Although mobile phones don’t get viruses the same way computers do, there are still substantial security risks to be aware of when you use your mobile phone. Smishing is one of the most common ways hackers try to get your information through your mobile phone.

This article explains what smishing is and how to avoid being smished. Keep reading to find the answers to your most frequent questions and concerns about smishing.

Smishing Defined

Smishing is a cybersecurity attack where a scammer uses text messages to trick you into giving out your information. These smishing text messages include malicious links that ask you to enter your Social Security Number, credit card information, passwords, and other sensitive information.

→ Dig Deeper: Social Security Numbers Easily Cracked

While many people know about common email and phone scams, some are not familiar with text message scams. As a result, they fall for smishing scams and unconsciously give their information away.

If you are smished, scammers might sign up for credit cards in your name, hack your bank account, or steal your identity. That’s why it’s important to know what smishing looks like and how to avoid it.

Phishing vs. Smishing

The word “smishing” is a combination of the words “SMS” and “phishing.” Smishing is a form of phishing that falls under the broader phishing umbrella, along with vishing and whaling. The modus operandi and defining characteristics of smishing are done through SMS messages instead of email.

Like phishing scammers who send emails with strange attachments or links, smishing scammers send fake text messages. Phishing and smishing are the same except for their delivery method, email vs. text messages.

→ Dig Deeper: What Is Smishing and Vishing, and How Do You Protect Yourself?

Types and Examples of Smishing Attacks

All smishing attacks are done through text messages. Depending on the type of attack, the scammers might be looking to steal different information from you. The most common types of smishing involve passwords, malware, and financial attacks.

In all cases, smishing works because you enter your information into a website or a text message. As such, never give out your information unless you completely trust the website or the person you’re texting. For reference, here are some of the most common types and examples of smishing:

Password Attacks

In smishing password attacks, scammers set up a fake website that looks very similar to a real one. The scammer asks you to sign in to your account using a certain link. Since the website looks real, you might have to type in your password.

The smisher might say that your account has been compromised, there’s an important message that needs to be read, or that your credit card will be charged unless you sign in. This modus is especially common for bank websites. Bank smishing, in which a scammer tricks you into giving your bank username and password, is one of the most common types of smishing.

→ Dig Deeper: Tips For Creating Bulletproof Passwords

Malware Attacks

Scammers might also try to trick you into downloading malware apps. This type of smishing attack is more common on Android phones because they have fewer restrictions on app downloads than iOS devices.

If you download a fake app, information like your location, contacts, and passwords could be stolen. Therefore, only download apps directly from the manufacturer’s store to ensure you never accidentally download malware.

→ Dig Deeper: How to Quickly Remove Malware in 2023

Financial Scam Attacks

If the scammers don’t send you a fake website or app, they might send you texts that try to convince you to send them money instead. They might pretend to be someone you know or financial personnel who offer a get-rich-quick scam in exchange for an upfront payment.

→ Dig Deeper: 7 Ways to Tell If It’s a Fake

This type of smishing attack is especially effective against less tech-savvy people or those who have never been educated about online scams. Older people are more likely to be the victims of a financial smishing attack.

How to Spot a Smishing Text?

Smishing messages often share warning signs that can help you recognize and avoid them. Use this quick smishing red flag checklist to spot suspicious texts before you click or reply:

  • Unusual or Short Sender Numbers: Texts from odd numbers, such as email-to-text gateways or 4–5-digit senders like “5000”, are a common smishing indicator.
  • Unknown or Unexpected Senders: If you don’t recognize the sender or weren’t expecting a message, treat it as suspicious and avoid opening it.
  • Suspicious, Shortened, or Odd URLs: Smishing messages often include unfamiliar links. Never tap a link unless you fully trust the sender, and even then, confirm they intended to send it.
  • Grammar Mistakes or Strange Characters: Many fake messages contain misspellings, unusual punctuation, or awkward phrasing, all classic signs of a scam.
  • Unexpected Verification Requests: Messages claiming you must “verify your account”, “reset your password”, or “confirm personal information” are designed to trick you into giving up data.
  • Payment or Urgent Action Demands: Smishers often try to provoke panic, claiming you owe money, your account is locked, or you must act immediately to avoid consequences.
  • QR Code Prompts: Some modern smishing attacks use QR codes instead of links to bypass hesitation and hide malicious destinations.

Can You Get Hacked by Responding to a Text?

Whether or not you can get hacked by responding to a text depends on what information you disclose. If you don’t say anything that can be used to hack you, like a password, username, or personally identifiable information, just responding to a text doesn’t mean you’ll get hacked.

Still, it’s better to avoid responding to scammers’ texts altogether. By responding to a fake text, you’re telling the scammers that you’re willing to talk to them and that they might be able to trick you if they try hard enough. If you receive a text you think is a smishing attack, ignore it.

 How To Block Smishing on iPhone & Android

The easiest way to block smishing attempts is to prevent suspicious texts from reaching you in the first place. Ignoring and avoiding unfamiliar senders remains one of the strongest defenses. If you don’t engage, scammers can’t trick you.

On iPhone (iOS)

  1. Enable Filter Unknown Senders:
    Go to Settings > Messages > Filter Unknown Senders. This automatically separates messages from people who aren’t in your contacts.
  2. Report Junk Messages
    Tap Report Junk below a suspicious message to forward it to Apple and your carrier.
  3. Block Specific Numbers:
    Open the message > tap the sender > Block this Caller.

On Android

  1. Turn On Spam Protection
    Open Messages > Settings > Spam Protection to filter suspected smishing texts automatically.
  2. Block or Report Senders
    Long‑press the text > choose Block or Report Spam.
  3. Use Carrier Filtering Tools
    Most carriers (Verizon, T‑Mobile, AT&T) offer built‑in SMS spam filters that silently block smishing messages before they reach your phone.

Protect Your Phone from Smishing

Avoiding smishing attacks takes awareness and proactive mobile security. Legitimate businesses, including the IRS and Social Security Administration, will never ask you to provide passwords, PINs, or personal information through a text message. Any unexpected request for sensitive data should immediately raise red flags.

If you receive a smishing text, report it to your local cybersecurity authorities or your mobile carrier. Staying alert helps protect both you and others by cutting off active scam operations. As long as you avoid clicking unknown links, sharing information, or interacting with suspicious senders, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to smishing.

Strengthen Protection With McAfee

For stronger, always‑on protection, McAfee Mobile Security helps detect malicious links in text messages and blocks mobile threats before they can reach your device. McAfee Mobile Security scans risky URLs, blocks fraudulent sites, protects your identity, and monitors for device threats in real time, helping you safeguard your personal information from smishing attacks.