In an increasingly connected world, the digital threats we face are constantly evolving, and perhaps none are as insidious and pervasive right now as the humble text message. While we’ve all grown accustomed to filtering out spam emails and ignoring suspicious phone calls, cybercriminals are shifting their focus to our SMS inboxes, making scam texts their preferred mode of attack. This isn’t just a minor nuisance; it’s a rapidly escalating crisis. Since March 2024 alone, Americans have been deluged with an astonishing 19.2 billion spam texts, according to a study by SlickText, and the financial toll is staggering, with the FTC reporting that people lost a massive $10 billion to these “smishing” scams in 2023.
These aren’t the easily identifiable, poorly worded messages of yesteryear. Today’s scam texts are designed to look incredibly real, leveraging sophisticated tactics to bypass our defenses. “Scam text messages often pretend to be reputable companies to steal your personal information,” explains fraud expert Dawn Sarno, director of the AVANT Lab at Clemson University. She further notes that they “will include real company logos, threaten you to respond within a deadline, scare you into thinking you will lose money or offer you things that are too good to be true.” Even seasoned tech journalists specializing in cybersecurity issues are occasionally caught off guard, forced to do a double-take.
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**
Few things cause more immediate alarm than a text message indicating a problem with your bank account. The sheer urgency and the paramount need to secure your finances make these messages exceptionally potent tools for scammers. Indeed, spam texts masquerading as bank alerts were identified as the most popular type of scam text message in 2023, a testament to their effectiveness in exploiting our financial anxieties, according to 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.
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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.
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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 clearly outlines the mechanism: “Scammers will promise targets they’ll receive free prizes, coupons or gift cards if they click a link within a text message.” The brilliance, or rather the insidious nature, of this scam lies in its ability to distract. Sarno explains that “These are effective because potential victims are distracted by the promise of gaining something and ignore the important indicators that the message is a scam.” The excitement of a potential win often overshadows 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.
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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 emerging text messages often carry a severe warning that you need to pay immediately to avoid late fees, creating an intense sense of urgency designed to bypass rational thought. As Dawn Sarno highlights, “The text message will include a link to have you fill out personal information like your bank account or credit card, license plate number, and name and address.” This is a classic phishing attack, or “smishing” when delivered via text, where the goal is to harvest your sensitive 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.
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6. **Student Loan Forgiveness Text Scams**
For countless individuals, student loan forgiveness represents a life-altering opportunity, offering a pathway to financial freedom. This deeply personal and widely discussed topic has unfortunately become fertile ground for scammers. It’s no surprise that cybercriminals are dangling the prospect of forgiveness in front of vulnerable individuals, primarily to steal their 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.
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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.
Typically, these messages claim that there has been a security issue with your account, or that suspicious activity has been detected. They often include a thinly veiled threat, such as stating that if you fail to secure your account within a very short timeframe, it will be permanently deleted. Another common tactic is to mimic the legitimate two-factor authentication messages that Amazon sends when you log in, making the fake alert appear even more credible. As Dawn Sarno explains, “This is a successful tactic because most targets have an Amazon account and are worried about the security of their account.”
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.
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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.
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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.
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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 leverage the victim’s trust and can be incredibly sophisticated. Some even involve multi-party scams where an initial imposter directs the victim to an accomplice, who then poses as a government agent or a bank employee. The median loss for imposter scams was $800 in 2023, according to the FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book. However, government imposter scams specifically led to a massive increase in losses in early 2024, with median losses skyrocketing to $14,740. This stark figure underscores the critical need for skepticism, especially when contacted by someone attempting to instill fear or offering seemingly irresistible gifts or investment opportunities.
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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 speed with which these scams unfold is often a key factor in their success, sometimes happening in less than an hour. Victims, overwhelmed by embarrassment and fear, may feel too ashamed to seek help, making them more susceptible to the demands. Resources from the FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline are crucial for those targeted, offering support for reporting the scam and assistance in taking down explicit content. Protecting oneself requires vigilance and immediate reporting, understanding that these threats are designed to isolate and exploit.
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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.
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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.
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Navigating the digital landscape in 2024 and beyond demands more than just basic caution; it requires a proactive, informed approach to cybersecurity. The sophistication of new text phishing scams, fueled by evolving tactics and the game-changing power of AI, means that staying one step ahead is a constant endeavor. Remember, digital trust is a privilege, not a given. Always verify, question, and protect your personal information with the same care you would your most precious possessions. By understanding the enemy’s constantly evolving playbook and remaining vigilant, we can collectively build a stronger defense against the pervasive tide of digital deception and ensure our connected lives remain secure and private.
