What Is Smishing?
Smishing (SMS phishing) is a fraud technique where scammers send text messages impersonating trusted institutions or services, containing malicious links designed to steal personal information or install malware.
Smishing — SMS phishing — is a fraud technique where attackers send text messages impersonating banks, delivery services, government agencies, or other trusted institutions to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or revealing sensitive information. While robocalls are the primary voice channel for senior-targeted fraud, smishing is increasingly used as a complementary attack — often as a follow-up to a robocall that didn't get answered.
Common Smishing Scripts in 2025–2026
- Delivery notification: "Your USPS/FedEx/Amazon package requires action. Click here to confirm your delivery address." — The link leads to a credential-harvesting site that captures name, address, and credit card information.
- Bank fraud alert: "ALERT: Unusual activity detected on your [Bank Name] account. Click to verify." — Links to a spoofed banking login page designed to steal credentials.
- Government benefit claim: "You have an unclaimed Social Security benefit waiting. Click to claim before [date]." — Harvests Social Security numbers and personal details.
- Two-factor authentication bypass: Follows a vishing call where the caller "needs to text you a code to verify your identity." The code they send is actually your bank's 2FA code, which they use to authorize fraud on your account in real time.
Key Defense
Never click links in unexpected text messages, regardless of the apparent sender. If a text appears to be from a real institution, navigate directly to their official website or call their verified number. Callro's call blocking does not cover SMS content, but blocking the underlying robocall infrastructure reduces the number of coordination calls that enable smishing follow-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is smishing?
Smishing (SMS phishing) is a fraud technique using text messages that impersonate trusted institutions — banks, delivery services, or government agencies — to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or revealing sensitive personal information.
How do I identify a smishing text?
Look for unexpected urgency, unfamiliar short codes or phone numbers, links with misspelled domain names, and requests for information you didn't initiate. Legitimate banks and government agencies do not send unsolicited texts asking you to click links and enter credentials or personal information.
What should I do if I receive a smishing text?
Do not click any links. Do not reply. If the text appears to be from a real institution, contact that institution directly using a number or website you look up independently. Report the smishing message to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your carrier by forwarding the text to 7726 (SPAM).
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