If you have a cell phone, you probably text people every day. But what about the messages that come from unknown numbers?
Spam and scam text messages are more common than ever, and they’re often designed to trick you into giving away personal or financial information.
Here’s how to recognize them, avoid them, and report them.
What are spam text messages?
Spam text messages (also known as “smishing”) are messages sent by scammers trying to get you to:
- Share personal information like passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers
- Click on malicious links
- Download harmful software
- Send money or respond to fake offers
These messages often look legitimate at first glance.
Download YouMail and instantly stop spam calls, texts, and voicemail.
Common types of scam text messages
Scammers use a few common tactics to get your attention:
“Too good to be true” offers
- Free prizes, gift cards, or coupons
- Low-interest credit cards or financial offers
- Student loan relief promises
These offers are designed to get you to click, but they’re not real.
Fake account alerts
- “Suspicious activity” on your account
- Problems with payment information
- Fake invoices or purchase confirmations
These messages create urgency so you act quickly without thinking.
Delivery or shipping scams
- Fake package delivery notifications
- Messages asking you to click a link to “track” a shipment
These are especially common and easy to fall for.
What happens if you click?
Clicking a link in a scam text can lead to:
- Fake websites designed to steal your login credentials
- Malware being installed on your phone
- Scammers gaining access to your personal or financial accounts
That’s why the safest move is simple:
Don’t click links in unexpected text messages.
What to do if you get a spam text
If you receive a message that seems suspicious:
- Don’t click any links
- Don’t reply or engage
- Contact the company directly using a trusted phone number or website (not the one in the message)
Legitimate companies won’t ask for sensitive information over text.
How to report spam text messages
Reporting spam helps stop it — not just for you, but for others too.
You have a few options:
1. Forward to 7726 (SPAM)
Copy the message and send it to 7726. This helps your wireless provider identify and block similar scams.
2. Report through your phone
Most messaging apps allow you to report messages as spam or junk directly.
3. Report to the FTC
You can report scam texts at:
https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
An easier way to report spam
You can also report spam messages, calls, and emails using YouMail’s screenshot reporting feature.
Instead of forwarding or copying messages, simply take a screenshot and submit it through YouMail to help identify and block new scam activity.
Learn how it works here:
https://blog.youmail.com/2026/02/screenshot-and-stop-spam-with-youmail/
This makes it faster and easier to contribute to blocking spam across the network.
How to reduce spam texts going forward
There are a few ways to limit unwanted messages:
- Enable spam filtering on your phone
- Use tools from your wireless provider
- Use a call-blocking app that also filters text messages
Combining these tools with awareness is the best way to stay protected.
Final thought
Spam texts rely on urgency, curiosity, and trust. Taking a moment to pause before clicking can prevent a much bigger problem.
When in doubt, don’t engage — and report it.
Source & attribution
This article is based on guidance from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Original resource:
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-report-spam-text-messages
The FTC provides consumer education to help people identify, avoid, and report scams. This content has been adapted for clarity and educational purposes.
