10 Common Spam Text Message Examples & How to Spot Them

Summary 

Spam texts cost Americans $470 million in 2024 alone. This guide shows you 10 real examples of SMS scams—from fake delivery alerts to “Hi Mum” emergencies—plus red flags to watch for and steps to protect yourself. Learn how to spot smishing before it costs you money or personal data.

What Is Smishing & Why It Matters

Smishing (SMS + phishing) is a type of phishing cyberattack in which scammers send you fraudulent texts in an effort to obtain your personal information, get you to click on malicious links, or send money.

While spam text messages are usually advertising products, smishing messages are designed to steal from you. The goal is always to create urgency, fear, or excitement so you ignore your usual carefulness. The aim is the same as phishing: to get you to act before you think.

Why Smishing Works So Well

Text Messages Seem More Personal

According to a team of security researchers at Norton, “texts feel more urgent and trustworthy than email,” which is a main reason smishing is emerging as one of the fastest-growing mobile fraud types.

Almost Everything Is Hidden on Mobile Screens

The tiny font, shortened URLs, and other red flags are camouflaged.

Urgency

Text messages often cause users to bypass judgment and the typical thinking pause.

Everyone Uses a Mobile Device

SMS, unlike phishing emails, can be received by virtually everyone.

The outcome can be terrible: identity theft, drained checking account, ransomware, or your private data is sold on the dark web.

10 Common Spam Text Message Examples

Text message scams can show up in many different ways, but most of these fit into a few categories, and within those categories, the scams have predictable structures. Knowing the categories will help you recognize certain scams when you receive a suspicious text on your phone.

Below are 10 categories of spam text message examples that frequently show up in FTC and FBI reports, along with relevant patterns and examples.

1. Package Delivery Alerts

These messages claim that there is a problem with a package delivery, and ask you to click a link to fix it. The FTC warns that these messages intend to steal payment information or download malware using malicious links.

Example 1 – USPS Scam

Example 2 – FedEx Scam

Example 3 – UPS Scam

Why These Work

Given how common online shopping is, many people might expect notifications about packages, which makes it easy for people to fall into it. But no carrier will ever ask you to pay by text or request personal info via text.

2. Family Emergency or “Hi Mum” Scam

This scam takes advantage of fear and love. Scammers pretend to be a family member in distress—perhaps, most recognizable is a child texting a parent with “Hi Mum” or “Hi Dad.”

Example 1-  New Number

Example 2 – Unknown Number

Example 3 – New Number

Example 4 – Hospital Scam

Why These Work

These scams take advantage of family love and protective instincts, and often the urgency of the situation prevents you from confirming the story with other family members.

3. Fake Prizes or Gift Cards

The scam messages entice you with free rewards or reward you for entering a contest you never entered, or say you have won money, gift cards, or prizes in a contest.

Example 1 – Walmart Gift Card

Example 2 – iPhone Giveaway

Example 3 – Cash Prize

Why These Work

People like to win things for free, and the misleading time limits (“expires in 24 hours”) create urgency in making impulsive decisions before thinking. These texts prey on excitement and blindside the judgement of many individuals. Remember, if you haven’t entered a contest, you cannot win a prize.

4. Refund/Overpayment Notices

In refund scams, you are told you are getting money back, either from a retailer, utility company, or even the IRS. Scammers are attempting to deceive you into filling in bank information, or clicking on a link that may deliver malware. The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) published their report stating that overpayment and refund fraud are commonly used as bait in text-based scams.

Example 1 – Tax Refund

Example 2 – Utility Overpayment

Example 3 – Insurance Refund

Why These Work

Refund scams commonly pretend to be from financial institutions that you already trust, which makes them particularly dangerous, and the opportunity for “free money” that you supposedly owe feels real and exciting.

5. Bank or Account Suspension Alerts

This is one of the most alarming types of smishing. Fraudsters pose as your bank, credit card company, or even Amazon/PayPal, claiming your account is locked or suspicious charges appeared. The FTC notes these are designed to trigger panic, so you’ll click immediately.

Example 1 – Bank Account Freeze

Example 2 – Credit Card Block

Example 3 – PayPal Suspension

Why These Work

Fear of losing access to your money creates panic, making you act without carefully checking the message source.

6. Toll Payment Scams

The FBI issued public warnings in 2023 and 2024 about fraudulent texts claiming unpaid tolls. Victims were told to pay small amounts (like $11–$15) to avoid penalties. These scams redirect victims to phishing sites where payment details are stolen. The FBI Atlanta office specifically flagged scams involving the Georgia Peach Pass system.

Example 1 – E-Z Pass

Example 2 – SunPass

Example 3 – Peach Pass

Why These Work

The FBI has specifically warned about these scams because they combine official-sounding language with fear of legal consequences.

7. Texts From Your Own Number (Spoofing)

Spoofing makes a text look like it came from your own phone number, or sometimes a friend’s number. This is achieved by manipulating caller ID systems. Verizon, AT&T, and other carriers reported massive spikes in spoof-text complaints in 2022–2024. The FCC warns that spoofed messages are almost always fraudulent.

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Example 4

Why These Work

Seeing your own number as the sender creates confusion and curiosity, making the message seem more credible or urgent.

8. Wrong-Number / “Pig Butchering” Scam

These scams start with a casual wrong-number text, then evolve into friendly chats, romance-style manipulation, and eventually fraudulent investment pitches.

Example 1 – Casual Mistake

Example 2 – Business Mix-up

Example 3 – Social Event

Why These Work

When you respond to correct the “mistake,” scammers begin building a relationship that slowly leads to requests for money or personal information.

9. Fake Amazon Refund Scams

These are messages claiming to be from Amazon about refunds, suspicious orders, or account issues.

Example 1 – Refund Processing

Example 2 – Suspicious Order

Example 3 – Account Verification

Why These Work

With Amazon being so widely used, these messages seem plausible, especially when they reference specific dollar amounts or products.

10. Fake Job Opportunities

These scams promise easy income, flexible hours, or work-from-home roles. The FTC warns that job-related scams delivered by text often trick people into paying upfront “fees” for training or equipment, or funnel them into money mule schemes. Reports of bogus job texts surged after the pandemic as scammers exploited high demand for remote work.

Example 1 – Work From Home

Example 2 – Mystery Shopper

Example 3 – Task-Based Work

Why These Work

With economic uncertainty and remote work popularity, these offers target people looking for legitimate employment opportunities.

How to Spot Spam Text Messages (Red Flags)

Unexpected Sender or Unknown Number

Use caution if you receive a text from a number you do not know. Banks, delivery companies, and government agencies do not usually send texts from a random cell phone number. They more often send messages from a short code or an official app.

Urgent or Fear-Inducing Language

“Act now,” “final notice,” and “your account will be closed” are common rhetoric used to create urgency or panic in order to entice the receiver to click before thinking. Legitimate companies would give you the opportunity to act and communicate across a variety of channels.

Suspicious or Shortened Links

Another common smishing tactic is to use links that are shortened (like bit.ly or tinyurl) or the domain contains a typo (amazom.com instead of amazon.com). Also, be suspicious of any links that do not match the sender (text claims to be from Apple but can link to a completely different domain).

Requests for Personal or Financial Information

No bank, retailer, or government agency will ever ask for social security numbers, credit card information, or account credentials via text. If a text message asks you for that, it is a scam.

Too-Good-to-Be-True Offers

If it feels unrealistic, it is. These scams prey on hope and curiosity.

• Promises of free money, prizes, or expensive items
• “You’ve won!” messages for contests you never entered
• Guaranteed high-paying jobs requiring no experience or skills
• Exclusive offers that seem impossibly generous

Unusual Tone or Grammar Errors

Many scam texts originate overseas and contain broken English, odd phrasing, or typos. A sloppy tone is a classic warning sign.

Spoofed Messages from Yourself or Familiar Contacts

Seeing a text from your own number or a friend who didn’t actually send it is unsettling:

• Family members asking for money via text instead of calling
• Friends using formal language or different communication patterns
• Urgent requests that seem out of character
• Requests to keep situations secret from other family members

Generic or Vague Content

Getting generic or vague messages that could apply to anyone is a sign of a scam (“Your package is waiting”). Vague threats without specific details about what you supposedly did wrong.

Requests to Download Apps

Some recent scams prompt users to download “tracking” or “security” apps, which are really malware. Always download apps only from official stores.

What to Do If You Receive a Spam Text

Do Not Engage

Do not ever respond to suspicious text messages, even with “STOP.” If you respond to spam text messages, you’re confirming to the sender that your number is active, and it may result in more scam attempts. Responding to any form of spam message could be taken as proof that they are talking to a real person.

Don’t Click Links

Never click links contained in suspicious text messages. If the message you received says it is from a legitimate company, visit their official website or open their app directly to verify authenticity. You can log into your accounts through official channels to see if there are any real alerts, or even better, Call the company’s customer service line to verify any information provided via the text message. You can also get a different device and search for information for the “issue”.

Report Spam Messages

In the United States, forward spam texts to 7726 (SPAM). This helps carriers identify and block scam numbers. In other countries, check your local carrier’s spam-reporting code (e.g., 1909 in India).

Additional reporting:

• Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
• File complaints with your local consumer protection agency
• Report to the company being impersonated (Amazon, your bank, etc.)

Block the Sender

Use your phone’s built-in blocking features.  This won’t stop all scams, but it reduces repeat attempts. Most phones also let you report spam when blocking.

Use Spam Filtering Tools

Both iOS and Android have spam filters built in. Third-party apps like Guardio or carrier services can add extra protection.

Always be cautious so you don’t fall into these scams, but if you clicked by mistake, change your passwords, run antivirus scans, and monitor accounts for unusual charges. Acting quickly can limit damage.

Conclusion

Spam text messages are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but you are not defenseless. With $470 million lost to text scams in 2024, being cautious is not optional; it’s vital to defend your money and your identity.

Pay attention to these signs, including urgency, spammy URLs, requests for your personal details, and messages that appear too good to be true. If in doubt, verify the text from other sources or official representatives before you respond or click.

Share this guide to spotting a scam with friends and family, especially older adults who are very likely being targeted. The more alarmed people who know about these practices, the less effective they will become.

Did you get a suspicious text lately? Share it in the comments below (and please take out any personal details) so that others can learn how to identify a similar scam.

Protect Your Business Communications with DialMyCalls

While scammers abuse SMS for fraud, legitimate businesses use text messaging to build trust and communicate effectively with customers. DialMyCalls provides secure, compliant mass texting services that help you reach your audience without triggering spam filters.

Our platform includes:

Compliance Tools

Two-way SMS Messaging

Delivery Tracking and Analytics

Secure Contact Management

Start your free trial and see how professional SMS communication builds customer trust instead of breaking it.

---

Spam Text Message FAQs

---

What does “SPAM 7726” mean?

“7726” spells out the word “SPAM” on a phone keypad. It’s a reporting system that many of the major U.S. carriers are using to identify and block spam numbers. Every time you forward a message that seems suspicious, it helps protect other users from the same scams.

---

Can scammers really text from my own number?

Yes, through a technique known as number spoofing. Scammers can use technology to make their texts appear to come from any number, including yours. If you ever receive a text from your own number, these are scammers, unequivocally. Do not respond to any of them or click any links.

---

Is it safe to reply “STOP” to spam texts?

No. Replying “STOP” to a spam text will confirm that your number is active and could lead to getting spammed more often. Only respond with “STOP” for a legitimate company where you have given permission to text you. If you are responding to a letter or message from an unknown sender, just block them and delete it.

---

How often do people fall for smishing scams?

The statistics vary, but the FTC reported that total text scam losses are five times what they were before 2020. That means many people have fallen for it. Younger adults are more likely to report a loss, but older adults end up losing more when they are targeted.

---

• Previous Article