In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission reported that Americans lost roughly $470 million from scam texts, a 434% increase from 2020. Spam texts, also known as “smishing,” are a growing issue, and many people become victims because they aren’t aware of the methods scammers use to steal their information. Knowing spam text message examples can help you protect yourself and be aware of the various types of scams.
Below are 20 spam message examples that scammers use for nefarious purposes. We also give you five signs of fake text messages, how you can avoid them with iPhone and Android settings and how you can report spam texts.
20 Spam Text Examples
Recognizing common scam text messages can help protect your personal information, passwords and finances. Below are 20 scam text examples of popular categories to help you identify and avoid these deceptive tactics.
1. Deliveries
These scams impersonate delivery services, claiming an issue with your package to trick you into providing information or paying a fee. You may not even be expecting a package, but scammers send these texts out to numerous people in hopes that they reach someone who is expecting something. They often create a sense of urgency to bypass your scrutiny.
Example text: “USPS: Your package is pending delivery due to an unpaid shipping fee. Please update your information here to avoid return: [suspicious link]”
2. Family Emergencies
Scammers exploit your concern for loved ones by sending urgent messages claiming a family member is in trouble and needs immediate financial assistance. These messages often lack specific details and pressure you to act quickly.
Example text: “Hi Grandma, it’s your grandson. I got into a car accident and need money for the hospital, please send $500 to this CashApp: [CashApp ID]”
3. Free Gift Cards or Prizes
These enticing messages promise valuable rewards like gift cards or prizes to lure you into clicking on spoofed or malicious website links or providing personal details. Remember, legitimate giveaways rarely require you to pay a fee or provide sensitive information upfront.
Example text: “Congratulations! You’ve won a $100 Amazon gift card! Click here to claim your prize now: [phishing link]”
4. Overpayments and Refunds
This scam involves a message claiming you’ve overpaid or are due a refund, prompting you to click a link or provide bank details to “receive” the funds. In reality, they are trying to steal your information.
Example text: “You’ve overpaid $50 for a recent transaction. Click here to process your refund: [fake payment link]”
5. Unknown Group Texts
Receiving a text message in a group with unfamiliar numbers can be a sign of a scam. These texts often contain suspicious links or promotional offers that could lead to malware or phishing sites. You typically won’t know other people in the group text because scammers text multiple strangers at the same time.
Example text: “Hey everyone! Check out this amazing deal! [suspicious link]”
6. Issues With Payment Information
These messages create fear by suggesting a problem with your payment information for a service you supposedly use, urging you to update it immediately to avoid service disruption. The provided website link will likely lead to a fake login page that will ask you to enter your personal information.
Example text: “Your [streaming service] account payment failed. Please update your payment details here to continue watching: [fake streaming service login link]”
7. Texts From Your Boss
Scammers may impersonate your boss or a colleague, often with an urgent request that requires you to take immediate action, such as purchasing gift cards or sending money. Always verify these requests through another communication channel.
Example text: “Hi, it’s [Boss’s Name], and I need you to purchase $500 in gift cards as soon as possible for a client and send me the codes. Let me know when done.”
8. Suspicious Activity Texts
These alerts claim suspicious activity has been detected on one of your accounts, prompting you to click a link to “secure” it. The link will likely lead to a fake login page designed to steal your credentials.
Example text: “[Bank Name]: We’ve detected unusual login activity on your account. Verify it now: [phishing link]”
9. Credit Card Offers
Unsolicited text messages offering enticing credit card deals with low interest rates or high rewards can be scams to collect your personal information. Legitimate offers usually come through more secure channels.
Example text: “You’ve been pre-approved for a platinum credit card with 0% APR for 18 months! Apply now: [fake application link]”
10. Job Offers
Be wary of unsolicited text messages offering lucrative job opportunities, especially those that seem too good to be true or require an upfront fee. These scams are designed to collect your personal information or money.
Example text: “URGENT HIRING! Earn $500/day working from home. No experience needed. Apply here: [scam job application link]”
11. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Scammers might send fake 2FA codes you didn’t request, often accompanied by a message urging you to click a link or call a number. This is a tactic to intercept your real login attempts.
Example text: “Your [account name] verification code is: 123456. If you did not request this, secure your account here: [phishing link]”
12. Texts From Government Agencies
Impersonating government agencies like the IRS or Social Security Administration, these texts often threaten legal action or promise benefits to scare you into providing personal information or money. Legitimate agencies rarely contact you via text for sensitive matters.
Example text: “IRS Notice: You have an outstanding tax issue. Immediate action is required to avoid penalties. Visit: [fake IRS website link]”
13. Subscription Renewals
These messages falsely claim that a subscription you supposedly have is about to renew at a high cost, prompting you to click a link to cancel. The link will likely lead to a phishing site.
Example text: “Your [streaming service] subscription will auto-renew for $99.99. Cancel now to avoid charges: [fake cancellation link]”
14. Fake Debt Collectors
Scammers impersonate debt collection agencies, claiming you owe a past-due debt and threatening legal action or negative credit reporting if you don’t pay immediately. They often pressure you to provide personal information or make a payment to avoid these consequences.
Example text: “URGENT: This is a final notice regarding an outstanding debt. Failure to pay will result in legal action. Contact us immediately at: [fake phone number] or visit: [suspicious link]”
15. Texts From Your Own Number
A particularly alarming scam involves receiving a text message that appears to be sent from your own phone number. This tactic can be used to spread malware or trick you into believing your account has been compromised.
Example text: “This is [cell phone service provider], and we’re sending a special offer to our loyal customers. Click here for more details! [suspicious link]”
16. Bank Account Verification
These messages impersonate your bank, claiming they need to verify your account details due to suspicious activity or security reasons. They will often provide a link to a fake login page.
Example text: “This is [Bank Name]. For security reasons, please verify your account information: [phishing link]”
17. Cryptocurrency Scams
With the rise of cryptocurrency, scammers send texts promising high investment returns or alerting you to issues with your crypto wallet, often including links to fake trading platforms or recovery services. The goal is to get access to your crypto wallet login information.
Example text: “Insiders say [Cryptocurrency] is about to explode in value. Buy now while the price is still low: [scam cryptocurrency link]”
18. Utility Bill Issues
These scam texts claim there’s a problem with your utility bill, such as an overdue payment, and threaten service disconnection if you don’t pay immediately via the provided link. The link leads to a fake payment portal.
Example text: “Your electricity service will be disconnected due to non-payment. Pay now: [fake payment link]”
19. Overdue Toll Fees
This scam claims you have unpaid toll fees and threatens late charges or penalties if you don’t pay immediately through the provided link. These links lead to fake payment pages designed to steal your financial information.
Example text: “E-Toll Alert: You have an outstanding balance. Pay immediately to avoid penalties: [fake toll payment website]”
20. Account Reactivation
These messages claim your account for a certain service has been temporarily suspended, requiring you to click a link or provide information to reactivate it. The link will likely lead to a phishing site.
Example text: “Your [social media platform] account has been temporarily locked. Reactivate it here: [fake login link]”
How to Identify a Fake Text Message: 5 Telltale Signs
As seen above, spam texts can take many forms. That said, it can still be tricky to sniff one out, especially as hackers grow more sophisticated with their scams. Here are a few key tips to keep in mind that can help you spot a spam text or smishing scam:
- The message has no relevance to you: The message seems completely out of the blue and isn’t connected to an activity you’ve recently undertaken. Maybe it names a bank you’ve never held an account with or warns you about a delivery you never ordered.
- The message conveys a sense of urgency: The message urges you to act quickly to avoid some type of penalty. The sense of urgency is manufactured so that you act before you think. When in doubt, double-check the information from other sources, verify whether your delivery incurs further fees or call your grandson to make sure he isn’t really under arrest in Mexico.
- The message is from an unfamiliar phone number: The message is from a phone number you don’t recognize or a phone number with five to six digits instead of 10. Scammers use a variety of phone numbers and generate new ones regularly. If the number is unfamiliar or has fewer digits than it should, it’s a clear sign that it’s likely a scam.
- The message contains misspellings and poor grammar: The message is written with poor grammar, misspelled words or generally awkward use of language. This could be a misspelled company name, strange punctuation or obviously bad grammar. Remember that the companies you trust have trained professionals working on their messaging systems, making these mistakes a very clear sign of a scam.
- The message has a suspicious link: The message contains a suspicious link, often shown as a “bit.ly” link (bit.ly/yourprize001). Pay close attention to the link, as many scammers make it appear legitimate at a glance, such as “AMAZ0N” (with a 0 instead of an O).
How to Avoid Text Message Scams
There are a number of steps you can take to reduce the chances of falling victim to a text message scam:
- Opt out of text marketing communications for companies and retailers you shop with.
- Download free call-blocker apps (which also block spam texts) like Nomorobo or Hiya. You can view a full list of call-blocking apps for different types of phones at ctia.org (Android, Apple and Windows).
- Never respond to unsolicited texts (not even by using “STOP” to opt out).
- Never click on links in a text from an unknown or suspicious sender.
- Never share any personal or financial information with an unknown sender.
- Be cautious about where you share your cell phone number or other personal information, especially in response to pop-up ads or free trial offers.
- Regularly update your phone’s security settings when prompted.
- Filter out potential spam texts from unknown senders (instructions below):
iPhone:
- Tap Settings > Apps > Messages, then scroll down to Message Filtering > toggle on Filter Unknown Senders
Android:
- In Messages, tap the three-dot icon > Settings > Spam protection
- Check the Enable Spam Protection toggle
How to Report Spam Texts
Reporting potential spam texts is another great way to avoid a smishing scam. There are a few ways you can report them:
- Copy the message and forward it to 7726 (SPAM).
- Submit a report to the Federal Trade Commission.
- Submit a report using your phone’s messaging app. Instructions below:
iPhone:
- Open the Messages app and open the spam text
- At the top of the conversation, tap the sender’s contact icon
- Tap the info button > scroll down and tap Block Caller
Android:
- Open the Messages app
- Touch and hold the conversation you want to report
- Tap Block > Report spam > OK
Many people recognize spam messages, block the contact, delete the message and move on with their day. And while this practice removes them from your life, it doesn’t protect others or make a dent in the operation.
It’s important to report these contacts and their numbers to protect yourself and others. When multiple people report a text message scam, the mobile service provider is more likely to block the number or interrupt the scam operation on a large scale.
When it comes to online and mobile security, users’ collective efforts are essential to combating fraudulent activities, something that none of us can do on our own.
To live a safe, scam-free life, make sure to read up on the latest in text message scams and mobile security and report fraudulent activity whenever you come across it.
Text Message Scams FAQ
Check out these answers to common questions about scam text messages.
Should You Block or Delete Spam Text Messages?
It’s beneficial to do both. Block the number to prevent future messages, then delete the text to avoid accidentally clicking the links later.
Can Scammers Hack Your Phone Through Text Messages?
Yes. If you click on malicious links or download attachments, hackers can access your phone. Simply receiving or viewing a message without interacting with it is generally safe.
What Happens if I Accidentally Open a Spam Text Message?
Opening a message alone is usually safe. The real danger comes from clicking links, downloading attachments or replying with personal information.
Secure Your Devices With Panda Security
With text message scams and smishing scams on the rise, it’s critical to be on guard and know the warning signs of fake texts. Using your best judgment and learning the telltale signs of a potential scam can help you spot a threat before it has the chance to do any damage. To secure all of your devices and further safeguard your data, Panda Security’s free antivirus is a great place to start.