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Text message scams (smishing)

The scam texts hitting phones right now — fake delivery notices, bank alerts, toll bills, and payment-app warnings — with a plain verdict on each.

How these scams work

A scam text (“smishing”) impersonates a company you trust and creates just enough urgency — a package held, a charge you didn't make, a tiny unpaid toll — to make you tap a link before you think. That link goes to a look-alike site built to steal your login or card details. Real companies tell you to open their app yourself; they don't text you a link to “verify” or “pay.”

What to check first

Read the link, not the message: a real company uses its exact domain (chase.com), never a look-alike with extra words or an odd ending like .info or .top.
Never tap a link or call a number in a text — open the app or type the real address yourself.
Don't reply, not even “STOP” — any reply tells them your number is live.

Got a text like this right now? Check a suspicious message — paste it for an instant read, right in your browser.

The text message scams we've checked

Coinbase text scam: is that message real?

Got a text about a Coinbase login, withdrawal, or verification code you didn't request? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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Smishing: what it is, with 6 real examples

Smishing is phishing by text message. Here's what it means, six real examples annotated, and exactly what to do if one lands on your phone.

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Unpaid toll text scam: is that E-ZPass message real?

Got a text about an unpaid toll, a small balance due, or a late fee from E-ZPass, TxTag, or FasTrak? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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Package delivery scams: fake texts and mystery parcels

Got a delivery text with a tracking link, or a package you never ordered? Here are the two common package scams and exactly what to do.

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USPS text scam: is that delivery text real?

Got a USPS text about a held package, an address problem, or a redelivery fee? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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Bank of America text scam: is that alert real?

Got a text about a Bank of America locked account, a card freeze, or a charge you didn't make? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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Chase text scam: 3 signs that alert is fake

A “Chase” text about a locked account, a fraud alert, or a charge you didn't make? Here's how to spot the fake fast — and exactly what to do.

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Wells Fargo text scam: is that message real?

Got a text about a Wells Fargo transfer, locked account, or fraud alert you didn't expect? Here's the verdict on the Wells Fargo text scam and exactly what to do.

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Amazon text scam: is that message real?

Got a text about an Amazon order, account hold, or delivery problem you don't recognize? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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FedEx text scam: is that delivery text real?

Got a text about a FedEx package on hold, a missed delivery, or a fee to pay? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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UPS text scam: is that delivery text real?

Got a UPS text about a held package, a delivery fee, or an address you need to confirm? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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Afterpay text scam: is that message real?

Got a text about an Afterpay payment, locked account, or order you don't recognize? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do about the Afterpay text scam.

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Zelle text scam: is that message real?

Got a Zelle text about a payment you didn't make, a locked account, or a code to confirm? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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Venmo text scam: how to spot the fake alert

A Venmo text about a payment, a login, or “suspicious activity” you don't recognize? Here's the verdict and the safe way to check in seconds.

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Cash App text scam: is that payment alert fake?

Got a text about a Cash App payment, refund, or login you didn't make? Here's the verdict — and how to check safely in under a minute.

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Apple Pay text scam: is that message real?

Got a text about an Apple Pay charge, locked account, or payment you didn't make? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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Brushing scam: why did a package I didn't order arrive?

A package you never ordered showed up — maybe with a QR code to “claim a gift.” Here's what a brushing scam is, why it happened, and exactly what to do.

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Facebook Marketplace scams: spot the 3 common tricks

Buying or selling on Facebook Marketplace and something feels off — a “verification code,” an overpayment, or a move to Zelle? Here's the verdict and what to do.

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DMV scam text: that overdue-ticket message is fake

Got a text about an overdue traffic ticket, a DMV final notice, or a license suspension with a link to pay? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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E-ZPass text scam: is that unpaid-toll message real?

Got a text from “E-ZPass” about an unpaid toll, a late fee, or a suspended account? E-ZPass doesn't text payment links. Here's the verdict and what to do.

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ParkMobile scam text: that parking-fee message is fake

Got a text from “ParkMobile” about an outstanding parking fee with a link to pay? ParkMobile only takes payment in-app. Here's the verdict and what to do.

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SunPass text scam: is that unpaid-toll message real?

Got a text from “SunPass” about an unpaid toll balance and a link to pay? SunPass doesn't text payment links. Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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Apple text scam: is that “Apple ID locked” message real?

Got a text saying your Apple ID or iCloud has been locked and you must verify within 24 hours? Apple doesn't do that. Here's the verdict and what to do.

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Romance scams: how they work and how to get out

Met someone online who professes love fast, then needs money for an emergency or an investment? Here's how romance scams work and exactly what to do.

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Romance scam pictures: how to check if a photo is fake

Want to check whether a dating-profile photo is a catfish? Here's how to reverse-image-search a suspected scammer's picture in two minutes, and why it works.

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Task scam texts: why you never pay to get paid

Got a text offering easy remote “tasks” for $95–$300 a day? It's a task scam — the small early payouts are bait. Here's the verdict and what to do.

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PayPal text scam: is that payment alert real?

Got a text from PayPal about a payment on hold, unusual activity, or a purchase you never made? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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Walmart text scam: that order or reward text is fake

Got a text from Walmart about an order that can't ship, a package problem, or a reward you won? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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DHL text scam: that parcel-fee message is fake

Got a text from DHL about a held parcel, a customs fee, or a failed delivery? DHL doesn't text payment links. Here's the verdict and what to do.

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Netflix text scam: that payment-declined text is fake

Got a text from Netflix saying your payment was declined or your account is about to be cancelled? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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Citi text scam: is that Citibank fraud alert real?

Got a Citibank text about a suspicious charge, a locked card, or account verification? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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U.S. Bank text scam: is that fraud alert real?

Got a U.S. Bank text about suspicious activity, a locked account, or a Zelle transfer you didn't make? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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FasTrak text scam: is that unpaid-toll message real?

Got a text from FasTrak about an unpaid toll, a late fee, or a hold on your registration? FasTrak doesn't text payment links. Here's what to do.

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Gift card scams: why every scammer demands them

Told to pay a bill, a fee, a fine, or your boss with gift cards? That demand is the scam. How the gift-card drain works and what to do if you paid.

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Google Voice scam: never send that verification code

A “buyer” wants you to text back a Google code to prove you're a real person? Here's the verdict and what to do.

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Wrong number scam texts: the “oops” is on purpose

A friendly text meant for someone else keeps chatting after you say “wrong number”? Here's the verdict and what to do.

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WhatsApp scams: that stranger's message is a script

A stranger on WhatsApp with a job offer, an investment tip, or a group you never joined? Here's the verdict and what to do.

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Crypto scams: guaranteed returns are the giveaway

An “investment manager,” a can't-lose trading platform, a fee to withdraw your profits? Here's the verdict and what to do.

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Lottery scams: you can't win one you never entered

Told you won a lottery or sweepstakes, but there's a fee, “taxes,” or a form to claim it? Here's the verdict and what to do.

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Discord scams: fake admins, free Nitro, stolen tokens

A Discord DM says you were reported, offers free Nitro, or needs your login to “verify” you? Here's the verdict and what to do.

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T-Mobile text scam: is that T-Mobile message real?

Got a T-Mobile text about a free gift, a failed payment, or a suspended line? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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Verizon text scam: is that Verizon message real?

Got a Verizon text about a bill credit, a failed payment, or account verification? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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AT&T text scam: is that AT&T rewards text real?

Got an AT&T text offering a reward, a bill credit, or asking you to sign in? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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Instagram scams: is that DM real?

A DM about your account, a friend needing a vote, an investment tip? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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Robinhood text scam: is that login alert real?

Got a text about a Robinhood login you didn't make, with a number to call? Here's the verdict and what to do.

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OfferUp scams: spot the fake buyer in one line

A buyer wants a verification code, an overpayment refund, or to move you off the app? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.

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Telegram scams: spot the fake group before you pay

A Telegram DM or group promises guaranteed returns, sends a login link, or asks for a code? Here's the verdict and what to do.

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Social media scams: spot fake offers and profiles

A social post, ad, or new contact promises a bargain, romance, or foolproof investment? Here's the scam pattern and what to do.

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Parking ticket scam: is that notice real?

A text or QR code says you owe a parking fine and must pay now? Here's the verdict and the safe way to check.

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