Text or SMS scams
This short guide is a reference tool to help refresh your knowledge or practise what you have learned in the Text or SMS scams online course, including:
- how to identify and avoid text and SMS scams
- how to protect yourself from text and SMS scams
- what to do if you are the victim of a text or SMS scam.
What are text and SMS scams?
Text or SMS scams are messages that are sent to smartphones to defraud you. They aim to steal your money, access your credit cards and sell your personal details on the internet to use in other scams.
SMS: Stands for Short Message Service and is the default way to message on many smartphones.
Texts: Are any other way of messaging that involves a short text sent via an app. Some of these apps include WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
What a scam message looks like
A scam message will usually look like it comes from a legitimate source, such as a business, a bank, the government, or even a friend. The message will:
- say there's some kind of problem or urgent issue, such as one of your accounts being hacked
- encourage you to take immediate steps to fix the problem
- ask you tap on a link or call a special number.
The link or number will lead to a fake website or scammer, and you may be deceived into giving up personal details such as your passwords or financial information.
Do not tap or click links in the message or open attachments.
If you think a message is suspicious, you can use messaging app features to:
- Delete the message
- Block future messages from the sender
- Report the sender as a scam
You can also report scam messages to Scamwatch and sign up to its newsletter to receive alerts about the latest scams.
Some scammers try to make friends
Sometimes a text or SMS will deliberately call you by the wrong name. If you reply saying it’s a wrong number, the scammer will:
- apologise and offer to make friends
- try to start a long conversation with you
- try to earn your trust over one or more conversations
- eventually ask you for money.
You should ignore any message that admits to having contacted you in error.
Some scam messages can look real
Sometimes it can be difficult to spot when a message is from a scammer. Scammers can use spoofing to make it look like the text comes from the real number of a company or even a person you know.
You can still avoid these scams by not clicking on any links in the message or tapping any phone numbers.
If you believe the sender is genuine, but are concerned, contact the person or organisation using details you find yourself to confirm they sent the message. You can:
- contact individuals via phone, email or social media
- contact organisations using information on their official website, or printed communications, such as a letterhead or bank statement.
Only tap a link if you are certain the message is genuine.
What to do if you receive a scam message
If you believe a message may be a scam, you should follow these steps:
- Never click on any links in the message.
- Delete the message.
- Help others know about the scam by reporting it to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) ScamWatch website at www.scamwatch.gov.au.
You can always call the company that the email appears to be from directly. Just be sure to use your own contact information – not anything in the email.
It’s safe to ignore scam SMS and text messages
The easiest way to avoid text and SMS scams is to ignore messages unless you are certain you know the sender, or to verify the message independently.
- Scam messages are not personal and target people randomly.
- Scammers only care about people who respond and won't waste time chasing you if you don't reply.
What to do if you are a victim of a scam message
Text and SMS scammers want to access your money, make purchases in your name, and steal your personal information to sell online. If you think you've been scammed:
- Contact your financial institutions and ask for the fraud department.
- Change your most important passwords, such as for your email, Apple ID, or a Microsoft account.
- Contact IDCARE at www.idcare.org or call IDCARE on 1800 595 160.
- Apply for a Commonwealth Victim's Certificate, which can help any claims you might need to make that you have been a victim of identity crime.