12 Text Message Scams To Be Aware Of

Key Takeaways: 

• Text message scams often consist of a scammer pretending to be a real person or company and asking for money or personal information.

• Common scams include fake package deliveries, lottery scams, fake fraud alerts, imposter scams, and more. 

• Avoid responding to suspicious messages or clicking on unknown links, and trust your gut when something feels off.

For many people, text messages have become the number one way to communicate with friends and family. Texting is quick, convenient, and accessible to anyone with a phone, tablet, or even some computers. But like with any online tool, texting has also become a hotspot for spammers and scammers to send you unwanted messages. 

In February of 2025 alone, it was reported that Americans received 19.2 billion spam text messages. Americans reported $470 million in losses from text message scams in 2024. 

Due to the ease with which spammers can contact you over text, it’s a good idea to be aware of common text message scams. This way, you’ll know what to look out for and can avoid falling victim to scam tactics. 

12 Examples of Text Message Scams

Here’s an in-depth look at some common types of text message scams: 

1. Fake Package Delivery Scams

The Federal Trade Commission reported that fake package delivery scams were the most common type of scam in 2024. These scams happen when a scammer impersonating a shipping company (often impersonating familiar names like USPS) texts you, saying that there’s a problem with the delivery of your package. 

They will ask for a fee or confirmation of address to re-ship it to you. Often, the text will include a link to a form where you provide these details. 

2. Smishing

Smishing (a variation of phishing) refers to text scams that try to get you to reveal personal information like your email, credit card number, or address. Smishers will impersonate a real person or company in their message. They may even include a reason for asking for that information, like an overdue payment. 

3. Imposter Scams

Similar to smishing are imposter scams. This is when the scammer pretends to be a friend, family member, governmental organization, or company and asks for money or personal information. 

4. Malware Scams

Scammers might send you a link to click or a file to download containing malware. Malware is a type of software designed to compromise and/or damage your device. This includes viruses, ransomware, spyware, and more. 

5. Lottery Scams

This category refers to scam texts claiming you’ve won a prize or wanting you to enter a contest. They may charge you an entry fee to have a chance to win money or ask for your bank details so they can send your prize money. Of course, no real money ever comes your way, and the scammer always disappears after they get what they want. 

6. Fake Fraud Alerts

In this scam, a scammer will send you a text asking you to confirm a major purchase you didn’t make or warning you of an attempted fraud charge on your credit card. These texts often have an urgent tone, telling you that if you don’t call their help line or reroute your money to an account of their choosing, you’ll lose everything. 

7. Unpaid Tolls

Another type of scam is when you receive a message telling you to pay an unpaid or overdue toll charge. Since many people drive on toll roads, these may be convincing. The scammer will claim to be from a real highway toll program and ask for money. 

8. Wrong Number 

If you’ve ever received a “hello” text from out of the blue, it may have been a scammer trying to lure you in. If you respond by telling them they have the wrong number, they may try to strike up a friendship with you, entrap you in a fraudulent investment scheme, or attempt to romantically win you over until you send money or personal information. 

9. Fake Job Opportunity

In 2024, the FTC reported a rise in the popularity of job opportunity scams. Scammers will pretend to offer you a job where you complete repetitive tasks (like reviewing online products). Then, they’ll ask for a deposit to finish your tasks so they can pay you. You guessed it: they never send you any money. 

10. Debt and IRS Scams

Scammers commonly impersonate the IRS because it’s a known governmental organization that collects taxes and money. The consequences are also very real if you avoid paying the IRS. 

Scammers take advantage of this and pretend to be the IRS or another company you’re supposedly indebted to. They will claim they need to collect the fee or overdue amount from you immediately. 

11. Romance Scams

Both people you meet in person and online can be the perpetrators of romance text scams. These scams occur when someone pretends to be romantically interested in you, then convinces or guilts you into sending them money or personal information. 

12. Charity Scams

Scammers will pose as real charities and ask you to donate money to their cause. Once you donate, they disappear with your money. 

How To Identify Scam Text Messages

Now that you know a variety of scam text messages, it’s time to get into how to identify that you’ve received one. By design, many of these scam texts are meant to look like real texts. Of course, you don’t want to accidentally ignore a real text because you think it’s a scam. So, how can you tell the difference? 

Here are some common signs of text message scams: 

• Poor spelling and grammar: If the text is full of spelling and grammar mistakes, it’s probably not from a real company. Look for misspelled company names and links to websites that end in something other than .com, .gov, .org, and .edu. 

• An urgent call to action: If the text is pressuring you to send money or follow their instructions immediately, it’s probably a scam. 

• Threats: Real companies and government agencies won’t threaten you over text. 

• Requests for personal information: Most real companies won’t ask you to give out your personal information. They’ll either have it on file already or can have you come in to give the details in person. There are some exceptions. 

• Too good to be true: A random text claiming you won thousands of dollars is probably not real. 

• Feels suspicious: Always trust your gut. If a text feels suspicious, there’s probably a good reason why it does. 

How To Deal With Scam Text Messages

If you do receive a scam text, here’s how to handle the situation: 

• Don’t click on links or download files. In general, avoid replying. 

• Confirm the identity of the texter by calling the real company phone number.

• Confirm the text is fake by checking on your real packages, toll charges, debts, etc. 

• Never give out personal information via text. 

• Block and report the number. 

• You can forward scam texts to this CTIA number: 7726 (SPAM)

• You can report scam texts on Apple and Android devices.

• You can report any and all fraud to the FTC. 

How Can a Second Phone Number Help With Scams?

A smart privacy strategy to help avoid text scams is getting a second phone number app like Burner. You can get a custom phone number and use that in place of your real number. Any time you create an online account, give your number to someone you don’t know well, shop online, use social media, etc. use your Burner phone number. 

One of the most common ways hackers and scammers get access to your phone number (and then send scam texts) is through the number of times your number appears online. The more your real number appears online, the more likely it is to fall into the hands of a scammer. 

But by giving out your Burner number, you protect your real number from those prying eyes. Burner also comes with built-in spam-blocking filters, helping minimize the number of scam texts you receive. 

FAQs

Should you delete suspicious texts? 

The best practice is to report the text—both to the FTC and through your device’s messaging app—so there’s a record of the message. Don’t delete any text you’ve responded to, in case you need to prove what happened. 

Can someone steal my information via text message? 

They can, but you have to interact with the message by clicking on a link, downloading a file, or sending your information. 

Is it better to block or delete spam texts? 

It’s better to block the number first so they can’t contact you again. While deleting is okay, it’s always good to have a record of scam texts in case you need evidence. 

Stay Alert and Aware

You now have a good idea of the varieties of scam text messages to look out for. But regardless of whether the scam text you receive is on this list or not, the important thing to remember is to trust your judgment and keep your wits about you. 

If something feels off, it’s wise to hold off answering until you confirm the message is legit. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. 

Sources: 

Top text scams of 2024 | Federal Trade Commission

How to Protect Yourself From Financial Scams | FCAA

How to Recognize and Report Spam Text Messages | Consumer Advice

17 Spam Text Statistics for 2025 & Spam Text Messages Examples | SlickText