What is Smishing?
Smishing is a portmanteau of "SMS" (Short Message Service) and "Phishing." It is a social engineering technique where attackers use text messages to trick you into clicking a malicious link, downloading malware, or giving up personal information. Unlike email phishing, smishing often relies on the instant, casual nature of texting to bypass your critical thought.
These scams frequently impersonate legitimate organizations like banks, tax authorities, package delivery services, or utilities to create a sense of trust or panic.
Top Smishing Scenarios to Watch For
Attackers rely on exploiting human emotions—urgency, fear, or greed.
Bank Account Alerts (Fear/Urgency)
- The text claims your account has been compromised, locked, or an unauthorized transaction has occurred. It prompts you to "click here immediately" to verify or stop the charge.
- Red Flag: The link takes you to a fake login page designed to steal your credentials. Legitimate banks rarely use embedded links for urgent security issues.
Package Delivery Issues (Urgency/Curiosity)
- The text claims your delivery failed or a small fee is required to reschedule, including a tracking link.
- Red Flag: The link leads to a malicious site that asks for credit card details or tries to install tracking malware onto your phone.
Tax/Government Refunds (Greed/Authority)
- The message says you are owed a large tax refund and need to submit personal details via a provided link to claim the money.
- Red Flag: Government agencies do not initiate contact regarding refunds or personal details via unsolicited text messages.
Your Smishing Defense Strategy
"If you receive a suspicious text from a company you know, do not click the link. Navigate to the company's official website or call their verified number to check the status." — Security Protocol
- Never Click Links: Assume any link in an unsolicited text is malicious. Type URLs directly into your browser instead.
- Verify the Source: If a text claims to be your bank or provider, look up their official phone number (do not use the number in the text) and call them directly.
- Do Not Reply: Replying confirms your number is active, leading to more scam attempts. Report and block the number immediately.
- Use Phone Security Features: Enable built-in junk/spam filtering features provided by your mobile carrier or phone operating system (iOS/Android).
- Treat Personal Information Like Cash: Never provide credit card numbers, passwords, or Social Security numbers via text message.
Stay Vigilant
As mobile devices become central to our lives, smishing will continue to grow. Your strongest defense is skepticism and following a strict protocol of never clicking links or providing data from unsolicited text messages.
Keep your mobile security software updated and inform your friends and family about these common scams.