How to Prevent Smishing (SMS Phishing): 9 Essential Safeguards for Your Phone

That urgent text message claiming to be from your bank might actually be from a scammer trying to steal your personal information. Smishing attacks—phishing scams delivered via SMS text messages—have surged by 328% in recent years according to the Federal Communications Commission, making them one of the fastest-growing threats to your digital security.

As our phones become central to our digital lives, cybercriminals are increasingly targeting this personal device that’s almost always within arm’s reach. Unlike email phishing which many users have learned to identify, text message scams can catch even security-conscious individuals off guard with their immediacy and personal nature.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about smishing: how to identify these deceptive messages, the protective measures you should implement immediately, and what to do if you’ve already fallen victim to an attack. Let’s secure your mobile device against this pervasive threat.

What Exactly Is Smishing and Why Is It So Dangerous?

Smishing (a blend of “SMS” and “phishing”) refers to fraudulent text messages designed to trick you into revealing sensitive information or installing malware on your device. These scams leverage our tendency to trust text messages more than emails—research from security firm Proofpoint shows that text messages have an open rate of 98%, compared to just 20% for emails, making them particularly effective for cybercriminals.

What makes smishing especially dangerous is its direct, personal nature. Texts create a sense of urgency that bypasses our usual caution. When your phone buzzes with a message claiming your account has been compromised or a package delivery has failed, your instinct is often to respond immediately rather than carefully evaluate the message’s legitimacy.

Common smishing tactics include:

• Fake delivery notifications from shipping companies like FedEx or UPS
• Urgent banking alerts about “suspicious activity”
• Messages claiming to be from government agencies like the IRS
• Fake refund offers or gift card promotions
• COVID-19 related scams about testing, vaccines, or financial assistance
• Fake notifications about account logins or password resets

9 Essential Strategies to Protect Yourself from Smishing Attacks

1. Never Click Links in Unexpected Text Messages

The single most important rule for preventing smishing attacks is to avoid clicking on links in text messages you weren’t expecting—even if they appear to come from trusted organizations. Cybersecurity experts at the FTC emphasize that legitimate businesses rarely request sensitive information via text message. Instead of clicking a suspicious link, go directly to the company’s official website by typing the URL into your browser or using their official app.

If you receive a text claiming to be from your bank about suspicious activity, don’t click the link. Instead, call the customer service number on the back of your bank card or log into your banking app directly. This simple habit—avoiding direct interaction with unexpected links—can prevent the vast majority of smishing attacks from succeeding.

2. Install a Reliable Mobile Security Solution

A comprehensive mobile security solution can provide an additional layer of protection against smishing attacks. Quality security apps can scan links in text messages before you click them, alerting you to potential phishing sites or malware. They can also help identify and block suspicious text messages before they even reach you.

Total Digital Security offers robust protection against mobile threats, including SMS phishing attempts. With real-time scanning capabilities, it can identify malicious links and warn you before you inadvertently compromise your device or personal information. For families managing multiple devices, solutions with parental controls can be particularly valuable in protecting less tech-savvy family members from sophisticated smishing attempts.

3. Enable Spam Filtering on Your Phone

Both Android and iPhone devices have built-in features to help filter spam text messages, though many users don’t realize these protections exist or haven’t activated them. Taking a few minutes to enable these native security features can significantly reduce your exposure to smishing attempts.

For iPhone users running iOS 16 or later:

• Go to Settings > Messages
• Scroll down and turn on “Filter Unknown Senders”
• Enable “Junk Message Filtering”

For Android users (steps may vary slightly depending on your device):

• Open the Messages app
• Tap the three dots in the upper right corner
• Select Settings > Spam protection
• Toggle on “Enable spam protection”

These built-in filters aren’t perfect, but they can catch many obvious smishing attempts before they reach your main message inbox.

4. Verify the Sender’s Information

Scammers often use phone numbers that appear legitimate at first glance, but closer inspection reveals inconsistencies. Pay attention to the sender’s information, particularly for messages claiming to be from businesses or organizations. Legitimate companies typically use short codes (5-6 digit numbers) for mass texting rather than regular phone numbers.

If you receive a text from what appears to be your bank or another service provider, verify the sender by comparing it to previous legitimate messages you’ve received from that organization. Many businesses use consistent short codes for all their communications, making it easier to identify imposters.

Remember that phone numbers can be spoofed, so even if a message appears to come from a legitimate number, remain cautious if the content seems suspicious or requests urgent action.

5. Be Wary of Messages Creating Urgency or Fear

Cybersecurity researchers at the SANS Institute have documented that creating a sense of urgency is one of the most effective tactics used in smishing attacks. Scammers want you to act quickly before you have time to think critically about the message. Any text that claims your account will be locked, you’ll face legal consequences, or you’ll miss out on a limited-time offer is designed to bypass your rational thinking.

Common urgency triggers in smishing texts include:

• “Your account has been compromised—act now!”
• “Final notice: Your package couldn’t be delivered”
• “Suspicious login detected—verify your identity immediately”
• “Your payment method has expired—update now to avoid service interruption”
• “Limited time offer: Claim your free gift in the next 30 minutes”

When you receive messages with these urgency triggers, take a moment to pause and evaluate. Legitimate organizations generally provide reasonable timeframes for action and multiple contact methods—they don’t demand immediate responses via suspicious links.

6. Use Multi-Factor Authentication for Important Accounts

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) provides a critical safety net even if you accidentally reveal login credentials through a smishing attack. By requiring a second form of verification beyond just your password, MFA makes it significantly harder for cybercriminals to access your accounts, even if they’ve obtained your password.

According to Microsoft’s security research, MFA can block over 99.9% of account compromise attacks. For maximum security, use authentication apps like Google Authenticator or Authy rather than SMS-based verification codes, as determined attackers can sometimes intercept SMS verification codes through SIM swapping or other advanced techniques.

Prioritize setting up MFA on your most sensitive accounts, including:

• Email accounts (which can be used to reset other passwords)
• Banking and financial services
• Cloud storage accounts
• Social media profiles
• Shopping and payment platforms

7. Use a Password Manager for Secure Credential Storage

Many smishing attacks aim to capture your login credentials for valuable accounts. A password manager not only helps you create and store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts but also provides protection against phishing sites. Most password managers will only auto-fill credentials on legitimate websites they recognize, refusing to fill in your information on fraudulent sites that mimic real services.

This feature provides an additional layer of security—even if you click a malicious link in a text message, your password manager won’t offer to fill in your credentials if it detects you’re on a fake site. This visual cue can alert you that something is wrong before you manually enter sensitive information.

8. Report Smishing Attempts to the Proper Authorities

Reporting smishing attempts helps authorities track and combat these scams while potentially preventing others from falling victim. When you receive suspicious text messages, forward them to 7726 (SPAM), a service supported by most major wireless carriers. This reporting mechanism helps carriers identify and block numbers associated with smishing campaigns.

You can also report smishing attempts to:

• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
• The organization being impersonated (forward the message to their fraud department)

Taking the time to report these messages contributes to the broader fight against smishing and may help authorities identify and shut down large-scale scam operations.

9. Keep Your Phone’s Operating System and Apps Updated

Regular updates to your phone’s operating system and apps are crucial for security. These updates often include patches for vulnerabilities that could be exploited in smishing attacks, particularly those involving malware installation.

According to the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), keeping software updated is one of the most effective security measures you can take. Enable automatic updates when possible, and regularly check for updates manually if automatic updates aren’t available.

Pay particular attention to updates for:

• Your phone’s operating system (iOS or Android)
• Your web browser
• Banking and financial apps
• Messaging apps
• Security software

How to Identify Common Smishing Attempts

Recognizing the warning signs of smishing attempts is your first line of defense. While scammers continually refine their tactics, most smishing messages contain telltale indicators that can help you identify them before falling victim. Becoming familiar with these red flags can significantly reduce your risk of being successfully targeted.

Red Flags That Signal a Smishing Attempt

Cybersecurity experts have identified several common characteristics that appear in many smishing messages. Training yourself to spot these warning signs can help you quickly identify potentially dangerous texts. The Federal Trade Commission highlights these key indicators of smishing attempts:

• Spelling and grammar errors: While legitimate businesses carefully proofread their communications, scammers often make spelling, grammatical, or formatting mistakes.
• Generic greetings: Messages that begin with “Dear Customer” or “Account Holder” rather than your actual name may indicate a mass-sent scam.
• Shortened or suspicious links: Links that use URL shorteners (like bit.ly or tinyurl) or contain unusual combinations of letters and numbers are often used to mask malicious destinations.
• Requests for personal information: Legitimate organizations rarely request sensitive information like passwords, Social Security numbers, or full credit card details via text message.
• Unexpected timing: Messages about accounts you don’t have or services you don’t use are clear red flags.

Examples of Common Smishing Scenarios

Understanding the most common smishing scenarios can help you stay vigilant. According to personal cybersecurity experts, these are the most prevalent smishing tactics currently targeting consumers:

Package Delivery Scams: “Your package delivery was attempted but failed due to an incorrect address. Update your delivery preferences here: [malicious link]”

Banking Alert Scams: “ALERT: Suspicious transaction detected on your [Bank Name] account. If this wasn’t you, verify your identity: [malicious link]”

Account Verification Scams: “Your Apple ID has been locked due to too many login attempts. Verify your information here to restore access: [malicious link]”

Refund/Reward Scams: “Congratulations! You’ve been selected to receive a $500 Amazon gift card. Claim now: [malicious link]”

COVID-19 Related Scams: “Urgent: Your COVID test results are ready. Access them here: [malicious link]” or “You may qualify for additional COVID relief payments. Verify eligibility: [malicious link]”

What to Do If You’ve Already Clicked a Smishing Link

If you realize you’ve fallen victim to a smishing attack, taking immediate action can help limit the damage. The faster you respond, the better your chances of protecting your accounts and personal information. Don’t panic—follow these steps methodically to secure your digital life.

Immediate Steps to Take After a Suspected Smishing Attack

If you’ve clicked a suspicious link or provided information in response to what you now believe was a smishing attempt, cybersecurity experts recommend taking these immediate actions:

1. Disconnect from the internet: Put your phone in airplane mode to prevent any malware from communicating with remote servers.
2. Run a security scan: Use your mobile security software to scan for malware or suspicious apps.
3. Change compromised passwords: Immediately change passwords for any accounts you believe may have been compromised, using a different device if possible.
4. Enable additional security features: Add extra security like multi-factor authentication to sensitive accounts.
5. Monitor your accounts: Check your financial accounts for unauthorized transactions and continue monitoring them closely for several weeks.

If you provided financial information like credit card details or banking credentials, contact your financial institutions immediately. Most banks have 24/7 fraud departments specifically for these situations.

Long-term Recovery and Monitoring After a Smishing Attack

Beyond the immediate response, consider these longer-term protective measures:

• Place a fraud alert on your credit reports: Contact one of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) to place a fraud alert, which makes it harder for identity thieves to open accounts in your name.
• Consider a credit freeze: For maximum protection, you might want to freeze your credit reports, preventing anyone from accessing them to open new accounts.
• Invest in identity theft protection: Services like Aura or LifeLock can monitor your personal information and alert you to potential misuse.
• File reports with relevant authorities: Report the incident to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov and consider filing a report with your local police department if financial loss occurred.

Remember that the impact of a smishing attack may not be immediately apparent. Cybercriminals sometimes collect information to use weeks or months later, so continued vigilance is essential.

Advanced Protection: Securing Your Phone Against Sophisticated Smishing

As smishing tactics evolve, basic precautions may not be enough to protect against the most sophisticated attacks. For those seeking maximum security or those with heightened risk factors (such as access to sensitive business information or high-value financial accounts), these advanced protection measures provide additional layers of defense against even the most determined attackers.

Consider Using a Dedicated Messaging App with Enhanced Security

Standard SMS messaging lacks end-to-end encryption and has inherent security vulnerabilities. For sensitive communications, consider using messaging apps with robust security features. Signal, for example, offers end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, and security notifications. While this won’t prevent smishing attempts through regular SMS, it provides a more secure alternative channel for important communications.

When using encrypted messaging apps, verify the identity of contacts through secondary channels before exchanging sensitive information, as scammers have been known to create fake profiles on these platforms as well.

Implement Network-Level Protection

A virtual private network (VPN) adds an important layer of security when clicking links on your mobile device. By encrypting your internet connection, a VPN helps protect your data even if you accidentally connect to a malicious site. This is particularly important when using public Wi-Fi networks, where attackers may attempt to intercept your communications.

Some advanced security solutions also offer DNS filtering, which can block connections to known malicious domains before your device even attempts to load them. This proactive protection can prevent your device from connecting to phishing sites even if you click a malicious link.

Consider a Separate Phone Number for Sensitive Accounts

For maximum security, cybersecurity professionals sometimes recommend using a separate phone number (either a second phone or a virtual number service) for your most sensitive accounts. This strategy, known as “compartmentalization,” helps contain the damage if one number becomes compromised.

You might use your primary number for general communications while reserving a secondary number exclusively for banking, investment accounts, and other high-value services. This makes it much harder for scammers to target your most important accounts, as this secondary number wouldn’t be widely shared or used for general purposes.

Special Considerations for Vulnerable Users

Certain groups face heightened risk from smishing attacks due to factors like age, technical familiarity, or specific targeting. Understanding these special considerations can help protect vulnerable family members and communities from increasingly sophisticated scams.

Protecting Older Adults from Smishing

Older adults are disproportionately targeted by scammers, with the FBI reporting that people over 60 lost nearly $1.7 billion to cybercrime in 2021 alone. Several factors contribute to this vulnerability, including less familiarity with technology, greater likelihood of having retirement savings, and sometimes a more trusting nature.

If you have older family members, consider these protective strategies:

• Set up regular check-ins to discuss any unusual messages they’ve received
• Help them configure spam filtering on their devices
• Install and configure security software on their phones
• Create a simple process for them to verify suspicious messages with you before responding
• Practice identifying smishing attempts together using real examples

Many older adults benefit from having a trusted family member they can quickly contact when they receive suspicious messages. Establishing this “security buddy” system provides peace of mind and creates a verification checkpoint before potential scam victims take action on suspicious messages.

Teaching Children and Teens About Smishing

Young people who have grown up with smartphones may be technically savvy but often lack the life experience to identify scams. They may also be more impulsive and less likely to scrutinize messages before clicking links. Child internet safety experts recommend these approaches:

• Establish clear rules about not sharing personal information via text
• Explain the potential consequences of smishing in age-appropriate terms
• Use parental controls to monitor and filter message content
• Create an environment where they feel comfortable asking about suspicious messages
• Regularly review their messaging apps and contacts

For teens who value their independence, focus on empowerment rather than restriction. Teaching them to identify scams themselves builds critical thinking skills that will serve them throughout their digital lives. Consider creating a family challenge where everyone shares suspicious messages they’ve received and explains how they identified them as potential scams.

The Future of Smishing: Emerging Threats and Defenses

As mobile security improves, smishing tactics continue to evolve in sophistication. Understanding emerging trends can help you stay ahead of new threats and adapt your defensive strategies accordingly. Cybersecurity researchers are tracking several concerning developments in the smishing landscape.

AI-Powered Smishing and Defensive Countermeasures

Artificial intelligence is transforming both sides of the cybersecurity battle. Scammers are increasingly using AI to create more convincing, personalized smishing messages that can bypass traditional filters. These AI-generated messages may contain fewer spelling and grammatical errors, use more natural language patterns, and incorporate personalized details gleaned from social media or data breaches.

Fortunately, security companies are developing AI-powered defenses as well. Next-generation security solutions use machine learning to identify suspicious message patterns, even when the content appears legitimate at first glance. These systems analyze multiple factors—including message origin, content patterns, and behavioral signals—to identify potential threats.

To protect against AI-powered smishing:

• Adopt security solutions that use AI and machine learning for threat detection
• Be especially cautious with messages that reference specific personal details
• Verify all unexpected requests through official channels, even if they seem personalized
• Limit the personal information you share publicly online

Integration with Other Attack Vectors

Cybersecurity experts are observing an increase in multi-channel attacks that combine smishing with other techniques. For example, a scammer might send a text message reference to a previous phone call that never occurred, creating a false sense of an established relationship. Or they might follow up a smishing text with a phone call impersonating a security team member responding to the “suspicious activity” mentioned in the text.

These sophisticated, multi-pronged approaches are designed to overcome the growing awareness of single-channel scams. To defend against these integrated attacks:

• Maintain healthy skepticism about all unexpected communications, regardless of channel
• Verify identities through official channels before providing any information
• Be aware that scammers may have some of your personal information from data breaches
• Remember that legitimate organizations typically don’t use high-pressure tactics

Final Thoughts: Building a Comprehensive Mobile Security Mindset

Protecting yourself from smishing attacks isn’t just about following a checklist of security practices—it’s about developing a security mindset that becomes second nature. By understanding the psychology behind these attacks and implementing layered defenses, you can significantly reduce your vulnerability to even the most sophisticated scams.

Remember that cybersecurity is never “set and forget.” As threats evolve, your protective measures should adapt accordingly. Stay informed about emerging scams, regularly review your security settings, and maintain a healthy skepticism about unexpected messages, especially those creating urgency or requesting sensitive information.

Most importantly, share your knowledge with friends and family. Many people remain unaware of smishing risks or lack the technical knowledge to protect themselves effectively. By educating those in your circle—especially vulnerable groups like older adults and young people—you help build community resilience against these pervasive threats.

With vigilance, proper security tools, and an informed approach to mobile communications, you can enjoy the convenience of text messaging while minimizing the risks of falling victim to increasingly sophisticated smishing attacks.

Ready to protect your mobile device and personal information from smishing and other digital threats? Explore our trusted cybersecurity solutions at Batten Cyber—personally vetted by experts to keep your digital life secure.