{"id":33855,"date":"2025-05-09T09:13:10","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T15:13:10","guid":{"rendered":"https://www.webroot.com/blog/?p=33855"},"modified":"2025-07-09T08:09:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T14:09:09","slug":"mobile-security-matters-protecting-your-phone-from-text-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https://www.webroot.com/blog/2025\/05\/09\/mobile-security-matters-protecting-your-phone-from-text-scams\/","title":{"rendered":"Mobile security matters: Protecting your phone from text scams"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It all starts so innocently. You get a text saying \u201cYour package couldn\u2019t be delivered. Click here to reschedule.\u201d<\/em>  Little do you know, clicking that link could open the door for scammers to steal your identity, empty your bank account, or even plant malicious software<\/a> (malware) on your device. Unless you know what to look out for, one little tap on the wrong text could cost you money and peace of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Text scams, also known as\u00a0smishing<\/a>\u00a0(SMS + phishing<\/a>), are on the rise. These fraudulent\u00a0 messages are sent by cybercriminals and are showing up more often and getting harder to spot. The goal is to get you to give up sensitive personal details that can be used to hack into your accounts, and they are alarmingly successful. The Federal Trade Commission reports that in 2024, consumers lost $470 million<\/a> to scams that started with text messages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch out for these common scams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Package delivery alerts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Package delivery alerts are the most common text scam. They often impersonate trusted delivery services like UPS, FedEx, and USPS. They claim there\u2019s a delivery problem, then try to trick you into acting quickly by creating a sense of urgency. Because so many of us shop online and have packages delivered regularly, this is a scam that\u2019s easy to fall for. Instead of clicking a link in a suspicious text, go directly to the delivery service\u2019s website and enter your tracking number manually.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip<\/em><\/strong>: <\/em>Messages like \u201cClick now to avoid fees\u201d are a red flag that you should make you think twice.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Screenshot<\/a>
Photo credit: TextMagic<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Unpaid toll alerts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These scams claim you have an overdue toll charge<\/a> and demand that you click a link to make a payment or you\u2019ll be hit with late charges. Don\u2019t do it! These scammers are trying to gather personal data like your driver\u2019s license number and credit card information so they can steal from you. Remember, fake texts are often sent from phone numbers or email addresses you do not recognize, so never click on a link sent from an unknown number.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Mobile<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Bank account alerts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These scams look like they\u2019re from your bank and claim there\u2019s an issue with your funds.  You\u2019re asked for sensitive information like bank logins and passwords, which can be used to drain your bank account. They direct you to click a fake link or call a phony number to resolve it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tip:<\/em><\/strong> <\/strong>Most major banks, including Chase, Wells Fargo and Bank of America, will never ask for personal or account information via text.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Mobile<\/a>
Photo credit: Wells Fargo<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Wrong number texts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wrong number texts<\/a> are designed to seem like a legitimate accident. They start with a simple text like \u201cHi Mary, are we still on for Thursday?\u201d and you respond \u201cSorry, wrong number.\u201d The unknown person then tries to start up a friendly conversation, with the goal of establishing a connection and sometimes even cultivating a romantic relationship. It\u2019s common for these cybercriminals to try and con you into a fraudulent investment like a cryptocurrency scam<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Text<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Task scams<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Task scams are fake job opportunities. You get a text promising online work with lucrative pay and flexibility. The offer may entail fun tasks like getting paid to shop, but the purpose is to lure you into sharing personal information like your social security number, which can be used to steal your identity. As always, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Text<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Prize or gift card scams<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s easy to feel lucky if you get a text claiming you\u2019ve won a prize, a gift card or other type of reward. Sadly, many people fall for this type of fraud<\/a>. These messages appear to be from legitimate retailers like Amazon, Walmart or Target. They say things like \u201cYou\u2019ve been selected for a $100 gift card!\u201d and tell you to click a link to claim your prize. These scams often work because they generate a sense of excitement and urgency, but they\u2019re just another way to trick you into clicking and entering personal or payment information. In reality, there\u2019s no prize – just a phishing site or malware ready to steal your data.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Screenshot<\/a>
Photo credit: TextMagic<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Mobile security checklist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most of us use our phones for everything – banking, shopping, messaging, and storing personal information. That makes them a treasure trove of sensitive data and a high-value target for cyberthieves. Here are some tips to help you strengthen your mobile security against text scams and other types of fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n