Is That Text Message a Scam? How to Tell in 2025

Is that text message a scam? Quick answer: If it's from an unknown number, creates urgency, asks you to click a link or share information, and claims to be from a bank, delivery service, or government agency - it's almost certainly a scam. Legitimate organizations rarely contact you this way for urgent matters.

AI has made text scams more convincing, with perfect grammar and personalized details. Here's how to spot them.

Why Text Scams Are Increasing

AI Makes Scams Better

AI enables scammers to:

• Write grammatically perfect messages
• Personalize texts with your name and details
• Create convincing fake websites instantly
• Send millions of unique messages
• Respond intelligently if you reply

The old "bad grammar equals scam" rule no longer applies.

Text Messages Feel Personal

We're trained to trust texts:

• Texts feel more personal than email
• Phone numbers seem more legitimate
• We respond to texts quickly without thinking
• The format limits how much we analyze

Scammers exploit this trust.

Common Text Scam Types

Delivery Scams

"Your package could not be delivered. Schedule redelivery: [link]"

Reality: Even if you're expecting a package, this is almost always fake. Real delivery services don't text random links.

Red flags:

• Doesn't specify what package or carrier
• Link goes to suspicious domain
• You didn't provide your number to the shipper

Bank and Financial Scams

"ALERT: Unusual activity on your account. Verify now or your account will be suspended: [link]"

Reality: Banks don't threaten account suspension via text link.

Red flags:

• Urgency and threats
• Link instead of asking you to call
• Generic greeting
• Doesn't match your bank's normal communications

Government Scams

"IRS: You are owed a tax refund of $1,247. Claim now: [link]"

Reality: The IRS, Social Security, and government agencies don't text about refunds or benefits.

Red flags:

• Government agencies don't text like this
• Unsolicited money offers
• Links to non-.gov domains

Account Verification Scams

"Your Netflix payment failed. Update your payment method: [link]"

Reality: Service providers email about payment issues, not text.

Red flags:

• Text instead of email
• Generic "your account" language
• Link to unfamiliar domain

Prize and Reward Scams

"Congratulations! You've won a $500 gift card. Claim here: [link]"

Reality: You can't win contests you didn't enter.

Red flags:

• Too good to be true
• You didn't enter anything
• Requires clicking unknown link

Use our [AI Text Scam Detector](/tools/ai-text-scam-detector) to analyze suspicious messages.

Red Flags That Reveal Scams

The Sender

• Unknown or unfamiliar number
• Number doesn't match the claimed company
• International number for domestic company
• Email-to-SMS format (long sender ID)

The Message

• Urgency: "Immediate action required!"
• Threats: "Account will be suspended"
• Vague: "Your package" without details
• Too good: Free money or prizes
• Requests for information: SSN, password, payment details

The Link

• Shortened URLs that hide the destination
• Misspelled company names: "amaz0n" or "fedx"
• Extra words: "fedex-tracking-verify.com" instead of fedex.com
• HTTP instead of HTTPS
• Weird domains: .xyz, .info, .click

What's Missing

• No specific account number or order number
• No your actual name (just "dear customer")
• No way to verify by calling official number
• Nothing you can cross-reference with real accounts

How to Verify Suspicious Texts

Don't Click - Go Direct

Instead of clicking a link:

1. Open a new browser
2. Type the company's official URL
3. Log into your account normally
4. Check for alerts or messages there

If there's really an issue, it will appear in your real account.

Call the Company

Use a number you find yourself:

1. Search for the company's official website
2. Find their customer service number
3. Call and ask if they sent the text
4. Never call numbers provided in the suspicious text

Check Your Accounts

Before panicking about a bank or payment text:

1. Open your banking app
2. Check for actual alerts
3. Review recent transactions
4. Call if you're genuinely concerned

What to Do When You Get Scam Texts

Don't Engage

• Don't reply, even to say "stop"
• Don't click any links
• Don't call any numbers in the text
• Replying confirms your number is active

Block and Delete

• Block the number
• Delete the message
• This prevents accidental future clicks

Report It

• Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) - most carriers support this
• Report to FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
• Report to the company being impersonated

If You Already Clicked

Immediate Steps

1. Close the page - Don't enter any information
2. Disconnect from internet - Temporarily disable data/WiFi
3. Run security scan - Use your phone's security features
4. Clear browser data - Cookies and cache

If You Entered Information

Personal info:

• Monitor credit reports
• Consider credit freeze
• Watch for identity theft signs

Login credentials:

• Change password immediately at the real site
• Enable two-factor authentication
• Check for unauthorized access

Payment details:

• Contact your bank immediately
• Dispute unauthorized charges
• Consider replacing the card

Social Security Number:

• Place fraud alert with credit bureaus
• Consider credit freeze
• Monitor for identity theft
• File IRS Identity Protection PIN

Use our [AI Scam Detector](/tools/ai-scam-detector) to analyze any suspicious communications you've received.

Protecting Yourself Long-Term

General Practices

• Never click links in unexpected texts
• Verify directly through official channels
• Keep software and security updated
• Use strong, unique passwords
• Enable two-factor authentication everywhere

Phone Settings

• Enable spam filtering if available
• Use caller/text ID apps
• Keep phone number as private as reasonable
• Be careful where you share your number

Mindset

• Companies rarely text urgent requests
• Free money offers are scams
• If it creates panic, pause and verify
• Trust your instincts when something feels off

The Bottom Line

Text scams are more sophisticated than ever, but the principles for spotting them haven't changed:

1. Unexpected texts with urgency = suspicious
2. Never click links - go directly to official sites
3. Verify through other channels - call official numbers
4. When in doubt, pause - legitimate issues can wait for verification
5. Report and block - don't engage with scammers

The best defense is knowing that legitimate companies rarely create urgency via text. If a message makes you panic, that's exactly what the scammer wants. Slow down, verify independently, and protect yourself.

Use our [AI Text Scam Detector](/tools/ai-text-scam-detector) to analyze suspicious texts, and our [AI Scam Detector](/tools/ai-scam-detector) for emails and other communications.