By Jennifer Tucker
October 15, 2024 | 6 Min. Read

Maya, a long-time member of her credit union, was enjoying the weekend when she got an alarming text: “Your account has been locked. Click here to verify your identity or your funds will be frozen.” Her heart started to race—she couldn’t afford to lose access to her checking account! But something about that message didn’t feel right. It didn’t mention her credit union by name, and the link looked suspicious.

Instead of panicking, Maya paused and asked herself, “Is this a legitimate message, or could it be a scam? Am I being smished?”

In our digital world, where we rely on our phones for everything from banking to shopping to catching up with friends, spam and scam texts are becoming more common—and they can be convincing. Just like Maya, it’s important to recognize the warning signs before you fall into a trap. Here, we’re explaining how to protect yourself by spotting fake messages, blocking spam senders, and avoiding engagement with scammers.

Text messages are a convenient way to stay in touch, but not all the messages you receive are welcome. Spam and scam texts, often referred to as “smishing,” are invading our phones, and they can be more than just annoying—they present a threat to your personal information. But how do you know if a message is legitimate? And what can you do about it? Let’s break it down.

Spam texts often originate from leaked or sold phone numbers. You may have (knowingly or unknowingly) provided your number when signing up for services, joining a mailing list, or entering a contest. Scammers also sometimes use automated tools to generate random numbers; yours could end up in the mix.

Scammers use clever tactics to trick you into responding to their messages—and if you respond, you may be opening the door to a serious security threat. Here are some signs that a text might be fake:

Here are a few examples of common types of scam text messages to help you recognize potential threats:

“Your bank account has been locked due to suspicious activity. Click here to verify your identity and regain access: [fake link].”

Red flags: Urgency, unexpected message, request to click a link

“Congratulations! You’ve won a $1,000 gift card. Click here to claim your prize now: [fake link].”

Red flags: Sounds too good to be true, you didn’t enter a contest

“Your package could not be delivered. Please update your address information here: [fake link].”

Red flags: Unfamiliar package or shipper, request for personal information

“Your Apple account is about to expire. Sign in here to update your details and avoid disruption: [fake link].”

Red flags: Unsolicited message, request for login information

“You are eligible for a tax relief payment. Please submit your information to receive your funds: [fake link].”

Red flags: Government agencies do not request personal information via text

“[Bank Name]: Did you attempt a $1,000 withdrawal? If not, click here to report fraud: [fake link].”

Red flags: Urgency, creates fear of fraudulent activity, request to click a link

Be extra cautious because sometimes a spam text might look like it’s from someone you know. Scammers can spoof phone numbers, making it seem like the text is from a friend or a company you trust. Always be wary of unexpected messages that ask for personal information or try to direct you to a website.

Preventing spam and scam messages from reaching your phone is the first step in staying safe. Here are some steps you can take to stop spam texts:

It’s difficult to stop all spam texts, but blocking a particular sender is a quick way to prevent future messages coming from the same number. Here’s how you can do it:

For iPhone: Open the message, tap the contact at the top, then tap “Info.” Scroll down and select “Block this Caller.”

For Android: Open the message, tap the three dots in the top right corner, and select “Block Number.”

You can also look in your phone’s settings for spam filters or download third-party apps that block spam texts automatically.

Smishing (SMS phishing) is a scam where criminals send fraudulent text messages trying to trick you into revealing sensitive information. These messages may look like they’re from a trusted company, such as your bank, and they often contain links to fake websites designed to steal your data.

Never click on links in unexpected messages, verify the sender by contacting the company directly using their official contact information, and never provide sensitive information via text message.

If you reply to a scam text, you confirm that your number is active, which can lead to more spam. This could expose you to phishing attempts, where the scammer tries to trick you into revealing personal information, such as passwords or bank account numbers.

When you respond to a scam message, even just to say “Stop,” you signal to the scammer that your number is valid and active. This can lead to more spam or even attempts to engage you in further contact to steal your information. The best action is to ignore, delete, and block the sender.

If you click on a link in a scam message, do not enter any personal information. Close the page immediately, clear your browser cache, and consider running a malware scan. Also, notify your bank or credit union if you believe any sensitive data may have been compromised.

Your phone might automatically filter potential spam messages into a separate folder. On iPhones, you can find these messages in the “Messages” app under “Unknown Senders.” On Android phones, this folder might be called “Spam” or “Blocked Messages.”

While it’s difficult to stop all spam messages, you can reduce them by using a spam blocker, reporting spam texts, and not sharing your phone number publicly. Some carriers and apps provide spam filtering options as well.

Many carriers allow you to report spam texts by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM). You can also report scam texts directly to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Your bank or credit union will never ask for sensitive information such as your password, account number, or full social security number via text message. If you’re unsure of a message you receive, call your bank using the official number found on their website or the back of your credit or debit card.

At Marine Credit Union, we have your financial security in mind. Download our Identity Theft Workbook and you’ll be prepared to act if you receive a fraud alert, get notified of a data breach, or see a suspicious transaction on your account.

Learn more about how to protect your personal information from identity theft, fraud, data breaches, and more:

Marine Credit Union – Fraud Education and Resources

Marine Credit Union – Security and Identity Theft