Is This Text Message a Scam?
Unexpected texts about packages, banks, account problems, prizes, or urgent payments can be scams. A familiar company name or logo does not make a message legitimate.
What’s happening?
Scammers often use text messages to pretend to be banks, delivery companies, government agencies, businesses, or even someone you know.
How these scams work
- The message may come from an unknown number.
- It may pretend to be a bank, delivery company, government agency, or family member.
- It may ask you to click a link, send money, or share a code.
The message may try to get you to click a link, provide information, or send money.
Common warning signs
Be cautious if a text:
- Says you must act immediately
- Claims there is a problem with your account
- Asks you to click an unexpected link
- Requests a password or verification code
- Asks for payment
- Claims you won a prize
- Comes from an unfamiliar number
- Uses unusual wording or creates fear
What you should do
- Don't click unexpected links.
- Don't reply with personal or financial information.
- If the message claims to be from a company, contact that company through its official website or normal app.
- If it claims to be from someone you know, contact that person using a phone number or method you already trust.
- Delete or report the message if you're confident it's a scam.
Stop here
Don't click the link just to find out where it goes.
Don't call a phone number provided by a suspicious message.
If you're unsure whether the message is legitimate, verify it independently before taking action.
If an unexpected message, pop-up, or caller is pressuring you to pay, call a number, install software, or share a code, do not follow those instructions until you have verified the situation independently.
Never use the contact information inside a suspicious message to verify whether the message is real.
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