The word “smishing” comes from combining “SMS” — which stands for Short Message Service, the technology behind texting — with “phishing,” the practice of trying to steal personal or financial information through deceptive communications, primarily emails. Basically, it’s phishing by another means, namely, text messages on mobile devices.
Like phishing emails, smishing texts are social-engineering scams that aim to manipulate people into revealing payment or sensitive data such as Social Security numbers, credit card numbers and account passwords or providing access to your laptop. They rely on persuading you that the sender is a familiar or trusted source and that urgent action is needed to secure a benefit, resolve a problem or avert a threat.
While the number of reports of scams with a text declined in 2024, the amount of money stolen skyrocketed, with victims reporting $470 million in theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). That’s more than five times what was reported in 2020. Experts agree that underreporting makes it likely that the actual amount is far higher.
6 common smishing scams
A scam text might say you’ve won a lottery prize or you missed a toll road payment. It could look like an alert from a government agency, such as Social Security or the IRS, or link to a phony invoice or cancellation notice for a product or service you supposedly bought. Here are six of the most common scams:
1. Fake delivery-related text messages. These texts appear to be from the likes of Amazon, FedEx or the U.S. Postal Service, about an impending package or a shipment snafu. You may be sent to a website, where you’re asked to verify your address and perhaps pay a small “redelivery fee.”
2. Phony job offers.. Someone may claim to be from a recruiter who has a job. Employment opportunities were the third most common fraud reported to the FTC in 2024. Victims may end up as unwitting money mules, putting up their own money for equipment with the promise of reimbursement or revealing private financial information when applying for a phony job.
3. Bogus bank fraud warnings.. These texts may appear to be from your financial institution with urgent messages to verify a transaction. Your response, whether a click or a call, gives scammers the means to steal your money or sensitive information or to infect your device with malware.
4. Fake claims that you have unpaid tolls. Notices that you failed to pay road tolls may be sent by text along with a link to click on to pay the toll amount you “owe.”
5. Messages that appear to have been sent to the wrong number. Scammers will text with a simple “hi” or a message arranging an appointment or meeting with someone. If you write back, they’ll start a conversation that may lead to a romance or cryptocurrency investment scam (these schemes are often combined).
6. Warnings that an account has expired. These texts might appear to come from a mobile provider, or a service like Amazon, Netflix or PayPal, claiming your account has expired or been locked and you need to provide personal information or click on a link to reactivate it. That gives the scammers means to steal your money, identity or to infect your device with malware.
Warning signs of a smishing scam
Here are a few red flags that a text is a scam:
- The message directs you to click a link to resolve a problem, win a prize or access a service.
- The exchange leads to requests for personal information, such as your Social Security number, bank account information or an online account password.
- The sender claims to be from a government agency. Government bodies almost never initiate contact with someone by phone or text, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
How to protect yourself from this scam
Filter unknown messages. Consider using tools that filter or block unwanted messages or unknown senders. Your mobile device may have spam protection. Check the settings on its messaging app. Major wireless carriers offer free call-blocking apps. You can also find companies that, for a monthly fee, provide scam-blocking services.
Avoid replying. Don’t respond, even if the message says you can “text STOP” to avoid more messages. That tells the scammer or spammer your number is active and can be sold to other bad actors.
Never click on links in suspicious texts. They could install malware on your device or take you to a site that does the same.
Be aware that phone numbers can be spoofed. Scammers use caller ID spoofing to make it appear the text is from a trusted or local source.
How to report scams
Forward spam and scam texts to 7726. The FTC has instructions on how to do this here.
Report suspected smishing to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Not every complaint leads to enforcement action, but the information can help officials to spot trends and sometimes identify the criminals. If money has been stolen from you, report the crime to your local law enforcement and to the FBI at www.ic3.gov.
For support and guidance, contact the trained fraud specialists at the free AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline, 877 -908-3360. The AARP Fraud Watch Network also offers online group support sessions for victims and their family members.
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