Nowadays, our phones are constantly flooded with notifications and it is becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish between legitimate messages and potential scams. Invoice from Mesa, Arizona, recently shared an experience that highlights this growing concern:
“Twice in the last week I received text messages supposedly sent elsewhere. The last one asked me if I was ‘available tomorrow night’. I didn’t recognize the number, but I’m active at a senior park, so I’ve gotten a lot of calls and texts from unknown numbers. I responded that my wife thought we were available. A few minutes later, I received a text message asking if I was Ms. Amy. I sent her a text saying I wasn’t Ms. Amy and never had been, but it was a problem.
“I got a text message thanking me for being so polite and the sender’s appreciation for polite people and if I was ever in Los Angeles, I would be welcome to a backyard barbecue. Looking back, there were a couple more text messages that ended with ‘Like’. make friends with educated people. The first text I deleted had a very comparable tone and format. Is this a scam and why and for what?
The Invoice experience is not unique. Many people receive similar messages that seem harmless at first glance but could be part of a more sinister plan. Let’s dive into the world of text message scams and learn how to protect ourselves.
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A man texting on his phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
The Anatomy of a Text Message Scam
Text message scams, also known as “smiling” a combination of SMS and phishing, have become increasingly sophisticated. Scammers use various tactics to lure potential victims and gain their trust. Here are some common elements:
Unknown numbers: The message comes from a number you do not recognize. For example, you receive a text message from +1-555-123-4567, a number that is not in your contacts.
Unsolicited contact: The text arrives unexpectedly, often with a friendly or urgent tone. Example: “Hey! Long time no see. How have you been?”
Private touch: The scammer might use your name or reference a common activity to appear legitimate. Example: “Hi Sarah, this is Mike from the reading club. Will you come to the meeting next week?”
Too good to be true: Offers of prizes, invitations or other attractive proposals are common. Example: “Congratulations! You’ve won a $500 gift card. Click here to claim your prize!”
Information requests: The scammer may request personal data, either directly or indirectly. Example: “This is your bank. We need to verify your account. Please respond with your account number and PIN.”
Remember, these are all examples of possible scams. Always be careful when receiving unexpected messages, especially those that request private information or contain suspicious links.
A person texting on the phone. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Understand the scammer’s strategy
In the case of Invoice, the scammer employed a “long haul” strategy. By engaging in friendly conversations and offering invitations, the scammer aims to build trust over time. The final objective could be:
Phishing to obtain information: Little by little, personal data is collected that can be used for identity theft.
Malware distribution: Finally, it sends a link that, when clicked, installs malicious software on your device.
Financial scams: Build trust to eventually request money or financial information.
A person texting on the phone. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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How to identify suspicious texts
To protect yourself from text message scams, follow these steps:
- Check the sender: Look at the full email address or phone number, not just the display name.
- Analyze the content: Be wary of messages with urgent subject lines, grammatical errors, or strange URLs.
- Independently verify: If the message claims to be from a known entity, contact them through official channels to confirm.
- Trust your instincts: If something feels wrong, it probably is. Don’t let politeness override your judgment.
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A man texting on his phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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What to do if you suspect a scam
If you think you received a scam text message, here are six steps to follow:
1. No answers: Avoid interacting with the scammer to avoid future attempts.
2. Block the number: Use your phone’s built-in blocking features to prevent further contact.
- For iPhone: Open the messagetouch the sender name oh numberselect “Information,” so “Block caller“.
- For androids: Open the messagehold down the conversationtouch the three point menu and select “Block” or “Block and report spam.” You may be asked to confirm your decision by clicking Yeah. YesSettings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone.
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3. Report the message: Forward the suspicious text to 7726 (SPAM). Also, report it directly to the FTC at Report fraud.ftc.gov.
4. Keep your information secure: Never click on links or provide private information in response to unsolicited text messages.
5. Have powerful antivirus software: Install and run powerful antivirus apps on your phone to scan for malware and ensure your device is safe. The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware and potentially access your private information is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your private information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best antivirus protection winners of 2025 for your Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
6. Invest in personal data removal services: Consider using a data removal service to remove your private information from data broker sites. These services can help reduce spam, lower the risk of identity theft, and clean up your online presence by automating the removal of your data from hundreds of data broker sites.
While no service promises to delete all of your data from the Web, having a deletion service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of deleting your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.
Kurt’s Key Takeaways
While it’s natural to want to be polite, as Invoice was, remember that your security and private information are paramount. Trust your instincts, check unknown contacts, and never hesitate to ignore or block suspicious messages. Remember, a true friend won’t mind if you take extra steps to verify their identity, and a legitimate organization will have official channels of communication.
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How have you or someone you know been affected by text message scams and what steps did you take to protect yourself? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact
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