Four new sneaky text message scams to watch out for
For some mobile users, barely a day goes by without receiving a dodgy text. These scams, known as 'smishing', are popular tools for fraudsters and some are sneakier than others.
Virgin Media O2 blocked 168m suspected fraudulent text messages over the past two years following reports by its customers to 7726, the scam text reporting service. Forwarding the details of a scam text to this number reports the scam to your mobile network and allows them to investigate and block fraudsters.
Fake TikTok job offers, discounts at popular brands, messages about missed parcel deliveries and texts about prize winnings were among the most common reports to Virgin Media O2.
Messages such as these almost always include a phishing link that leads to dodgy sites created to convince you to part with your personal and financial data. But scammers are getting better at disguising their intentions.
Read on to find out the sneakiest scam texts Which? has come across recently, plus how to spot and report a scam text message.
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1. Fake crises
An out-of-the-blue message addresses you by name and tells you that the sender is in an ‘urgent situation’, the ultimate goal is to get you to transfer money to the scammer.
In an example seen by Which?, the scammer claims their mother is in hospital and they need money for their sisters to travel back to help her.
This text is designed to induce panic and make you act quickly. Of course, none of this is real, but it can catch you off guard if you think a friend is in need.
The message Which? saw also knew the recipient’s name and number, indicating that they could’ve been a victim of spear-phishing attack, which is when fraudsters send specific scam messages that use your personal information to make them appear more convincing.
The only thing that gave this message away was that the recipient couldn't place the name of the sender and so concluded it was a scam.
2. Mobile network impersonation
A text that tells you EE has ‘failed to take payment for your recent bill’ includes a dodgy link to ‘change your account information.’
This link in the message sends recipients to a website impersonating EE, which asks for your account information in order to bill you.
Another similar text claims to be from phone carrier Vodafone and tells you that your contract will be 'disabled' as you haven’t accepted the new terms and conditions. You’re then prompted to follow a dodgy link to accept these.
3. ‘Hi mum’ text
We’ve seen these ‘Hi mum’ texts, which impersonate adult children to try to panic you into transferring money for fake emergencies for years. Sadly, many are caught out by these messages.
Often, the text will tell you to contact the sender on a different number, which will belong to the scammer, so they can continue their story before asking you for cash.
4. Missed delivery Evri text
A scam text impersonating Evri tells you that your package can’t be delivered due to missing or incorrect information and relies on the fact that many people who receive it will be waiting on a delivery.
It gives you a link to follow, which takes you to a copycat website and instructs you to reply 'Y' to the message 'to activate the link'.
How to spot and report scam texts
Any unexpected text messages from numbers you don’t recognise should be treated with suspicion and in most cases, ignored.
Here are some other signs that the text you’ve received is a scam message:
- It asks for your personal details or money.
- It includes a link – as a general rule of thumb, never follow a link from a text message.
- It features spelling and grammar mistakes.
- It urges you to take action – whether that's to transfer money to a friend in need or update billing details, you should always treat these requests with caution.
If you receive a scam text, you can report it by forwarding the message to 7726. This reports it to your network provider, which can then investigate the scam.
If you lose any money to a scam, call your bank immediately using the number on the back of your bank card and report it to Action Fraud, or call the police on 101 if you’re in Scotland.
Sign up for scam alerts
Our emails will alert you to scams doing the rounds, and provide practical advice to keep you one step ahead of fraudsters.
Sign up for scam alerts
