Ever glanced at your phone and felt that little jolt of suspicion?
That text claiming to be from your bank, service provider, or delivery company just doesn’t feel quite right. You’re not alone—fake text messages have become increasingly sophisticated, leaving many of us second-guessing which messages we can trust.
The good news? You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to spot most scams. What you do need is a thoughtful approach and knowledge of the telltale signs that separate legitimate messages from fraudulent ones.
The Most Critical Red Flags to Watch For
When it comes to spotting fake texts, some indicators practically scream “scam.” Here are the most important signals to recognise immediately:
Visual and Technical Warning Signs
- Unfamiliar or slightly altered numbers – Legitimate organizations usually use consistent phone numbers or short codes. Scammers often use numbers that look almost right—but with subtle changes.
- Grammatical errors and unusual phrasing – Major companies employ professional writers and editors. While everyone makes mistakes occasionally, multiple errors or awkward phrasing suggest something’s off.
- Generic greetings – “Dear Customer” instead of your name is a warning sign. Companies you have accounts with typically know your name.
- Shortened URLs – These hide the actual destination. Legitimate businesses typically use branded links or clear web addresses.
- Requests for immediate action or sensitive information – Real companies rarely demand immediate action via text or ask for passwords, account numbers, or personal details through SMS.
The Psychology Behind Fake Texts
Understanding how scammers manipulate you psychologically is just as important as recognizing visual cues. They rely on:
- Artificial urgency – “Act now,” “immediate action required,” or “limited time” phrases push you to react before thinking.
- Fear-based messaging – Texts about “account suspension,” “unusual activity,” or “security issues” exploit your natural concerns.
- False authority claims – Impersonating trusted organizations like your bank, government agencies, or well-known companies.
- Too-good-to-be-true offers – Unexpected prizes, refunds, or offers that seem surprisingly generous.
But what if the text actually looks legitimate? That’s when you need to take a deeper look at the context.
Looking Beyond the Message Itself
Verify the Sender Independently
Never use the contact information provided in a suspicious text. Instead:
- Contact the supposed sender through official channels—look up their number on their official website or on your account statement
- Check your existing accounts to see if the same message appears there
- Use the organization’s official app rather than responding to the text
Evaluate the Content and Context
Ask yourself:
- Does this match how this organization typically communicates with me?
- Is this request consistent with the company’s normal policies?
- Have I received similar legitimate communications before, and do they match this style?
I know what you might be thinking: “But what about really sophisticated scams? I’m worried I won’t catch those.” It’s a valid concern. Even careful people can be fooled by advanced techniques. Some newer scam approaches include:
- Texts that reference recent legitimate transactions you’ve made
- Messages that come as part of an ongoing thread with legitimate messages
- Scams that specifically target your profession or personal circumstances
When in doubt, always verify through official channels before responding or clicking.
Technical Tools to Help You Verify
You don’t have to rely solely on your instincts—technology can help too.
Analyzing Links Without Clicking
- Copy links and paste them into phishing and scam link checkers
- Use link-checking services that analyze URLs for safety
- Check for subtle misspellings in website addresses (like “amaz0n.com” instead of “amazon.com”)
Using Built-in Protection
Most modern phones have built-in features to help identify potential scams:
- iPhone users can enable “Filter Unknown Senders” in Messages settings
- Android phones often have spam protection options under Message settings
- Most carriers offer free spam-blocking services you can activate
These technical measures work best when combined with your own awareness. The connection between technical red flags and psychological manipulation tactics is key—scammers use technical tricks (like fake links) to enable psychological manipulation (creating fear or urgency).
What To Do When You Receive a Suspicious Text
If you receive a text you’re unsure about, follow these steps:
- Don’t click any links or download attachments
- Don’t reply to the message, even to say “STOP”
- Screenshot the message for your records
- Report the message by forwarding it to 7726 (SPAM)
- Delete the message to prevent accidentally clicking later
- If the message claims to be from a company you use, contact them through official channels to verify
But what if you’ve already responded or clicked a link? Don’t panic—act quickly:
- If you shared financial information, contact your bank or credit card company immediately
- Change passwords for any potentially affected accounts
- Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity
- Consider placing a fraud alert with credit bureaus if identity theft is a concern
- Report the incident to ScamWatch if you’re in Australia
You might wonder: “How can I tell if I’ve already been compromised?” Watch for signs like unexpected account activities, unauthorized charges, or unusual emails about account changes you didn’t request.
Building Your Scam Detection Skills
Ultimately, protecting yourself is about developing sustainable scepticism—not paranoia, but healthy caution.
Training yourself to pause before reacting to messages is perhaps the most powerful protection. Create a personal verification habit: whenever you receive a text requesting action, take a breath and ask, “Is this legitimate?” before proceeding.
Remember, it’s always better to seem a bit cautious than to fall victim to a scam. Legitimate organizations will understand your need to verify—scammers will try to make you feel bad about being careful.
Keeping Up with Evolving Scams
Scammers constantly adapt their techniques, so staying informed is essential. A few reliable resources for keeping up with new scam methods include:
- ScamWatch for updates on current scams
- Your bank’s security advisories
- Government cybersecurity websites
Protecting Yourself from SMS Scams
As text messaging becomes increasingly important for business communications, distinguishing between legitimate messages and scams grows more challenging. When receiving important communications, consider using services that provide secure SMS delivery with authentication features to ensure messages come from verified sources.
For businesses concerned about their customers being targeted by SMS scams impersonating their brand, implementing consistent messaging practices is crucial. This includes using a consistent sender ID and communication style that customers can reliably recognise.
Finally…
Remember, being targeted by scammers isn’t a reflection of your intelligence—these tactics are designed to catch everyone off guard at vulnerable moments. The most sophisticated scams can fool even the most tech-savvy individuals.
By learning these identification techniques and sharing them with friends and family, you’re not just protecting yourself—you’re helping build community resistance to scams. When you receive and identify fake messages, reporting them helps protect others who might receive the same scam.
At 160.com.au, we take message security seriously. As an Australian bulk SMS provider since 2000, we help businesses communicate securely with their customers through legitimate text messaging channels. With features like personalized messaging, delivery reports, and enterprise-level security, we ensure that businesses can maintain trustworthy communication with their customers—the exact opposite of what scammers attempt to do.
Whether you’re protecting yourself or your business communications, staying vigilant about text message security is an essential skill in today’s digital world.