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5 Signs That an SMS is a Scam (And What to Do About It)

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🚨 “Your bank account has been locked! Click this link to restore access.”
📩 “Congrats! You’ve won a free iPad! Reply YES to claim your prize.”
🔗 “Your package is delayed! Click here to track: [sketchy link]”

Ever gotten one of these texts? You’re not alone. SMS scams—also known as smishing (SMS phishing)—are on the rise, and scammers are getting sneakier than ever. They want your personal data, money, or account access, and they’ll use any trick to get it.

So how do you know if a text is legit or a scam? Here are 5 major red flags—and what to do if you spot them.

🔹 1. It’s Urgent (But Feels Suspicious)

Scammers love to create a sense of panic to trick you into acting without thinking.

🚨 Common examples:

  • “Your bank account has been compromised! Act now!”
  • “Your package couldn’t be delivered—confirm your info here!”
  • “Unusual login attempt detected! Reset your password immediately!”

Why it’s a scam:

  • Legitimate companies don’t send urgent texts demanding instant action.
  • They usually send multiple alerts (email + app notification), not just a random text.
  • Real banks and companies won’t ask you to verify personal info via SMS.

✅ What to do:

  • Don’t click any links or reply.
  • Check your account directly—open your bank’s app or visit their website manually (don’t use the link in the text).
  • Call the company’s official customer service if you’re unsure.

🔹 2. The Link Looks… Off

Scam texts often include fake links designed to look real—but they’re not.

🔗 Legit link: https://paypal.com/security-alert
❌ Scam link: https://paypal-security-login-alert.com

Why it’s a scam:

  • Scammers use misspellings, extra words, or weird domains to mimic real websites.
  • Instead of amazon.com, you’ll see amazon-secure-login.com (not real!).
  • Clicking these links can lead to fake login pages that steal your username and password.

✅ What to do:

  • Never tap a link in a suspicious SMS.
  • If it’s from a bank, delivery service, or online store, go directly to their official website or app.
  • Google the link (e.g., “Is paypal-security-login-alert.com a scam?”).

🔹 3. It’s Asking for Personal Info

🚨 “Confirm your credit card details to prevent fraud!”
🚨 “We detected unusual activity—send us your password to verify!”

👀 Rule #1: Real companies will never ask for personal details via text.

Why it’s a scam:

  • No legit bank, government agency, or business will ask for your password, Social Security number, or credit card info via SMS.
  • Even if the text looks real, it’s a trap.

✅ What to do:

  • Don’t reply with personal info—ever.
  • If you think it’s legit, call the company directly using their official number.

🔹 4. The Message Is From a Random or Weird Number

📩 “Hey, it’s Amazon! Click this link to claim your $500 gift card!” – from +17839276223 (Huh?)

Scammers use random numbers or even fake ones to send mass spam messages.

❌ Bad signs:

  • +1 country codes when the company is local
  • No recognizable business name
  • Shortened or random number sequences

✅ What to do:

  • Look up the sender’s number online.
  • If it’s a business, real texts usually come from official shortcodes like “Amazon (AMZN)” or “PayPal (PAYPAL)” instead of a long phone number.

🔹 5. It Sounds Too Good to Be True

🤑 “Congratulations! You just won $10,000!”
🎁 “You’ve been randomly selected for a free vacation!”
💰 “Click here to claim your $500 gas card!”

Why it’s a scam:

  • If you never entered a contest, you didn’t win anything.
  • No company is handing out free money for no reason.
  • Clicking these links usually leads to phishing sites or malware downloads.

✅ What to do:

  • Ignore it. If it was real, you’d hear about it from an official source, not a sketchy text.
  • Never give out financial details to claim a “prize.”

🔹 What to Do If You Get a Scam SMS

If you receive a scam text, here’s how to handle it safely:

✅ Don’t click links or reply. Even texting “STOP” can confirm your number is active.
✅ Block the number. On iPhones and Androids, long-press the message > Select Block & Report Spam.
✅ Report it! Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) to notify your carrier.
✅ Warn others. If you got a scam text, chances are others will too. Let friends and family know.

🚀 Stay Smart, Stay Safe

Scammers are getting more creative, but now you know how to spot their tricks before they fool you. If a text feels sketchy, rushed, or just too good to be true, trust your instincts—it’s probably a scam.

💬 Ever received a scam SMS? Drop your story below! Let’s help others stay safe. 🚀