Smishing and Vishing: Phone-Based Scam Tactics

While most people are becoming familiar with email phishing scams, criminals are increasingly targeting us through our phones - both with fraudulent text messages (called "smishing") and deceptive phone calls (called "vishing"). These scams feel more personal and urgent than emails, making them particularly effective at catching people off guard.

Your phone is with you constantly, and messages or calls create an immediate sense of urgency. Scammers exploit this. Understanding how these attacks work and learning to recognize the warning signs can protect you from financial loss and identity theft.

What Is Smishing?

Smishing is phishing through SMS (text messages). The name combines "SMS" and "phishing." Like email phishing, smishing attempts trick you into revealing personal information, clicking malicious links, or downloading harmful software.

Text message scams are effective because:

• Messages appear directly on your lock screen, demanding immediate attention
• It's harder to verify sender identity in a text than in an email
• People tend to trust text messages more than emails
• Links are harder to examine on small phone screens

Common Smishing Tactics

Package Delivery Scams

These are among the most common smishing attempts. You'll receive a text claiming:

• "Your package cannot be delivered. Update your address here: [link]"
• "Package held at facility. Pay $2.95 shipping fee to receive: [link]"
• "Delivery attempted. Reschedule here: [link]"

The link leads to a fake website designed to steal your credit card information or personal details. Sometimes these sites also try to install malware on your phone.

Bank and Financial Alerts

These texts create panic to make you act without thinking:

• "FRAUD ALERT: Unusual activity on your account. Verify immediately: [link]"
• "Your card has been locked. Call [number] to unlock"
• "You have a pending Zelle payment. Accept here: [link]"

Real banks do send text alerts, but they never ask you to verify account information via text message links. They'll direct you to call the number on the back of your card or log into your account through the official app.

Prize and Reward Scams

These try to tempt rather than frighten you:

• "Congratulations! You've won a $500 Amazon gift card. Claim here: [link]"
• "You have unclaimed rewards points. Redeem now: [link]"
• "You've been selected for a free iPhone. Limited time: [link]"

Remember: If you didn't enter a contest, you didn't win a prize. These links lead to sites that steal your information or subscribe you to expensive recurring charges.

Government Impersonation

Scammers pretend to be government agencies to sound authoritative:

• "IRS: You owe back taxes. Pay now to avoid arrest: [link]"
• "Social Security: Your number has been suspended. Call [number] immediately"
• "USPS: Unclaimed tax refund. Provide information here: [link]"

Government agencies don't initiate contact via text message about serious matters like taxes or Social Security issues. They communicate through official mail. They absolutely never threaten arrest via text.

How to Spot Smishing Texts

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Unexpected messages: Alerts about accounts you don't have or packages you didn't order
• Urgent language: "Act now," "Immediate action required," time pressure
• Suspicious sender numbers: Long numbers, emails as senders, or numbers from other countries
• Generic greetings: "Dear customer" instead of your name
• Shortened links: bit.ly or other URL shorteners hide the real destination
• Requests for personal information: No legitimate company asks for passwords or Social Security numbers via text
• Grammar and spelling errors: Professional companies proofread their messages

What to Do About Smishing Texts

If you receive a suspicious text message:

1. Don't click any links - Not even to "unsubscribe" or see more details
2. Don't call numbers in the message - Use official contact information instead
3. Don't respond - Even saying "STOP" confirms your number is active
4. Verify independently - Contact the company directly using a number from their official website
5. Report it - Forward the message to 7726 (SPAM). Your carrier can investigate
6. Delete the message - Remove it from your phone after reporting
7. Block the sender - Most phones let you block numbers to prevent repeat messages

What Is Vishing?

Vishing (voice phishing) involves phone calls from scammers pretending to be legitimate organizations. These calls are often more convincing than texts or emails because you're talking to a real person who sounds professional and authoritative.

Modern vishing can be sophisticated, using:

• Caller ID spoofing to make calls appear from legitimate companies
• Background noise like call center sounds to seem authentic
• Personal information about you gathered from data breaches
• Professional scripts designed to manipulate emotions

Common Vishing Scenarios

Tech Support Scams

Someone calls claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, or your internet provider:

• "We've detected a virus on your computer"
• "Your Windows license has expired"
• "Your internet security has been compromised"

They'll pressure you to allow remote access to your computer or pay for unnecessary software. Once they have access, they can install real malware or steal your files.

Bank and Credit Card Fraud Alerts

The caller claims to be from your bank's fraud department:

• "We've detected suspicious charges on your account"
• "Someone tried to access your account from another location"
• "We need to verify some recent transactions"

They'll ask you to "verify" your account by providing your card number, PIN, or other sensitive information. Real bank fraud departments never ask for your full card number or PIN - they already have this information.

Government Imposters

Scammers impersonate the IRS, Social Security Administration, or law enforcement:

• "You owe back taxes and will be arrested if you don't pay immediately"
• "Your Social Security number has been suspended due to suspicious activity"
• "There's a warrant for your arrest; pay now to resolve it"

Government agencies don't call to threaten arrest or demand immediate payment. The IRS contacts people by mail. Law enforcement doesn't call to warn you about warrants - they serve them in person.

Utility Company Threats

The caller says they're from your electric, gas, or water company:

• "Your service will be disconnected in one hour unless you pay immediately"
• "You have an overdue bill; pay now or lose service today"

Real utility companies send multiple notices before disconnection and never demand immediate payment over the phone. They certainly don't give one-hour deadlines.

Vishing Warning Signs

Be suspicious of calls that include:

• Unexpected contact: You didn't initiate the call
• Urgent pressure: "Act now or face consequences"
• Threats: Arrest, prosecution, service disconnection
• Requests for immediate payment: Especially via gift cards, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency
• Asking for remote computer access: No legitimate company does this unsolicited
• Requests for sensitive information: Social Security numbers, PINs, passwords
• Refusal to provide credentials: Won't give you a callback number or employee ID
• Caller ID that doesn't match: Claims to be local but shows an out-of-state or international number

How to Handle Vishing Calls

During the Call:

• Stay calm: Don't let urgency or threats pressure you
• Don't provide information: No matter how convincing they sound
• Don't confirm details: Even if they already seem to know things about you
• Ask for credentials: Request a callback number, employee ID, and department
• Don't press buttons: Some scams use prompts to compromise your phone or verify it's active
• It's okay to hang up: You don't owe strangers your time or politeness

After the Call:

1. Look up the official number: Find the company's real contact information on their website or your account statement
2. Call them directly: Use the number you found, not any number the caller gave you
3. Ask if they tried to contact you: Real companies can verify whether they called
4. Report the scam: Contact the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
5. Tell the impersonated company: They want to know their name is being used in scams

Special Verification Strategies

The Callback Method

This is your most powerful protection against vishing:

1. When someone calls claiming to represent a company, tell them you'll call back
2. Don't use any number they provide
3. Look up the official number yourself
4. Call that number and ask to be connected to the department that supposedly called you
5. Legitimate callers won't object to this; scammers often become hostile or hang up

Ask Specific Questions

If someone claims to be from your bank or a service you use:

• Ask them to verify your account balance or recent activity
• Ask about specific details only the real company would know
• If they claim suspicious activity, ask them to describe it specifically

Scammers usually have limited information and will either become vague or aggressive when questioned.

Payment Method Red Flags

Be especially alert if a caller asks you to pay using:

• Gift cards: No legitimate business or government agency accepts gift cards as payment
• Wire transfers: These are nearly impossible to reverse
• Cryptocurrency: Another untraceable payment method
• Prepaid debit cards: Similar to gift cards, these are favorite scammer tools

These payment methods have one thing in common: they're nearly impossible to trace or reverse. That's exactly why scammers demand them.

Protecting Yourself Long-Term

Reduce Unwanted Calls:

• Register with the National Do Not Call Registry: Visit donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222
• Use call-blocking features: Most phones and carriers offer call filtering
• Don't answer unknown numbers: Let them go to voicemail
• Be careful where you share your number: Consider using a separate number for online forms

Strengthen Your Defenses:

• Limit personal information online: The less scammers know about you, the less convincing their calls
• Monitor your accounts regularly: Catch fraud early
• Enable fraud alerts with credit bureaus: Get notified of suspicious credit activity
• Use unique passwords: If one account is breached, others stay protected

What If You've Already Responded?

If you've clicked a link in a smishing text or provided information during a vishing call:

1. Don't panic: Quick action can minimize damage
2. Contact your bank immediately: If you shared financial information, freeze your accounts
3. Change passwords: For any accounts that might be compromised
4. Run security software: Scan your devices for malware
5. Monitor your accounts: Watch for unauthorized activity
6. Consider a credit freeze: Prevents new accounts from being opened in your name
7. Report to authorities: File reports with the FTC and local police

Final Thoughts

Smishing and vishing attacks succeed because they catch us off guard. Your phone feels personal and immediate, and we're conditioned to respond quickly to messages and calls. Scammers exploit these natural reactions.

Your best defense is a simple rule: Slow down and verify. No legitimate organization will penalize you for taking time to confirm their identity. If something seems urgent, that's often the biggest sign it's a scam.

Trust your instincts. If a call or text feels wrong, it probably is. It's always safer to hang up and call back using a number you know is real than to risk becoming a victim of fraud.