Don’t Tap That Link! How to Spot the 5 Most Common Text Scams
Your phone buzzes. It’s a text about a package you’re expecting or an alert from your bank. You’re about to tap the link, but something feels… off.
We’ve all been there. Text message scams, also known as “smishing,” are more common and clever than ever. Scammers are experts at creating a sense of urgency to make you act before you think. But after reading this blog you will know their tricks, they become much easier to spot.
Here in Michigan and across the country, these are the top 5 text scams hitting phones right now. Let’s break them down and talk about next steps.
1. The Fake Package Delivery Scam
This is easily the most common scam. It preys on the fact that almost everyone is waiting for a package.
- How It Works: You get a text claiming to be from USPS, UPS, FedEx, or Amazon about a problem with a delivery. It will urge you to click a link to reschedule, update your address, or pay a small “redelivery fee.”
- The Goal: The fake website will steal your address, personal details, and credit card information.
- Red Flags:
- The link is a strange jumble of letters and numbers, not usps.com or amazon.com.
- It asks for a small payment for a package you didn’t know had a fee.
- The message has spelling or grammar mistakes.
- The link also isn’t .com it’s something different.
Example Scam Text:
USPS: Your package 1z93492 could not be delivered due to an incomplete address. Please update your information at: [suspicious-link].info
2. The Urgent Bank Fraud Alert
This scam uses fear to get you to act fast. Nothing causes panic quite like a message about your money being at risk.
- How It Works: You receive a text, supposedly from your bank (like Chase, Bank of America, or a local credit union), warning of “suspicious activity” on your account. It instructs you to click a link to verify your identity or unfreeze your account.
- The Goal: The fake login page will capture your username and password, giving scammers full access to your bank account.
- Red Flags:
- It uses a generic greeting like “Dear Customer.” Your bank knows your name.
- It threatens to lock or close your account if you don’t act immediately.
- The link doesn’t go to your bank’s official website. Make sure you are double checking your bank’s website and then looking at the link that was sent because they will look very similar.
Example Scam Text:
CITI-ALERT: Suspicious activity was detected on your account. Please login immediately via [fake-bank-url].ws to secure your account.
3. The “You’ve Won a Prize!” Scam
The oldest trick in the book has a new digital life. This scam plays on the excitement of winning something for free.
- How It Works: You get a text congratulating you for winning a gift card, a new phone, or another prize from a well-known store like Walmart, Target, or your mobile provider (e.g., AT&T, Verizon). All you have to do is click a link to claim it.
- The Goal: To get you to enter personal information or pay a “shipping fee,” which just steals your credit card details.
- Red Flags:
- You didn’t enter any contest to win the prize.
- It asks for a payment to receive a “free” gift.
- The offer seems way too good to be true (because it is).
Example Scam Text:
T-Mobile: Congrats! Your phone number was selected to receive a free iPhone 15. Claim it before we give it to someone else: [too-good-to-be-true].net
4. The “Wrong Number” or Accidental Text Scam
This one is much more subtle. It starts innocently and builds trust before the scam is revealed.
- How It Works: You get a text from an unknown number that seems like it was meant for someone else, often with a friendly photo attached. (“Hey, is this Sarah? It’s Jessica from the other night.”) When you reply “wrong number,” they strike up a conversation, eventually pivoting to a “great investment opportunity,” usually involving cryptocurrency.
- The Goal: To build a fake personal connection and trick you into sending them money for a bogus investment.
- Red Flags:
- An overly friendly stranger keeps texting you after you say “wrong number.”
- They quickly turn the conversation toward money, business, or investing.
- Their profile picture looks like a stock photo or model.
Example Scam Text:
Hey Maria, just landed in LA! Can’t wait to see you tomorrow. It’s Jessica! [Attached photo of an attractive person]
5. The Overdue Bill or Subscription Scam
This scam targets services you likely use every day, like Netflix, or essential utilities like Consumers Energy or the Board of Water & Light.
- How It Works: You get an urgent message stating your account is overdue or your subscription has been canceled. It provides a convenient link to update your payment information.
- The Goal: To steal your login credentials and payment details.
- Red Flags:
- You can log into the service separately (by opening the app or typing the official website yourself) and see that your account is fine.
- The link in the text is not the official URL.
- The message creates a false sense of panic about losing service.
Example Scam Text:
NETFLIX: Your recent payment was declined. To keep your service active, please update your details here: [not-netflix].com/billing
You Got a Scam Text. Now What?
Don’t panic! The power is in your hands. Just follow these three simple steps.
- DO NOT Click the Link. DO NOT Reply. Replying, even with “STOP,” just confirms your number is active, which can lead to more scam texts.
- DELETE the Text and BLOCK the Number. This prevents them from contacting you again.
- VERIFY Independently. If the message worries you, contact the company directly. Go to the official website by typing the address yourself, use the official app, or call the number on the back of your card. Never use the contact information provided in the text message.
- Report the Scam. You can report the scam text directly to your cell phone carrier. How do you do this? Copy the entire message and then send it to 7726 (which spells SPAM). It’s a free service and it helps the carriers identify and then block scam numbers.
Stay vigilant, trust your gut, and when in doubt, just delete it.