated filtering
Link Visibility	Can hover to preview	Harder to inspect on mobile
Verification	Check sender email domain	Check sender number (often spoofed)

✅ What to Do If You Respond to a Smishing Scam

If you clicked a smishing link or provided information, take these steps immediately:

Don't panic - Quick action can minimize damage
Change passwords for any accounts you may have compromised
Enable 2FA on all important accounts immediately
Contact your bank if you provided financial information
Monitor accounts for unauthorized transactions or activity
Run antivirus scan if you downloaded anything
Report to carrier by forwarding to 7726 (SPAM)
Report to FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
Consider credit freeze if you shared SSN or sensitive data
Save evidence - Take screenshots before deleting

Remember: Even if you responded, taking immediate action greatly reduces potential harm. Learn from the experience to avoid future scams.

📞 How to Report Smishing

Your carrier: Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) - works for all major US carriers
FTC: Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov
Anti-Phishing Working Group: Forward to reportphishing@apwg.org
IRS (for tax scams): phishing@irs.gov
FBI IC3: ic3.gov for significant financial loss

📱 SMS Scams (Smishing)