How can I tell if a text message is a scam?

Scam texts can look surprisingly convincing. They may pretend to come from your bank, a delivery company, a government agency, or even someone you know.

You don’t have to figure out with certainty whether every message is real. If something seems suspicious, you can stop and check before doing anything.

Watch for messages that:

• pressure you to act immediately

• ask you to click a link to fix a problem

• say you owe money or have won a prize

• ask for a password, verification code, or other private information

• come from an unfamiliar number

• contain a link or web address you don’t recognize

Be especially cautious when a message tries to make you afraid or excited. Scammers often want you to react quickly instead of taking time to think.

If a message says there is a problem with an account, don’t use the link in the text. Instead, open the company’s app yourself or type its website into your browser.

For example, if a text says it came from your bank, contact your bank using the phone number on your bank card or statement.

And remember: you don't have to respond to a suspicious text. You can delete it, block the sender, or report it as junk or spam.

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