April 16th, 2025
New data from the Federal Trade Commission show that in 2024, consumers reported losing $470 million to scams that started with text messages. This amount is five times higher than what was reported in 2020, even though the number of reports declined.
The most commonly reported type of text scam was fake package delivery, where scammers send alerts about a supposed issue with an incoming delivery. Bogus job opportunities were also common, including “task scams,” which involve promises of online work requiring people to complete a series of online tasks and end up with requests for people to invest their own money.
Other text message scams reported frequently were fake “fraud alert” messages sent to consumers warning about a suspicious purchase or an issue with their bank; warnings about fake unpaid tolls with a link to pay them; and “wrong number” scams that start as a seemingly misdirected message. Wrong number scams often evolve into a conversation with romantic undertones that can lead to investment and other scams.
The spotlight includes advice for consumers on how to handle text message scams, including:
Forwarding messages to 7726 (SPAM). This helps your wireless provider spot and block similar messages.
Reporting on either the Apple iMessages app or Google Messages app for Android users.
Reporting to the FTC at http://ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
The spotlight also has advice on how to avoid text message scams:
Never click on links or respond to unexpected texts. If you think it might be legit, contact the company using a phone number or website you know is real. Don’t use the information in the text message.
Filter unwanted texts before they reach you. There are a few ways to block unwanted texts.
What To Do About Spam Text Messages
If you get a text message you weren’t expecting and it asks you to give some personal or financial information, don’t click on any links. Legitimate companies won’t ask for information about your account by text.
If you think the message might be real, contact the company using a phone number or website you know is real. Not the information in the text message.
There are many ways to filter unwanted text messages or stop them before they reach you:
On your phone Your phone may have an option to filter and block spam or messages from unknown senders. In order to to filter and block messages on an iPhone, visit https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201229 and to block a phone number on an Android phone, visit .https://support.google.com/phoneapp/answer/6325463
Through your wireless provider Your wireless provider might have a tool or service that lets you block calls and text messages. Check out ctia.org, a website from the wireless industry, to learn about options from different providers.
With a call-blocking app Some call-blocking apps also let you block unwanted text messages. Go to ctia.org for a list of call-blocking apps for Android, BlackBerry, Apple, and Windows phones, or search for an app online. Check out the features, user ratings, and expert reviews. back...
The most commonly reported type of text scam was fake package delivery, where scammers send alerts about a supposed issue with an incoming delivery. Bogus job opportunities were also common, including “task scams,” which involve promises of online work requiring people to complete a series of online tasks and end up with requests for people to invest their own money.
Other text message scams reported frequently were fake “fraud alert” messages sent to consumers warning about a suspicious purchase or an issue with their bank; warnings about fake unpaid tolls with a link to pay them; and “wrong number” scams that start as a seemingly misdirected message. Wrong number scams often evolve into a conversation with romantic undertones that can lead to investment and other scams.
The spotlight includes advice for consumers on how to handle text message scams, including:
Forwarding messages to 7726 (SPAM). This helps your wireless provider spot and block similar messages.
Reporting on either the Apple iMessages app or Google Messages app for Android users.
Reporting to the FTC at http://ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
The spotlight also has advice on how to avoid text message scams:
Never click on links or respond to unexpected texts. If you think it might be legit, contact the company using a phone number or website you know is real. Don’t use the information in the text message.
Filter unwanted texts before they reach you. There are a few ways to block unwanted texts.
What To Do About Spam Text Messages
If you get a text message you weren’t expecting and it asks you to give some personal or financial information, don’t click on any links. Legitimate companies won’t ask for information about your account by text.
If you think the message might be real, contact the company using a phone number or website you know is real. Not the information in the text message.
There are many ways to filter unwanted text messages or stop them before they reach you:
On your phone Your phone may have an option to filter and block spam or messages from unknown senders. In order to to filter and block messages on an iPhone, visit https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201229 and to block a phone number on an Android phone, visit .https://support.google.com/phoneapp/answer/6325463
Through your wireless provider Your wireless provider might have a tool or service that lets you block calls and text messages. Check out ctia.org, a website from the wireless industry, to learn about options from different providers.
With a call-blocking app Some call-blocking apps also let you block unwanted text messages. Go to ctia.org for a list of call-blocking apps for Android, BlackBerry, Apple, and Windows phones, or search for an app online. Check out the features, user ratings, and expert reviews. back...
