Your phone buzzes. It’s a text from what appears to be the U.S. Postal Service — there’s a problem with a package delivery, and you need to click a link to reschedule. It looks reasonable enough, especially if you frequently shop online. And the very fact that you are being texted automatically makes it feel urgent. Allowing your reactions to govern your response without engaging the more factual, critical side of your mind is likely to leave you the victim of a scam.
And unfortunately, this isn’t isolated to scammers impersonating the USPS. Shipping scams can appear to come from any real (or imaginary) shipping company or retailer. Amazon is a commonly imitated company, as are FedEx and UPS.
Text message scams, also known as smishing, have become one of the fastest-growing forms of consumer fraud in the country. According to the FTC’s April 2025 Data Spotlight, reported losses to text scams reached $470 million in 2024, more than five times what was reported just four years earlier in 2020. And because the vast majority of fraud victims never report what happened to them, that figure is extremely unlikely to be accurate. If anything, it is likely significantly low compared to the real losses that Americans experience.
Understanding why these scams work — and what every suspicious text has in common — is the most reliable defense available. Here’s what to know.
Why Text Scams Work Better Than Email Phishing
Over the years, people have gotten used to phishing scams arriving by email. Most people have grown accustomed to treating unsolicited email with at least some degree of skepticism. Spam filters usually catch most of it, and most of us have learned to pause before clicking a link from an unfamiliar sender. Scammers do stay on top of tech trends that help or hurt their ability to turn unsuspecting people into victims. In response to changing trends, they’ve shifted from email phishing to target a channel where our defenses are often lower.
Text messages carry a fundamentally different feeling from email. They feel more personally relevant to you, possibly because they arrive in the same place as daily messages from your family members and closest friends. And according to the FTC, text message open rates are estimated to be as high as 98%, with response rates as high as 45% — compared to roughly 20% and 6% for email, respectively.
Scammers are also counting on the way you emotionally respond to text messages to raise their odds of successfully scamming you. That, in addition to the combination of a near-certain open rate and the ingrained habit most people have of responding quickly to texts, makes the medium ripe for manipulation.
The share of text scam reports where money was actually lost has grown from 5% in 2020 to 11% in 2024. Scammers aren’t just reaching more people — they are always refining their methods to become more effective at converting targets into victims. That matters for those of us who assume we are immune and would instantly recognize any scam when we see one. As we’ve covered in Why Smart People Are Still at Risk of Fraud, being intelligent still leaves you vulnerable to becoming the victim of scams.
The Five Most Reported Text Scams in 2024
The FTC’s analysis of 2024 text fraud reports identified five scam types that together account for roughly half of all text fraud reported to its Consumer Sentinel Network. Each one is worth understanding in detail, because the mechanics reveal exactly what scammers are trying to accomplish.
Fake Package Delivery Problems
The most reported text scam of 2024 involved messages impersonating the U.S. Postal Service, claiming there was a problem with a delivery and directing recipients to a link that resembled the real USPS website. The goal was rarely just a small “redelivery fee”; many of the fake USPS sites were designed to capture credit card numbers or Social Security numbers under the cover of resolving a shipping issue. The scam works most naturally on frequent online shoppers, since they may be expecting a package at any given moment. That makes the premise of the scam feel more immediately plausible.
Phony Job Opportunities
A newer variant that gained significant momentum in 2024 involves unsolicited texts offering vague employment opportunities. These “task scams” offer simple, repetitive work — fraudulently rating products, or writing fake app reviews — with the promise of earnings. At some point, victims are told they must send money to complete tasks or, in some other way, unlock their accumulated balance. Unsurprisingly, there is no money coming back.
Fake Fraud Alerts
Texts impersonating banks and credit unions — warning of suspicious activity or an unauthorized purchase — are among the most effective scams in circulation. They trigger exactly the kind of alarm response that bypasses careful thinking. Victims who reply or call the number provided reach a fake “fraud department” staffed with scammer who escalate the emotional urgency rapidly, ultimately directing them to move funds out of their accounts to a “safe” account. Those funds go directly to the scammer.
This particular pattern is worth understanding in the context of how Latitude 32 Credit Union actually communicates with our members. If you ever receive an unexpected text claiming to be from us about suspicious activity on your account, do not respond to the text or call any number it provides. Contact us directly at (843) 556-4809.
Bogus Unpaid Toll Notices
Like the package delivery scam, texts impersonating toll collection programs work because the premise is entirely plausible. The goal is credit card information, and sometimes Social Security numbers, collected through a fake payment portal.
Fake “Wrong Number” Texts
The most elaborate scam on the FTC’s list begins with what appears to be an innocent misdirected message — a simple “hello” or a question that seems intended for someone else. Responding to correct the mistake is all the opening the scammer needs. A manufactured friendship develops over days or weeks, with the scammer often edging the conversation in a romantic direction before eventually asking for money. The reason they propose for needing the money could be anything from “I need a ticket to come meet you” to “I have an amazing investment opportunity.”
Regardless of how they decide to try to extract money from their target, the victim will be asked to send money directly to the fraudster, or to an apparent third party such as a fraudulent investment platform. Obviously, these victims report losing all the money they send or deposit, often numbering in the tens of thousands of dollars. The investment fraud approach is in line with a broader trend of financial advisor impersonation scams that have been rising sharply in recent years.
The Red Flags Text Scams Have in Common
The five scam types above look different on the surface, but they share a consistent set of structural features. Learning to recognize these patterns is more reliable than trying to identify each specific scam variant, because new variations emerge constantly.
Urgency
Nearly every smishing attempt creates time pressure — your package will be returned! Your account will be suspended! Your fine for late toll payment will increase! Urgency is a mechanism which, if allowed to run its course, bypasses deliberate thinking. When a text message makes you feel like you need to act immediately, that feeling itself is the first red flag.
An unexpected message requiring action
Legitimate institutions — your bank, the postal service, a government agency — do not typically initiate sensitive communications by text and then ask you to click a link or call an unfamiliar number. If you weren’t expecting the contact and it’s asking you to do something, treat it with immediate skepticism.
A link that doesn’t match the claimed source
Before tapping any link in a text, look carefully at the URL. Scammers construct addresses that resemble real ones (usps-delivery-notice. com instead of usps. com, for example) but a close and suspicious look should reveal the mismatch. And if you aren’t sure, a tie means “take no action.” A good tip is that on a smartphone, you can often press and hold a link to preview the URL before opening it.
Requests for personal or financial information
No legitimate organization will ask for your Social Security number, full credit card details, or account login credentials by text message. Full stop. Any text requesting this information — regardless of how official it appears — is a scam.
Unprotected payment methods
Requests to pay via gift card, wire transfer, Zelle, or cryptocurrency are a reliable indicator of fraud. These payment methods are irreversible, which is precisely why scammers prefer them. Legitimate organizations do not request payment this way.
Numbers or domains you don’t recognize. Scammers frequently spoof caller IDs and sender information, but the link destination and the broader context of the message often reveal the truth. A spoofed phone number is meant to provide them with apparent authority and legitimacy, but the fake website is where they are actively attempting to take your money from you. When in doubt, don’t engage with the message at all — go directly to the organization’s official website or call their published number.
The AI-generated dimension of this threat is also worth noting. Scam texts are increasingly sophisticated, grammatically polished, and personalized in ways that weren’t possible a few years ago. The era when you could spot a fraud by its spelling errors is largely over.
What to Do the Moment You Receive a Suspicious Text
The single most important action when you receive a text that raises any of the flags above is simply to not engage with it on its own terms. Don’t tap the link. Don’t reply. Don’t call the number in the message. Don’t download anything it offers or suggests.
If the message claims to be from an organization you actually have a relationship with — your bank, a delivery carrier, a government agency — contact that organization directly using a phone number or web address you find independently, not one provided in the text. Go to the organization’s official website by typing it into your browser. Call the number on the back of your card or on your account statement.
To report the message and help protect others, forward it to 7726 (SPAM). This alerts your wireless carrier, which uses the reports to identify and block similar messages. You can also report text scams directly to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Then feel free to delete the message.
If You Already Clicked, Here’s What to Do Right Now
If you tapped a link, entered information on a website, or responded to a text you now believe was a scam, take these steps immediately and in order.
Contact Latitude 32 first
If there is any possibility that your account information, credit or debit card number, or online banking credentials were exposed, call us at (843) 556-4809 as soon as possible. The sooner we’re aware, the more options are available to protect your account. This applies to any financial institution where you hold accounts: Contact all of them.
Change your passwords
If you entered login credentials anywhere, change those passwords immediately, and change them on any other account where you use the same password. Use a strong, unique password for each account going forward.
Monitor your accounts and credit
Watch your financial statements closely for any transactions you don’t recognize. Review your credit report for any new accounts you didn’t open. You’re entitled to free credit reports from all three major bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Report the scam
File a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. These reports contribute to active investigations and help law enforcement track patterns.
Consider a credit freeze
If you believe your Social Security number or other sensitive identity information was captured, a credit freeze at all three bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — prevents new accounts from being opened in your name with legitimate lenders. It’s free, reversible, and one of the most effective tools available against identity theft.
For a deeper look at how to protect your financial accounts specifically from fraudulent activity, see our posts on how to protect yourself from credit card fraud and recognizing and avoiding imposter scams. The full range of fraud prevention resources Latitude 32 maintains for members is available at the Fraud Prevention & Cybersecurity Resource Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is smishing?
Smishing is a form of phishing scam conducted through text messages rather than email. The term combines “SMS” and “phishing.” Scammers send deceptive texts that impersonate legitimate organizations — banks, delivery services, government agencies — to trick recipients into clicking malicious links, providing sensitive personal information, or sending money.
How much money do text scams cost Americans each year?
According to the FTC’s April 2025 Data Spotlight, reported losses to text scams reached $470 million in 2024 — more than five times the amount reported in 2020. Because the vast majority of fraud victims never report their experience, actual losses are likely significantly higher.
What are the most common text scams right now?
The FTC identified five types that altogether accounted for roughly half of all text fraud reported in 2024: fake package delivery notices impersonating USPS, phony job opportunity or “task scam” offers, fake fraud alerts impersonating banks or retailers, bogus unpaid toll notices, and “wrong number” texts that escalate into investment fraud.
How can I tell if a text message is a scam?
The most reliable indicators are urgent requests, unexpected contact requiring immediate action, links that don’t match the organization’s real domain, requests for personal or financial information, and unusual payment methods such as gift cards or wire transfers. When in doubt, do not engage with the text — contact the organization independently using a verified phone number or website.
Will Latitude 32 ever contact me by text to ask for my account information?
No. Latitude 32 will never ask you to provide account numbers, passwords, PINs, or Social Security numbers via text message. If you receive a text claiming to be from us and requesting any of this information, do not respond — call us directly at (843) 556-4809 to verify.
What should I do if I already responded to a smishing text?
Act immediately: contact Latitude 32 and any other financial institutions where you hold accounts, change your passwords for all affected accounts, monitor your financial statements and credit report for unauthorized activity, and report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI at IC3.gov. If you believe your Social Security number may have been exposed, you should also place a credit freeze with all three major credit bureaus.
What does forwarding a text to 7726 do?
Forwarding suspicious texts to 7726 — which spells SPAM on a phone keypad — reports the message to your wireless carrier. Carriers use these reports to identify and block similar messages across their networks, helping protect other customers from the same scam.