In our highly interconnected world, digital threats are constantly evolving, and SMS scams are becoming increasingly complex and widespread. Although we are accustomed to detecting spam emails, cybercriminals are now targeting our message inbox with astonishing frequency. According to SlickText and the Federal Trade Commission, since March 2024, Americans have received an astonishing 19.2 billion spam emails, resulting in a loss of $10 billion for these “defamatory” scams in 2023.
Forget the poorly worded messages of the past; today’s scam texts are meticulously crafted to appear genuine, using advanced methods to bypass our defenses. Fraud expert Dawn Sarno from Clemson University explains that these scams often impersonate reputable companies to trick you into revealing personal information, sometimes using real logos, creating a sense of urgency, or offering unbelievable deals. Even cybersecurity professionals are sometimes fooled by their convincing nature.
So, how do we navigate this treacherous landscape where digital trust is under constant assault? The key lies in understanding the enemy’s tactics and recognizing the telltale signs that a message isn’t what it seems. To arm ourselves against these digital predators, we’ve consulted with experts like Sarno and Rachel Tobac, a hacking expert and CEO of SocialProof Security. Together, they help us identify 2024’s most common scam texts and offer essential insights to keep us safe in an era where our phones are increasingly becoming the front lines of cyber warfare. Let’s delve into the specific threats that are currently making the rounds.
1. **Bank Text Scams**
Receiving a text about a potential problem with your bank account can trigger immediate panic. The sheer urgency and the critical need to protect your finances make these messages incredibly effective tools for scammers. In fact, bank alert scams were the most popular type of scam text in 2023, exploiting our financial anxieties, as reported by SlickText.
These scams operate by impersonating your bank, an institution that commands inherent authority and trust. They skillfully craft a narrative of impending financial trouble, creating an intense sense of urgency that pushes recipients to click a link or dial a phony number without proper scrutiny. Rachel Tobac keenly observes that “These fear-based attacks are often successful because they mimic real scenarios we have to worry about on a daily basis,” a psychological vulnerability that cybercriminals are all too eager to exploit. It’s a common and widespread tactic, with Wells Fargo text scams, for example, being particularly prevalent.
However, there’s a crucial “pro tip” that can serve as your first line of defense: reputable banks, including industry giants like Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America, explicitly state on their websites that they will *never* ask for sensitive personal information such as your online banking password, PIN, or full account details via text message. Therefore, any text making such a request is unequivocally a scam. If you receive a text that raises even a flicker of doubt, the safest course of action is always to contact your bank directly using the official phone number from their website or your banking app, never through any contact information provided in the suspicious text.
2. **USPS Text Message Scams**
Beyond financial institutions, scammers frequently target other trusted entities, and package delivery services are high on that list. Text messages purporting to be alerts about your package delivery—often impersonating the USPS, UPS, or FedEx—were another ubiquitous form of scam last year. These scams mirror the psychological tactics used in bank scams, capitalizing on our familiarity and trust in established institutions like the post office and our concern for important deliveries.
These messages often create a manufactured sense of urgency, implying that you need to take immediate action to resolve an issue with your package. They might claim a delivery is delayed, requires a fee, or that there’s an address verification problem. Alternatively, some of these texts play on anticipation, informing you that your package has been delivered, preying on your excitement to receive it, or if you didn’t order anything, leveraging your curiosity to discover what mysterious item awaits.
As Rachel Tobac articulates, “Cybercriminals pretend to be anyone that you’re likely to believe and take action on.” She adds, “If you’re used to seeing texts from delivery companies, coupons from meal-delivery services, etc., then the attacker will pretend to be from that group to trick you into clicking, divulging sensitive information, passwords, money and more.” The familiarity of the sender and the perceived importance of the message are precisely what make these scams so effective. Always track packages through official channels, not via unsolicited text links.
3. **Free Gift Text Scams**
While many scams rely on fear or urgency, the “free gift” text scam employs a more enticing, yet equally dangerous, approach: the promise of something desirable. Instead of alerting you to a problem, these messages aim to lure you in with the prospect of an unexpected reward, playing directly into the human desire for a windfall.
Dawn Sarno explains that scammers often lure targets by promising free prizes, coupons, or gift cards if they click a link in the text message, effectively distracting them. She notes that the excitement of a potential reward often makes people overlook the crucial indicators that the message is fraudulent, overshadowing their critical thinking.
This deceptive tactic proved immensely popular throughout 2023, accounting for a significant 9% of all text scams reported, according to SlickText. The allure of a “freebie” is a powerful motivator, leading many to overlook red flags like unsolicited messages, generic greetings, or suspicious-looking links. Remember, if an offer seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is, and clicking an unknown link for a promised reward is a direct pathway to compromise.
4. **Overdue Toll Charge Text Scams**
A particularly insidious and rapidly spreading scam making headlines in 2024 involves text messages about overdue toll charges. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently issued a stark consumer alert, delivering a straightforward warning: “That text about overdue toll charges is probably a scam.” This isn’t just a localized problem; the FBI has noted this scam may be “moving from state-to-state,” becoming a national viral threat.
These scam messages frequently include urgent warnings about immediate payment to avoid late fees, designed to bypass rational thought and create intense pressure. As Dawn Sarno points out, the text message will contain a link to a fake form where you’re asked to enter sensitive personal information like your bank account details, credit card numbers, license plate, name, and address. This is a classic phishing attack, also known as ‘smishing’ when sent via text, aiming to steal your data under duress.
Reports of this scam began to surge in March 2024, with thousands of citizens reporting texts from seemingly legitimate road toll collection services. The messages often use “almost identical language” and similar “outstanding toll amount” figures, but the embedded link is always malicious, impersonating the state’s toll service. Authorities, from the FBI to local city councils like Great Falls, are issuing urgent warnings: do not click the link. These attacks are believed to be utilizing “updated commercial phishing kits developed by Chinese cybercriminal groups” which mimic official toll operator websites, often specifically designed to function only on mobile devices, making them even more convincing.
5. **Job Offer Text Scams**
The age-old adage, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” remains one of the most vital defenses against various forms of fraud, and it’s particularly relevant for the phony job offer text scam. This particular type of message expertly preys on individuals’ aspirations, financial needs, and desire for better opportunities. Last year alone, these deceptive job offers accounted for a notable 8% of all text scams, according to SlickText.
These texts frequently promise highly lucrative pay, often coupled with appealing flexibility, such as the ability to work on your own schedule from the comfort of your home. Other variations dangle dream-like positions, offering payment to shop or work directly with luxury merchandise. For those who are unemployed, struggling to find work, or simply dissatisfied with their current employment, the promise of such a fantastic opportunity can dangerously lower their guard, making them eager to pursue what appears to be a genuine opening.
Like many other scam messages, the ultimate goal of these fraudulent job offers is to coerce you into divulging personal information, which can then be used for identity theft. Scammers might also attempt to convince you to send money for purported computer equipment or necessary training, always with the false promise of imminent reimbursement. If you encounter such an offer and suspect it might be legitimate, the FTC advises doing thorough research: “Look up the name of the company or the person who’s hiring you, plus the words ‘scam,’ ‘review’ or ‘complaint.'” Crucially, never input any sensitive information over text or through links provided in such messages.
6. **Student Loan Forgiveness Text Scams**
The promise of student loan forgiveness, a life-changing prospect for many seeking financial freedom, has sadly become a prime target for scammers. Cybercriminals are exploiting this deeply personal and widely discussed topic to prey on vulnerable individuals, primarily to steal their sensitive personal and financial information.
Much like the scams that promise amazing prizes or rewards, the effectiveness of student loan forgiveness texts stems from their ability to entice. People are so captivated by the significant relief the message promises that they tend to overlook glaring red flags in the communication. Often, these scam texts intensify the pressure by creating a false sense of urgency, typically stating that enrollments or applications are being processed on a “first come, first served” basis, compelling recipients to act quickly without critical thought.
The FTC has specifically addressed this growing concern, issuing a consumer alert in April that states, “Hearing a lot about federal student loan forgiveness in the news? You’re not alone—scammers are too.” The agency provides clear guidance: do not be fooled by official-looking government logos that scammers might embed in these texts, and absolutely never, under any circumstances, share your FSA ID login information. Legitimate government programs will not request this sensitive data via unsolicited text messages.
7. **Amazon Text Scams**
Amazon, as one of the world’s largest and most frequently used online retailers, naturally becomes a prime target for impersonation by scammers. These text messages, posing as alerts from the e-commerce giant, share similar characteristics with other prominent scam types, primarily focusing on creating anxiety around account security to drive immediate, unthinking action from the recipient.
These deceptive messages often falsely claim a security issue with your account or detect suspicious activity, frequently including a thinly veiled threat to permanently delete your account if not secured within a very short timeframe. Another common tactic mimics legitimate two-factor authentication alerts from services like Amazon, making the fake message seem more credible. Dawn Sarno explains this works because most people have an Amazon account and worry about its security.
Sarno further elaborates on the attack vector: “Often, these scams will have victims click on a link within the email to ‘secure’ their account.” This seemingly innocuous action leads to a fraudulent webpage that is meticulously designed to look exactly like the authentic Amazon login portal. Once you enter your credentials on this fake page, the scammers harvest your account information, gaining unauthorized access. In 2023, messages posing as Amazon accounted for a significant 7% of all text message scams, according to SlickText, underscoring the pervasive nature of this particular threat. Always verify account issues directly through the official Amazon app or website.
As we navigate the increasingly complex digital landscape, the evolution of scam texts continues to challenge even the most vigilant among us. Cybercriminals are constantly refining their methods, leveraging new technologies and exploiting human psychology in ever more sophisticated ways. Beyond the common smishing attacks we’ve already explored, a new wave of advanced digital deception is sweeping across our phones, demanding an even keener eye and a deeper understanding of the threats. It’s not just about what’s obvious anymore; it’s about the subtle, the insidious, and the profoundly impactful. This next section delves into these evolving threats, from cunning imposter tactics and the game-changing influence of AI to a broader spectrum of phone-related dangers, equipping you with the knowledge to protect your digital life against these intricate schemes.
8. **Wrong Number Text Scams**
Sometimes, the most elaborate cons begin with the most innocent of premises: a simple wrong number text. These messages often appear harmless, perhaps addressing you by a different name or acting as if the sender has mistakenly dialed a digit. Alternatively, some scammers pretend to know you, playing on your curiosity to engage in a conversation and discern their identity. The initial goal is to establish rapport and draw you into a dialogue, creating a seemingly innocuous connection.
This seemingly accidental communication is a subtle but effective tactic. What starts as a casual exchange can gradually morph into a much more sinister interaction. Over time, the scammer works diligently to build trust, often leading you to divulge personal information or, in the long run, to send them money. Rachel Tobac explains the psychological vulnerability these scams exploit, noting that an “epidemic of loneliness” has increased since the pandemic, leaving many isolated and desiring genuine human connections.
It is this fundamental human need for connection that these attackers ruthlessly exploit. Tobac details how attackers “start with an ‘oops wrong number’ text and then take their time telling their sob story, building rapport or building a romantic connection.” This slow-burn approach allows them to establish a deep, often emotional, bond before making their ultimate move. The objective is to manipulate you into a position where you might share sensitive personal details, money, or even photos that could later be used for blackmail.
9. **AI-Powered Scams**
The advent of artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI, has introduced a terrifying new dimension to the world of scams, making digital deception hyper-realistic and significantly harder to detect. The FBI issued a public service announcement in December 2024 detailing how criminals are now harnessing generative AI to craft more convincing and dangerous tricks. The Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) also reported a staggering increase in deepfake-related crime, soaring over 1,500% in the Asia-Pacific region from 2022 to 2023, underscoring the rapid escalation of this threat.
Generative AI tools are empowering scammers to enhance virtually every aspect of their operations. For phishing and smishing attacks, AI can generate more natural-sounding and grammatically perfect emails and text messages, eliminating the telltale signs of foreign origin or poor writing that once helped users identify scams. Beyond text, AI is also creating incredibly convincing visuals, from eye-catching websites and social media ads to fake identification documents and profile pictures for deceptive social media accounts.
Perhaps the most alarming application of AI lies in deepfake videos and cloned voices. Scammers can now create AI-generated videos to promote fraudulent products or investments, or even use real-time face- and body-swapping tools to impersonate individuals during video calls, making victims believe they are interacting with someone they know or trust. Similarly, AI-generated or altered voices, some even capable of mimicking specific accents, are being deployed in phone-based scams, adding another layer of authenticity to their deceptions. This means a call from a ‘loved one’ or ‘authority figure’ might actually be an AI impersonation, making verification more crucial than ever before.
10. **Broader Imposter Scams**
Imposter scams represent one of the most pervasive categories of fraud, largely because of their broad scope and the human tendency to trust authority or familiar figures. In these schemes, scammers adopt false identities, pretending to be friends, relatives, celebrities, businesspersons, government agents, or representatives of trusted companies. This wide array of disguises makes imposter scams incredibly adaptable and effective across various communication channels.
Historically, phone calls were the primary method for these scams, but the landscape is shifting dramatically. The FTC reports a significant decrease in imposter scams originating from phone calls, dropping from 67% in 2020 to 32% in 2023. Instead, text messages and email have emerged as the preferred initial contact methods for these fraudsters. Scammers frequently impersonate companies, sending messages about fake security alerts, bogus renewal notices, or fraudulent invoices, all designed to prompt immediate action.
These scams are incredibly sophisticated, sometimes involving multiple scammers posing as different authorities to build trust. The FTC reported a median loss of $800 for imposter scams in 2023, but government imposter scams saw median losses skyrocket to $14,740 in early 2024. This alarming rise highlights the critical need for skepticism, especially when faced with threats or unbelievable offers.
11. **Sextortion Scams**
A particularly distressing and increasingly prevalent form of digital crime is financial ual extortion, commonly referred to as sextortion. This scam preys on vulnerable individuals, often with a disturbing focus on younger demographics, leading to severe emotional and financial consequences. The methodology is insidious, typically beginning with scammers posing as young girls or women interested in romantic relationships.
Once a connection is made, these criminals engage in deceptive tactics, sending stolen or AI-generated explicit photos to trick victims into sharing their own explicit images or videos. Another variation involves scammers cultivating friendships before offering money, gift cards, or other incentives in exchange for explicit content. The victim is then trapped: the scammers threaten to distribute these images or videos to family, friends, and classmates unless a payment is made.
The rapid pace at which these scams operate, often concluding in under an hour, is a key to their success, leaving victims feeling embarrassed and fearful, making them less likely to seek help. Resources from the FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline are invaluable for reporting scams and removing explicit content. Staying protected requires constant vigilance and prompt reporting, as these threats aim to isolate and exploit individuals.
12. **Romance Scams**
While romance scams are not a new phenomenon, they persist as a highly effective form of deception, significantly enhanced by the capabilities of generative AI. These scams fundamentally involve building fake relationships for financial gain, often initiated through seemingly innocuous contacts. Scammers frequently steal identities or create convincing fake profiles across dating apps and social media platforms to ensnare victims, cultivating trust over weeks or even months.
Detecting a fake profile has become incredibly challenging, especially with AI capable of deepfaking video calls, making the digital illusion all the more convincing. Some sophisticated crime organizations even resort to coercing individuals or hiring models to participate in these scams, adding layers of human authenticity to their deception. The emotional manipulation is profound; after gaining your trust, the scammer will inevitably pivot to financial requests, asking for money, gifts, or even offering fraudulent investment “tips.”
Another cunning tactic involves the scammer “mistakenly” sending money to the victim, then asking for it to be returned or forwarded to someone else. If the initial payment is later identified as fraudulent by the bank, the victim’s account is debited, leaving them on the hook. Many of these scams, as Rachel Tobac highlights in the context of wrong number texts, begin with an “accidental” text message, which then evolves into a romance or employment scam. These ‘wrong number’ texts, often initiated by AI messaging bots, are designed to target thousands of people simultaneously, playing on curiosity or politeness to draw victims into a conversation that ultimately leads to exploitation.
13. **Comprehensive Phone-Related Scams**
The pervasive nature of smartphones makes them a prime target for a wide array of scams that extend beyond simple text messages. These “phone-related scams” leverage various mobile technologies and user behaviors, ranging from automated calls to sophisticated digital attacks. Robocalls, for instance, continue to inundate phones, using increasingly natural-sounding recorded voices to offer everything from dubious auto warranties to tempting vacations, or even threatening messages to capture attention. Some advanced robocalls can even respond to user questions, blurring the lines between automated and human interaction.
Malicious apps represent another significant threat. Scammers design these apps to steal personal information or mimic legitimate applications to profit from in-app purchases. Disturbingly, there have been reports of malware that can infect a phone and redirect calls to a scammer when a victim attempts to contact their bank, creating a seamless trap. Furthermore, the convenience of QR codes, now ubiquitous for menus and payments, has been weaponized; scammers place fake codes in public spots, leading victims to fraudulent websites or prompting small, deceptive purchases that harvest credentials.
SIM swapping is a particularly alarming technique where thieves reassign your phone number to a SIM card they control. This allows them to intercept authentication codes or links, gaining unauthorized access to your accounts. Users are advised to contact their carriers about security measures against SIM swapping and to utilize non-SMS multifactor authentication options like authenticator apps. Lastly, One-Time Password (OTP) bots are used to trick individuals into revealing authentication codes. A scammer attempts to log into an account, triggering an OTP. Simultaneously, the bot impersonates the company and contacts the victim, requesting the code. The timing makes the bot’s request appear legitimate, but providing the code grants the scammer immediate access, making vigilance against unsolicited OTP requests paramount.
14. **Cryptocurrency & Investment Scams**
The volatile and often speculative nature of cryptocurrency, coupled with the allure of high returns, has made it a fertile ground for scammers, leading to a surge in fraudulent crypto and investment opportunities. These scams manifest in various forms, including fake prizes, contests, giveaways, or promises of exclusive early investment opportunities. Scammers frequently impersonate celebrities or legitimate-looking websites to lure victims into sending money, sharing login credentials, or “investing” in projects that are, in reality, nonexistent or designed solely to defraud.
Crypto exchange accounts are particularly vulnerable to sophisticated attacks, such as the OTP bot technique. As discussed earlier, these bots intercept one-time passwords, preventing victims from accessing or retrieving their cryptocurrency while scammers drain their accounts. The psychological pressure to capitalize on perceived market surges, like the one seen after the presidential election, can significantly impair judgment, making individuals more susceptible to these deceptive schemes.
Investment scams, while often similar in technique, broaden their scope beyond just cryptocurrency, encompassing a wider range of fraudulent financial opportunities. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) identified combined crypto and investment scams as the riskiest scam in its 2023 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report. Despite a median loss of $3,800, a staggering 80% of targeted individuals reported falling victim, underscoring the high success rate of these deceptive tactics. Protecting your assets requires rigorous verification of any investment opportunity, especially those that appear too good to be true, and a deep skepticism towards unsolicited advice.
In 2024, mastering the digital world requires more than just basic caution; It requires a proactive and informed approach to cybersecurity. With the continuous development of strategies and artificial intelligence, the complexity of text phishing scams continues to escalate, which means maintaining a leading position is a continuous challenge. Remember, digital trust is earned, not assumed. Always verify, question, and protect your personal information with utmost caution. By understanding the enemy’s strategies and staying vigilant, we can jointly establish stronger defenses against digital deception and ensure that our connected lives are safe and private.
