Most common texting scams have very telling red flags. Learn how to spot and avoid a text messaging scam in this blog.

With the rise of text messages for business and government use, we’ve also seen a rise in text message scams. Keep an eye out for these frequently used texting scams! Most common texting scams have very telling red flags. 

Avoid these text message scams:

Text Messages From Eleven Digit Numbers 

If you receive a text message from an unusually long mobile number, the chances that it is a scam are very high. 

It is common practice for legitimate SMS messages to be sent from their business number. Even if the text message includes the name of a legitimate company, not unidentified mobile numbers

Another red flag is if you did not elect to receive messages from the company that is now sending you messages from an 11-digit number. Ignore the message; do not click or respond to the text.

Messages From The Government

Government agencies and offices do not request payments or process documents via mobile message.

Never give personal information, click a link or respond to text messages from government agencies claiming you owe a debt you must now pay or are eligible to receive some sort of payment (e.g. raffle, refund, etc.). Government agencies do not conduct monetary transactions through texts.

Texts Asking you to claim a Prize or Refund

If you receive a message announcing that you have won a contest you knew nothing about and now need to claim your prize, do not engage. Unless you know you entered said contest, it is a scam!

If a message claims you are eligible for a refund and is asking you to take certain steps to receive the refund, it is also likely a scam. Legitimate refunds will never be returned through texting.

These scam messages usually require you to provide personal or banking information in order to receive a prize that does not exist. These contest scams usually lead to identity theft.

If you receive any messages that look like they fit the above criteria,  the best course of action is to delete or block the number from your mobile device. Do not click on any link within the text message nor should you share personal information.

For more information, check out our blog where we cover a variety of SMS related topics.