Spam text messages trick consumers into providing personal data to criminals who pose as a familiar business, organization, or family member. Spam text messages are also known as smishing or phishing texts. They exist to take advantage of unsuspecting people, often leveraging fear and urgency to convince them to respond. People receive spam text messages if they previously responded to an online survey or giveaway or given their phone number on social media websites. You may also be getting these messages because someone you know is a victim of identity theft.
It is essential to be aware of spam text messages and not to respond or click on any links provided in the message. The best way to deal with spam text messages is to ignore them, delete them, and block the contact from sending you additional notifications. Reviewing spam text message examples and understanding how they work will help avoid falling victim to these dangerous schemes. Listed below are ten examples of spam text messages.
- The IRS is trying to reach you
- You have a refund
- You have a package delivery. Please verify
- You have a new billing statement
- Congratulations, You won!
- Verify your bank account details
- Verify your Apple iCloud ID
- A family member needs some help
- Reactivate your account
- Receive your Bitcoin Gift
1. The IRS is Trying to Reach You
Never expect to receive a text, call, or email from the IRS. Any communication sent by official government organizations such as the Internal Revenue Service will come via mail or certified letter. Many people have fallen for this type of spam text, and it is never advised to respond to text messages claiming to be from government entities. Some examples of spam text messages using the IRS modus are:
- The IRS is trying to reach you regarding a tax refund. Please call us at (phone number) to claim it.
- Hurry – your IRS tax refund is ready to be accepted! You only have 24 hours, so click below: [link]. Take advantage of this fantastic opportunity for extra cash – act now and receive your IRS tax refund today!
2. You Have a Refund
Beware of refund and overpayment scams attempting to deceive you into believing they owe you money. All it takes is one click on a phishing link; your details, such as email addresses, bank account numbers, and more, will be at risk. Don’t fall for these malicious schemes; stay informed about the dangers of these scams. Some examples of refund and overpayment spam text messages include:
- You have an overdue tax refund of $1,000 waiting to be claimed! Click the link below to get started now:
- Our records indicate that you have overpaid for (a product or service). Please provide us with your bank routing and account number to expedite your refund.
3. You have a package delivery. Please verify
As deliveries from Amazon and FedEx have become the norm, a text message regarding a package or order is expected. Therefore, legitimate shipping update texts can quickly fly under our radar. Shippers never ask for personal information or money with these updates; they alert us of delivery developments. Some examples of spam messages involving package deliveries are:
- We have a package for you. Click this link to confirm your delivery address: [Link]
- [Name], we have recently discovered an awaiting package from [a recent month] that belongs to you! You can quickly claim ownership and confirm its delivery by accessing this link: [link].
4. You have a new billing statement
Getting text notifications from your service provider about processed, pending, or upcoming invoices is typical. But how can you be sure these texts are reliable without going through the verification process? Criminals use this tactic to lure victims into disclosing personal and financial data. One example of a billing statement spam text is:
- Your new billing statement for April is now available online. To view your statement and make a payment, please follow the link below: [link]
- Greetings [Name], your AT&T billing invoice is ready for review. To avoid an extra fee, please pay by the specified date: [link]. Thank you!
5. Congratulations, You won!
Receiving an unexpected award is always a delightful surprise. However, if you are notified of winning a contest through text message with no prior knowledge or participation, then it’s time to raise your suspicions. Whenever feelings of uncertainty about the integrity of an offer arise, reach out to the company directly to ensure authenticity. Some examples of spam texts regarding winning imaginary contests are:
- Congratulations! You’ve won a free iPhone 12. To claim your prize, please follow the link below: [link]
- You have been chosen to receive a one-time $500 shopping voucher! Click [link] to redeem your offer now.
6. Verify your bank account details
Recent frauds in the name of renowned banking firms, such as Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase, have caused immense customer damage by compromising their financial data. Remembering that a legitimate business will only seek your confidential personal or fiscal info over text messages is critical. So if you receive an unexpected verification SMS from your bank, it’s most likely malicious!
Be careful of fraud alerts, as scammers often use them to exploit your sentiments. While you may think that activating these alert services is a way to protect yourself from potential financial loss, it gives these malicious actors the details needed to gain access and steal away all your money. Here are some examples of bank spam texts:
- Your Wells Fargo account has been temporarily locked due to possible suspicious activity. Please log in here and promptly verify your information for security purposes.
- [Name], did you recently apply for a loan? Please verify your bank account details here: [Link]
7. Verify your Apple iCloud ID
Unsolicited texts with requests to verify an Apple ID are becoming increasingly more common as cybercriminals spread scams through social engineering techniques. The goal is to trick users into giving away their usernames and password by clicking on the link in the text, unknowingly revealing all of their personal information. An example of an iCloud ID spam text is:
- Your Apple ID has been identified as a possible security breach. To protect your account, please verify your Apple ID and password here: [link]
- Confirm your identity with Apple by clicking this link:[link]. Thank you!
8. A family member needs some help
One of the most alarming spam text messages makes you think a loved one needs urgent financial assistance. By pretending to be someone else, they try and persuade you into wiring money due to an alleged medical crisis or abduction situation involving your relative. Such malicious attempts are deceptive and can cause significant distress and even panic among family members who have no clue it’s only a scam.
Exercise caution and reach out to the family member before taking action. Contacting relevant authorities before dispatching financial aid would be prudent for emergencies. Here are some examples:
- This is an emergency. Your brother needs help. He has been taken hostage, and the ransom to free him is $2,000. Wire money ASAP
- Your mother was in a car accident. She requires immediate medical attention. Please send money via Western Union to [Name]
9. Reactivate your account
This type of spam text message is sent by malicious actors who pretend to be a legitimate company or service provider and ask you to reconnect your account. It usually includes a link that looks like it’s from the original business but leads you to an illegitimate website designed to steal personal data. The key here is to not fall for the trick, as it can give these fraudsters access to your identity and finances.
For example, a fake text message may tell you to reactivate your credit card or online banking account:
- We noticed some unusual activity on your bank card. Please reactivate your account here [link]
- Your Amazon account has been suspended. Please click here to reactivate your account now.
10. Receive your Bitcoin Gift
This is a common scam that has been around for a while, as it typically targets those who need to be better versed in cryptocurrency. Scammers send persuasive messages with monetary incentives, such as “you have been gifted Bitcoin” or “you have won a cryptocurrency contest.” Then they ask you to download an app and enter your personal information in exchange for the reward. Do not fall into this trap — it’s a desperate attempt to steal your identity and money.
To spot a Bitcoin spam text message, look out for phrases like:
- Congratulations, you have been gifted 0.5 BTC. Click here to claim it now!
- You have won a Bitcoin contest! Click here to receive your prize.
What is a Spam Text message?
Spam text messages are unsolicited and unwanted SMS received on your device. They are usually sent in bulk and contain fraudulent offers, phishing attempts, or malicious links to websites that can harm your security and privacy. Spam texts typically come from computers and are sent to mobile devices using a messaging account. Scammers can quickly and cheaply send spam messages in bulk to randomly chosen or automatically generated numbers.
Most spam is harmless and easy to filter but some can be malicious. Spammers may be attempting to acquire your personal information through phishing or scamming you in various forms – from spoofed phone calls with unknown numbers to flooding our inboxes with unwanted emails. Even though they don’t spread computer viruses and malware, let’s not take this digital threat lightly.
People that fall victim to these scams risk giving away their personal information, such as passwords and bank account details, by clicking on the link in the text, unknowingly revealing all of their data.
Why do Spam Text Message Exist?
Spam text messages exist to make money for spammers by tricking people into providing personal or financial data. Regardless of whether you have a brand-new number or an old one, the reality is that scammers don’t discriminate – if they generate your phone number randomly, then spam texts can still reach you. Are you trying to figure out why those pesky unwelcome messages keep showing up on your phone?
There are several reasons this could be happening:
- You submitted a form in exchange for something, participated in an online drawing, or provided your phone number online. Regardless of the method you use or the site’s reliability, your telephone number could still end up in questionable hands and lead to unwanted spam.
- A social media platform has sold your data. Even the most popular of these platforms have become notorious for collecting and utilizing user information, so this should be no surprise. Moreover, these companies transmit that data to advertisers. If your cell phone number is accessible on social media websites, the chance of it being circulated through marketing databases for spammers’ use becomes high.
- You dialed 800, 888, or 900 recently. When you dial a number in the United States, your phone number is saved by an Automatic Number Identification (ANI) system, which then uncovers more of your accessible digital data. It means ANI can access even more information about you than just your telephone number.
- You answered another massed-sent text. Even if you do it unknowingly, accidentally giving out your phone number can make you a viable target for sending spam texts. It not only causes an influx of unsolicited SMS messages but also puts your personal information at risk by enabling spammers and scammers to buy or sell it.
Many people do these everyday activities with the digital world at their fingertips. Awareness and attention are necessary to avert unintentionally giving away your personal information. The more knowledgeable you become on how effortless it is for hackers to get access to your phone number, the easier it will be for you to protect yourself from such incidents. Read more about How to Prevent Smishing to understand more about scam text messages.
How to Deal with Spam Text Messages?
There are easy ways safely deal with unwanted spam text messages. Protect yourself from online scammers and their malicious spam by never responding to them, reporting any you receive, or installing a third-party app that filters out these messages. Also, permanently block anyone contacting you with a suspicious phone number. Doing so will help keep your digital space safe and secure.
- Don’t Respond. Wait to reply if you believe a text might be from an untrustworthy source. Doing this confirms that your phone number is active and will only result in even more messages!
- Keep your phone safe and secure by blocking unwelcome numbers. Scammers often send messages using various names and contact info, but proactively blocking suspicious texts can help thwart their attempts.
- NEVER click links in a text message you didn’t request. Unsolicited links can disguise malware that steals your personal and financial information, so it’s best to avoid them altogether.
- Invest in an anti-spam application to immediately quell text scams and telemarketer calls. Numerous spam blockers are available on the market, so you can rest assured that your device will be well-protected.
How to Block Spam Text Messages on Android?
It is easy to block unwanted spam text messages on Android phones. The steps are:
To block a text message from an individual, open your messaging application and locate the desired thread. Press down on it and select the Block icon (if necessary, you may have to press Options [three dots] > Block). With that simple action, future notifications will be blocked!
Select the Report Spam option, then hit OK for confirmation.
Please note that the navigation may vary depending on your Android device. Fortunately, most Android phones can activate anti-spam protection for calls and texts through their settings options.
How to Block Spam Text Messages on iPhone?
Protect yourself from future spam and phishing attempts by blocking unwanted iPhone text messages with a few easy steps. Here’s how to effortlessly filter spam texts on your iPhone:
- Access the spam text message, select the name of its sender, and then tap on the Info icon at the top of your display.
- To block this caller, select the “Block this Caller” option.
If you’re tired of receiving spam texts, set your iPhone to filter them out automatically! Here’s how to do it:
- To customize Messages on your iPhone, navigate to Settings and select the Messages option.
- Flip the switch on Filter Unknown Senders in your Message Filtering options to activate it. Subsequently, any messages you receive from unidentified accounts will be collected separately for a more organized inbox.
Do I need to Worry After Receiving Spam Text Messages?
No. You do not need to worry if you did not respond to the spam text message you received. Handling spam text properly will ensure that you do not fall victim to the malicious activities of hackers. Protect yourself by never responding to spam messages, reporting any you receive, and installing a third-party app that filters out these texts. Also, permanently block anyone contacting you with a suspicious phone number and report any spam messages you receive to the proper authorities. Doing so will help keep your digital space safe and secure. If you have further questions about spam text messages, contact your local device provider or internet security expert for assistance.
Do Spam Text Messages Contain Clickable Links?
Yes. Most spam text messages contain clickable links in the form of URLs or phone numbers. Clicking on these links can be dangerous as they may lead to malicious websites with malware, spyware, and other viruses intended to steal personal information from your device. Do not click if you receive a spam text with a clickable link. Reporting and deleting the message immediately is best to avoid accidental clicks.
Can I SMS Bomb the Spam Text Message Sender?
No. Sending multiple messages or sms bombing to a spam message sender does not block their account or stop them from sending any more unwanted texts. It is illegal and can result in criminal charges depending on where you live. You should never try to retaliate against a spam text sender, as it could cause more harm than good. The best way to deal with spam text messages is to report them, block the sender’s number, and install a third-party app that filters out these texts. Read more about What is SMS Bomber to understand how it works.