SMS scams have become increasingly sophisticated. Here are ten warning signs to watch for.
1. Urgent Language and Pressure Tactics
Scammers create urgency to make you act without thinking:
- "Act now or your account will be closed!"
- "You have 24 hours to claim your prize!"
2. Requests for Personal Information
Legitimate organizations never ask for sensitive information via text:
- Social Security numbers
- Bank account details
- Passwords or PINs
3. Unknown or Suspicious Sender Numbers
Red flags include:
- Very long numbers (12+ digits)
- International numbers you don't recognize
- Numbers that look like email addresses
4. Spelling and Grammar Mistakes
Professional organizations have editors. Multiple errors often indicate a scam.
5. Suspicious Links
Watch for links that:
- Use URL shorteners (bit.ly, tinyurl)
- Have misspelled company names
- Include random strings of characters
Pro tip: Never click links in unexpected text messages.
6. Too Good to Be True Offers
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is:
- "You've won $1,000,000!"
- "Free iPhone waiting for you!"
7. Impersonating Known Organizations
Scammers often pretend to be:
- Banks and financial institutions
- Government agencies (IRS, Social Security)
- Delivery services (FedEx, UPS, USPS)
8. Requests for Unusual Payment Methods
Legitimate organizations won't ask for payment via:
- Gift cards
- Cryptocurrency
- Wire transfers
9. Messages About Orders You Never Made
"Your order has shipped!" for items you never ordered is a common tactic.
10. Threatening Consequences
Scammers may threaten account suspension, legal action, or arrest.
How Montiguard Helps
Montiguard uses AI to detect these warning signs automatically, filtering scams before they reach your inbox.
