Don’t Get Caught Off Guard: Spot and Stop Text Message Scams

August 8, 2025

“Final notice—act now.”

“Did you approve this purchase?”

“Your account will be frozen unless you respond immediately.”

If you have ever gotten a text like this, you have been targeted by a fast-growing type of fraud called smishing. Smishing stands for "SMS phishing."

Fraudsters use urgent messages to trick people. They want you to click a link, call a fake number, or share sensitive information. The moment you take the bait, you might give criminals access to your bank account, credit card, or personal identity.

Unfortunately, these scams are becoming more common—and more convincing. Criminals often pose as banks, credit unions, or other financial institutions. They may even mimic the logos, fonts, or style of genuine messages so closely that it’s hard to tell the difference at first glance.

The good news? With some awareness and a few smart habits, you can make yourself a much harder target. Here are three essential steps to protect yourself from text-based fraud.

Step 1: Learn the Warning Signs of a Scam Text

A legitimate message from your bank or financial institution will usually be short, direct, and tied to an action you recently took—such as confirming a transaction you just made. Scam texts, however, often have one or more of these red flags:

●     It’s unexpected. You didn’t initiate contact, and the message seems to appear out of nowhere.

●     It pressures you to act immediately. Phrases like “urgent,” “final notice,” or “act now” are designed to push you into clicking before thinking.

●     The link looks off. It may be similar to a company’s real website but with subtle misspellings or extra characters.

●     It asks for personal or security details. No legitimate company will request passwords, PINs, or verification codes by text.

●     It comes from an odd or unfamiliar number. Even if it claims to be from your bank, that’s a major warning sign.

●     It offers unrealistic rewards. Promises of prizes, gift cards, or unusually high returns are classic bait.

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It's important to know that modern scammers can use AI tools. They can create professional designs and even copy official logos. Just because a text looks polished doesn’t mean it’s real.

Pro tip: While companies like Fidelity publish the official phone numbers they use for texts, criminals can spoof those numbers to make messages appear authentic. This means the “from” number alone can’t be trusted.

Step 2: Don’t Take the Bait

Once you suspect a text is fraudulent, your best move is to completely ignore it. Don’t click on any links, don’t call any phone numbers listed, and don’t reply—not even with “STOP.”

Why? Interacting in any way confirms to the scammer that your phone number is active, which could make you a target for future scams.

Scammers’ goal is to trick you into sharing login details, account numbers, or other personal information—often by sending you to a fake website that looks just like the real thing. If you avoid clicking, you shut down their entire plan before it starts.

And remember: the more urgent the tone of the message, the more cautious you should be. Take a moment, step back, and evaluate before you act.

Step 3: Verify Through Official Channels

If you’re not sure whether a text is legitimate, verify it directly—but do so on your own terms.

●     Don’t use the contact information provided in the text.

●     Do look up your bank or institution’s official phone number on its website or a printed statement you know is genuine.

●     Don’t rely solely on search engine results, as scammers can pay to have fake sites appear in search rankings.

●     Do call your institution and explain the message you received so they can confirm whether it’s real.

This simple habit can save you from becoming a victim and can also alert your institution to ongoing scam campaigns.

Why Vigilance Matters More Than Ever

Text message scams aren’t going away—in fact, they’re evolving. Criminals are constantly finding new ways to exploit urgency, fear, and curiosity. While smishing is a major threat, it’s just one tactic in a wider fraud playbook that includes email phishing, phone scams, and even social media impersonations.

By staying alert, you can dramatically reduce your risk. If something feels “off,” trust your instincts. A legitimate business will never mind if you take the time to verify before responding.

Bottom Line

Treat every unexpected text with caution, especially if it involves money or personal information. Recognize the warning signs, refuse to engage, and confirm suspicious messages through official channels.

Your best defense is a mix of awareness and doubt. In financial security, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Sources:

https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/text-scams

Disclosure:

This information is an overview and should not be considered as specific guidance or recommendations for any individual or business.

This material is provided as a courtesy and for educational purposes only.

These are the views of the author, not the named Representative or Advisory Services Network, LLC, and should not be construed as investment advice. Neither the named Representative nor Advisory Services Network, LLC gives tax or legal advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Please consult your Financial Advisor for further information.