The Rise of Smishing Scams

A disturbing trend has emerged as scammers resort to SMS phishing, commonly known as smishing. This approach involves sending fraudulent text messages that often claim recipients owe money for various services, such as highway tolls and package deliveries.

FBI and FTC Alerts

Both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have issued warnings regarding these scams. They report that victims have been receiving texts falsely asserting unpaid tolls. The messages usually specify an amount owed and provide a link urging immediate payment.

“Not only is the scammer trying to steal your money, but if you click the link, they could get your personal info (like your driver’s license number) — and even steal your identity.” — Andrew Rayo, Consumer Education Specialist at the FTC.

According to reports, these deceptive texts typically feature similar language, targeting residents across various states and utilizing links designed to impersonate legitimate toll service providers.

Expanded Tactics: Delivery Scams

Recent analysis by Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42 highlights an expansion in smishing tactics, where scams now also target individuals expecting package deliveries. With over 10,000 fraudulent domains registered for this purpose, the risks have risen significantly.

Scammers are actively impersonating tolling agencies and package delivery services in multiple states, including California, Florida, and Texas, among others.

Protecting Yourself from Text Scams

The FTC recommends several strategies to safeguard yourself against these scams:

• Do not engage with unexpected texts; avoid clicking on any links provided.
• If uncertain about the legitimacy of a toll claim, contact the relevant agency using verified contact information rather than the details in the suspicious text.
• Report any spam messages using your phone’s “report junk” feature or forward them to 7726 (SPAM).
• After reporting, delete the messages from your device.