You Got a Scam Text Message: What to Do Now
A strange text with a link is a scam called smishing. Here is how to spot it, what to do, and how to report it.
What a scam text message is
A scam text message is a trap sent to your phone. The Postal Inspection Service calls it smishing. It is a form of phishing that uses a text message or phone number instead of email. The FBI says smishing scams happen through text messages. The FTC says a text from an unknown sender could be a scammer after your personal and financial information.
The scam often hides behind a package. The Postal Inspection Service says a text claiming a USPS delivery needs a response, with a strange link, is a scam. If you want to know more about how this trick works, read about the smishing scam in detail.
What scam text messages look like
Smishing victims get a deceptive text meant to lure them into giving personal or financial information. The Postal Inspection Service says the scammers often pretend to be a government agency, bank, or other company to seem legitimate. Here are the common warning signs:
- A message saying a USPS delivery needs a response, with a strange link.
- A request to confirm personal details out of nowhere.
- A sender you do not know.
One detail helps with package texts. The Postal Inspection Service says USPS uses 5-digit short codes to send and receive text messages to and from mobile phones. If you are still unsure, see our guide on is this a scam text.
Why scammers want your personal information
The Postal Inspection Service says scammers want personal details like usernames, passwords, Social Security numbers, birth dates, and card numbers. Their guide says to treat your personal information like cash.
Stolen details do not stay idle. The Postal Inspection Service says stolen personal information is used to carry out other crimes, such as financial fraud. The guide says your Social Security number and credit card numbers can be used to steal your money. Scammers can also open new accounts in your name without your knowledge or approval.
The Postal Inspection Service offers a simple test: verify the sender's identity and ask yourself why the sender wants your information. It also says legitimate companies will not ask you to confirm or provide personal information.
What to do if you get a scam text
If a text looks wrong, do not answer it. The guide says to be cautious of text messages from unknown senders. Do not tap the link, and do not reply, even to say no.
Then report it. You can learn the full process on our page about how to report a scam text. The short version is below.
What to do if you already clicked or replied
You are not the first person to tap a link, and you will not be the last. There is a clear next step.
The Postal Inspection Service says if you already interacted with the link, even without clicking submit, notify your financial institution. Do that now, before anything else. Tell your bank or card company what you entered and when.
How to report a scam text message
Reporting depends on what the text pretended to be. The Postal Inspection Service gives two routes:
- USPS smishing. Report it by emailing spam@uspis.gov. This covers texts that pretend to come from USPS, such as fake package notices. For more on that trick, see our page on the USPS scam.
- Non-USPS smishing. Complaints can also go to its law enforcement partners. The Postal Inspection Service says non-USPS smishing complaints can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission, or to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
The Postal Inspection Service says to forward the smishing text message to 7726 to help report the scam phone number. It also says it will contact you if more information is needed.
How to block scam texts and protect yourself
Your phone can do some of the work. The guide says you can call your carrier's customer service number to block spam messages. It also says you might be able to log into your account and activate message blocks there.
A few habits help too:
- Keep your security software and applications up to date on your cell phone.
- Review your cell phone bill for unauthorized charges.
- Report unauthorized charges to your carrier.
The Postal Inspection Service says to regularly check your cell phone bill for unauthorized charges and report them to your carrier.
Delete it, report it, and keep your guard up the next time your phone buzzes with a strange link.