Protecting Yourself from the Rise of SMS Phishing Attacks
Smishing—short for SMS phishing—is a cyber threat that’s gaining ground quickly, targeting people through the one device they rarely put down: their mobile phone. These text-based scams are designed to trick individuals into revealing personal information, downloading malware, or clicking on malicious links. In this article, we’ll explain what smishing is, explore how common it has become, highlight real-world examples, and provide practical advice to help you stay protected.
What Is Smishing?
Smishing is a type of phishing attack delivered via SMS (Short Message Service) or text message. The attacker sends a deceptive message that appears to come from a legitimate source, like a bank, government agency, online retailer, or delivery service. The goal is to manipulate the recipient into taking an action such as:
- Clicking a link that leads to a fake website
- Providing sensitive information (e.g., passwords, Social Security number)
- Downloading malicious apps or files
These messages often create a sense of urgency or fear to provoke quick action before the recipient has time to think critically.
How Common Is Smishing?
Smishing is on the rise—and it’s not just a nuisance; it’s a serious threat. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), reports of text message scams more than tripled between 2019 and 2022, with losses exceeding $330 million in 2022 alone. The number continues to climb as attackers exploit the frequency with which people check and trust text messages.
Mobile security company Proofpoint noted in a 2023 report that over 80% of organizations experienced smishing attacks, with many targeting their employees to breach corporate networks. This trend highlights not only the widespread nature of smishing but also its evolution from consumer-level fraud to enterprise-level threats.
What Do Smishing Attacks Look Like?
Smishing scams come in many forms. Here are a few common examples:
1. Fake Delivery Notifications
“Your FedEx package is waiting for delivery confirmation. Click here: fedex-track.info/xyz”
This type of message appears to be from a delivery company, requesting that the recipient click a link to track or confirm a shipment. The link leads to a phishing site or malware download.
2. Bank Account Alerts
“Chase: Suspicious activity detected on your account. Verify immediately: secure-chaseauth.com”
This scam exploits fear to get victims to enter login credentials or financial information on a fake bank website.
3. Gift or Prize Offers
“You’ve won a $500 Walmart gift card! Click to claim your prize.”
These messages prey on curiosity and greed. Clicking the link might lead to malware or requests for personal data to “claim” the prize.
4. Urgent Requests from ‘Authorities’
“IRS: You owe back taxes. Pay now to avoid legal action. https://irs-payment.help”
This tactic employs intimidation, claiming legal trouble or fines to coerce victims into using fraudulent payment portals.
5. Two-Factor Code Confirmation
“Your verification code is 829103. If you did not request this, reset your password immediately: secure-update.com”
Some attackers try to impersonate a service you use—often following up after a phishing email—to catch you off guard and steal account access.
How to Avoid Becoming a Victim
Here are practical tips to recognize and avoid smishing attacks:
1. Be Skeptical of Unexpected Texts
If you receive a message from an unknown number—or even from a known service that you weren’t expecting—treat it with caution. Don’t click links or reply until you’ve verified the sender through another trusted method.
2. Don’t Trust Caller ID or Short Links
Attackers can spoof sender names and use link shorteners (such as bit.ly or tinyurl) to conceal the destination. Hovering over links isn’t possible in SMS, so when in doubt, don’t click.
3. Avoid Sharing Sensitive Information by Text
Legitimate companies won’t ask for your passwords, Social Security number, or credit card info via SMS. If you’re asked to provide this, it’s a red flag.
4. Use Spam Filters and Report Suspicious Messages
Most smartphones and carriers now have built-in spam detection. You can also forward smishing texts to 7726 (SPAM) to report them to your mobile carrier.
5. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
While MFA is not foolproof, it adds an extra layer of protection. Even if a smishing scam steals your password, MFA can prevent access to your accounts.
6. Keep Your Phone’s OS and Apps Updated
Security patches are regularly released to protect against known vulnerabilities. Keeping your device up to date helps minimize your exposure to malware.
The Bottom Line
Smishing is a modern twist on an old trick—using deception to manipulate people into giving up information or access. But with a little skepticism and the right habits, you can avoid falling for these increasingly clever attacks. If something feels off about a text message, trust your instincts and verify through official channels.
References
- What a Phishing Attack Looks Like for Individuals and Small Businesses. https://brilliancesecuritymagazine.com/cybersecurity/what-a-phishing-attack-looks-like-for-individuals-and-small-businesses/
- Federal Trade Commission. Text Message Scams. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages
- Proofpoint. 2023 State of the Phish Report. https://www.proofpoint.com/us/resources/threat-reports/state-of-phish
Steven Bowcut is an award-winning journalist covering cyber and physical security. He is an editor and writer for Brilliance Security Magazine as well as other security and non-security online publications. Follow and connect with Steve on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.