Technique

Smishing

Also known as: SMS Phishing, Text Phishing, Text Message Scam, Text Scam

DELIVERY

SMS-based phishing using text messages with malicious links or urgent requests.

Common attack flows

How it fits in a scam

This technique shows up duringDELIVERY

Before

After

Defense

How to defend against this

How to spot it

Unknown sender or unfamiliar short codes/phone numbers
Generic greetings (Dear Customer or Sir/Madam) instead of your name
Spelling errors or grammatical mistakes or odd formatting
Urgent language demanding immediate action or threatening consequences
Requests for personal info (SSN or passwords or bank details) via text
Suspicious shortened URLs or links to unfamiliar domains
Claims from entities that dont normally contact you by text (IRS or FBI)
Unsolicited prize/gift notifications requiring action to claim
Package delivery notifications you werent expecting

Tools you can use

Steps you can take

Further reading