How Impersonation Text Scams Work
How Impersonation Text Scams Work
Impersonation bypasses natural skepticism. Our Scam Text Analyzer tool identifies impersonation tactics.
Common Categories
Financial Institutions
Banks, credit cards, payment platforms.
Government Agencies
IRS, Social Security, Medicare, law enforcement.
Family Members
Children, grandchildren, relatives in emergencies. See Voice Scam Risk
Delivery Services
USPS, FedEx, UPS, Amazon.
Employers
Bosses, HR, IT departments.
Tech Companies
Apple, Google, Microsoft, social media.
How to Verify
For Organizations
- Don't use contact info from the message
- Look up official numbers
- Check official apps
For Family
- Call at known numbers
- Ask personal questions
- Contact other family members
Visit our Identity Safety Guide for more verification strategies.
Report AI Fraud to StopAiFraud.com →
Visit Safety Tools for more resources.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a text message scam?
A: A text message scam (also called smishing) is a fraudulent SMS or text message designed to trick you into providing personal information, clicking malicious links, or sending money. Scammers often impersonate banks, government agencies, delivery services, or family members to create urgency and manipulate victims.
Q: How can I tell if a text is a scam?
A: Look for red flags including unexpected urgency, requests for personal information, threats of consequences, suspicious links, generic greetings, poor grammar, unfamiliar sender numbers, and requests for unusual payment methods like gift cards or wire transfers. When in doubt, verify the sender through official channels before responding.
Q: What should I do if I receive a suspicious text?
A: Do not respond, click any links, or call numbers provided in the message. Verify the sender by looking up the organization's official contact information independently. Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) to report to your carrier. Document the message with screenshots and report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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