
Due to the overwhelming amount of new technology introduced to the public, there are many tricks and scams that most people are unaware of. Whether involved in a phishing scam or entering confidential information for a fake tax return, there are many ways for your money or info to be stolen without your knowledge.
When it comes to your phone, there is no shortage of scams or cons that can take place. The most common scams you will see in your day-to-day life will most likely be spam texts and spoofed ( cover numbers that make a call look like it’s coming from a local line) numbers.
Phone scams are common nowadays, but they don’t have to be. If you are concerned about getting scammed, you are right to be cautious and smart to act before you have fallen victim to a con. In the next few sections, we will review the ten most common text message scams and how to protect yourself going forward.
The 10 Text Message Scams You Will Run Into
Text message scams are tricky because many people typically don’t consider their phone as being vulnerable the same way they would a computer or credit card. This lackadaisical attitude can be disastrous for those who click links in text messages and freely give out personal information as texts request it.
If you ever need to verify a phone number or are curious about who is behind it, consider using a tool like PublicRecord.com. It is great for uncovering scammers and determining their location or verifying whether a number is legitimate or the result of spoofing.
Take advantage of PublicRecord.com’s reverse phone lookup for a random number, which will give you information about anyone who has owned the number you entered. Spoofing typically uses a preowned number, so if the number has been spoofed, you may see an unexpected identity or business attached to the number.
1) Time-Sensitive Text Scams (Must Accept Within The Day!)
Have you ever had a message from a random number telling you that you have a tax refund or gift card that needs to be claimed? Congratulations and condolences; you have been the attempted target of a time-sensitive text scam. These are common scams that can become insufferable if your phone number has been involved in a data leak.
The idea is that you need to answer quickly, or the money will disappear, urging less paranoid individuals into entering their personal or financial information. If the IRS needs to reach you about a tax return, they will not text you. If you are getting texts from someone claiming to be with the IRS or a business giving away gift cards, block and report them.
2} Promises of Financial Gain (Check Scams, Tax Scams, etc.)
Much in the same vein as the first scam, this scam preys on a person’s fear of missing out and pure human greed. We all could use an extra dollar or two, so when someone texts you swearing that you can easily get $1000 in a few minutes, we all want it to be true. Unfortunately, consenting to these requests will only leave you poorer than you started.
3) The Big Winner Scam (Congratulations, You’ve Won)
This is such an overdone scam across mobile phones, laptops, and every other internet-accessible device that you can hear the “Congratulations, you’ve won!” in your head. Who doesn’t want to be a winner? Who doesn’t want to win something? When was the last time you entered a contest? Have you entered a contest?
These questions all come racing through at a moment’s notice, and before you can even congratulate yourself, you realize that this is a ploy to scam you. This phishing scam has been around for as long as some people are reading, and it is not going anywhere soon. Be aware of it, be cautious, and block a number when you see a text using the scam.
4) The Account Info Scam (Need to Verify Your Password)
So you just got a text message telling you that your bank account has been accessed, and you need to verify your details to ensure that no one can touch your funds again. While it may seem like this scam would be apparent, it has stolen millions from people by allowing scammers to masquerade as Fortune 500 banks trying to secure account information.
Any business you work with, financial or otherwise, will not try to get your personal information over a text correspondence. If you have noticed that your bank has tried to do this, you must report the number and inquire at your bank. If you haven’t called the business yourself and they are requesting information, you should also block the number.
5) Free Fortune Scam (Bitcoin, Money, Stock Scams)
If someone is reaching out to you out of the blue to say you can take over their five-digit crypto wallet, they are more than likely not sincere with their offer. These seem innocent at first but usually involve lengthy information requests, which will be used against you later once they have details you don’t want to be divulged to the public.
The scam typically involves very predatorial blackmail tactics and usually consists of taking advantage of older folks less attuned to modern technology.
6) Verify Your Package (Delivery Scam)
At all times, most people are usually expecting a package nowadays. The post-pandemic economy has shifted towards people spending much more money shopping online, which has also inadvertently grown different delivery scams. These will ask for sensitive information such as your address or even cash for “shipping fees.”
7) Credit Card Scam
The average person has between three and four credit cards. The vast number of credit cards has resulted in a thriving economy of scammers and credit card cons you need to be aware of. If a text tells you that your statement is ready, your account has been accessed, or your payment has been made, verify it with the company.
Nearly all credit card companies have a customer support line that you can use to verify whether or not the number you got a text from is legitimate. Similarly, they can also check if they made the call or if it was a spoofed line.
8) The “Confirm Your Account” Con
If you need to confirm your account, you enter your personal information and wait for an e-mail confirmation. The problem is those questions you answered, and the security details you entered could also be used across several of your accounts. Scammers know this and will try to see if your account has been locked through text.
If you get a text message saying an account needs a password change or you need to authenticate an account, reach out to customer service. You should always verify the accuracy of a text message before you consent to reveal any personal, financial, or sensitive details about yourself or your family members.
9) Family Member Scam (Someone You Know Has Been Hurt!)
A text message scam that has often been used on vulnerable elders and those who aren’t as technologically proficient, the family member scam is gross and deeply troubling. The thread of this ploy is that a family member you know (which helps make them seem authentic) is either in a dangerous foreign jail, severely injured, or in dire financial straits.
Folks will assume because the number knows their family member, it must be from a reliable source. The truth is finding someone’s extended family online is far from impossible and is getting easier every day. If you are concerned about a family member, contact them and their closest associates before you start throwing hundreds at a random text.
10) The Fake Text Receipt (Thanks for Your $500 Purchase!)
An interesting twist on some of the earlier scams: this one prays on your foggy memory and will usually target those more vulnerable to text scams. The idea is that you spent an absurd amount of money either by accident or because someone else has your account. Naturally, the only way to get the money back is to enter your personal details.
Always check with the company before entering any personal information, and ensure that you are not giving financial information to sketchy websites or companies that are not well-trusted.
A Few Tips To Consider

If you are trying to keep your bank account secure and your messages free from scam attempts, be careful where you enter your personal information. Whether you are giving your e-mail address, phone number, or credit card information to a website, you must know that the data can be used against you later.
So be selective about where you enter personal details, and always be paranoid when a random number requests money, information, or anything you find invasive. Similarly, always double-check with a company or institution before responding to text requests.