smishing

The 10 Latest Text Message Scams to Avoid in 2025

/in /by

Have you ever received a suspicious text message that made you pause and wonder if it was legitimate? This is called “smishing”.  

According to recent projections, financial losses from text message scams could reach a staggering $15-18 billion annually by 2025. This highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and stronger preventive measures. In this blog post, we will explore the ten most recent text message scams to be aware of in 2025, along with practical tips on how to safeguard against them. 

But first, let’s talk more about smishing.  

What is Smishing? 

Smishing, short for “SMS phishing,” is a type of cybercrime that uses deceptive text messages to manipulate victims into divulging sensitive personal information such as bank account details, credit card numbers, and login credentials. Just like phishing emails, the goal of smishing is to trick individuals into revealing private information that can be used for identity theft, financial theft, or other fraudulent activities. 

How Does Smishing Work? 

Smishing attacks typically involve sending persuasive messages that appear to come from legitimate sources, such as banks, delivery services, or government agencies. These messages often create a sense of urgency or fear, prompting recipients to click on a link or provide personal information. The link usually leads to a fake website designed to steal the victim’s data. 

Here are 10 latest examples of the Smishing Scams that you should pay attention to: 

1. AI-Powered Phishing Scams 

Scammers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to create more convincing and natural-sounding phishing messages. These messages often mimic legitimate organizations and can be difficult to distinguish from real communications. In this type of scam, you will rarely or not see any grammatical or spelling errors. The only indication to look out for are the links that they attach to the message. If the links do not look like from the legit source, immediately report and delete. Do not click on the link.  

2. Fake Toll Payment Requests  

Scammers pose as toll collection services, sending messages claiming you owe money for unpaid tolls. These messages often include a link to a fake payment site. 

3. Imposter Scams  

Imposters pretend to be friends, relatives, or representatives from trusted organizations. They may ask for money or personal information, often creating a sense of urgency to prompt quick action.  

4. Employment Scams  

Fake job offers and recruitment pitches are sent via text, promising high-paying jobs or easy money. These scams often ask for personal information or upfront fees. 

5. Delivery Scams  

Messages claiming to be from delivery services like FedEx or UPS notify you of a package that couldn’t be delivered. They include a link to reschedule delivery, which leads to a phishing site. Sometimes, they attach a picture in their message. Do not click on the image, they will also redirect you to a phishing link.  

6. Banking Scams  

Scammers send messages pretending to be from your bank, alerting you to suspicious activity on your account. They ask you to verify your account details via a provided link. 

7. Prize and Lottery Scams  

You receive a message claiming you’ve won a prize or lottery. To claim it, you’re asked to provide personal information or pay a fee. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t trust too easily.  

8. Tech Support Scams  

Messages claim to be from tech support, warning you of a virus or security issue on your device. They provide a link to a fake support site or ask you to call a number. 

9. Charity Scams  

Scammers exploit your goodwill by sending messages asking for donations to fake charities, often after natural disasters or other crises. 

10. Subscription Renewal Scams  

Messages claim your subscription to a service (like Netflix or Spotify) is about to expire. They include a link to renew, which leads to a phishing sites. 

How to Protect Yourself: 

  • Don’t click on links in unsolicited messages. 
  • Verify the sender by contacting the organization directly using a known phone number or website. 
  • Always use MFA or 2FA.  
  • Report suspicious messages to your mobile carrier or the appropriate authorities. 

As technology continues to evolve, so do the tactics used by scammers. Smishing, or SMS phishing, is a growing threat that exploits the convenience and immediacy of text messaging to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive information. By staying informed about the latest text message scams and understanding how they operate, you can better protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to these fraudulent schemes. 

Key Takeaways: 

  • Awareness is crucial: Recognize the signs of smishing and be cautious of unsolicited messages that create a sense of urgency or fear. 
  • Verification is essential: Always verify the sender by contacting the organization directly using a known phone number or website. 
  • Security measures: Utilize security software on your devices to detect and block potential threats. 
  • Reporting: Report suspicious messages to your mobile carrier or the appropriate authorities to help prevent others from being targeted. 
  • Educate your loved ones.  

By implementing these preventive measures and staying vigilant, you can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a victim of text message scams. Remember, it’s always better to be cautious and verify the authenticity of any suspicious message before taking any action.

Stay informed, stay safe, and help spread awareness to protect others from these evolving scams.