Spam texts hitting Americans at record pace; experts share tips to avoid ‘smishing’ scams

JACKSON, Tenn. — Scam text messages are being reported to the Better Business Bureau in growing numbers, and experts say the problem is getting worse.

Robokiller reports Americans are receiving more than 19 billion spam texts per month.

“It’s a really big problem. In fact, you may be getting more scam texts than you are calls,” Daniel Irwin of the Better Business Bureau said.

What the scams look like

Common scam texts include messages claiming a package was missed or that there is suspicious activity on a bank account. Others include job offers promising high pay for minimal work, then requesting personal or banking details. Some begin as “wrong number” texts that start casual or flirty before shifting into a scam pitch.

These scams are known as “smishing,” short for SMS phishing.

“It’s important to remember that most commercial texts are illegal unless you’ve given explicit permission for someone to text you. So, if you didn’t sign up for it, it’s likely a scam,” Irwin said.

Irwin said all smishing attempts are designed with a common goal.

“Keep in mind that all are designed to create urgency and pressure you into acting before you think,” he said.

Irwin advises that if a message appears legitimate, recipients should verify it by contacting the organization directly using a trusted phone number. The general recommendation, however, is to never respond to unsolicited texts.

“The first is just don’t respond to messages from unknown numbers. The problem is when you respond to a text, they know it’s a live number, and they’re going to sell your number to other scammers, and you’re going to get more texts like that,” Irwin said.

Experts also recommend checking your phone bill regularly for unauthorized charges.

To report a scam to the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker, click here.

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