Ever gotten a text that seemed “off” and made you go, Wait, is this real? You’re not alone! From fake prize alerts to urgent bank messages, scammers are getting sneakier every day.
Knowing the red flags can save you from trouble. In this guide, we share 25 common spam text message examples and simple tips to spot them before they trick you.
You’ve Won! Spotting Fake Prize & Gift Card Texts
Spam text messages promising free prizes or gift cards are classic traps used by scammers. These fraudulent texts claim you’ve won a shopping spree, a free iPhone, or hundreds of dollars in gift cards even though you never entered any contest.
The goal? To steal your personal information or trick you into paying fake fees.
Gift card scams are especially common because they’re hard to trace once the money is gone. Scammers create fake text alerts that look urgent and exciting, hoping you’ll click without thinking. But spotting these phishing text messages is easier than you think.
Signs to Watch For: ⚠️
- You never entered a contest :Legitimate companies don’t randomly award prizes to people who didn’t participate
- They ask for payment or personal details :Real prizes never require you to pay taxes upfront or share your Social Security number via text
- The message contains suspicious links :These phishing links lead to fake websites designed to harvest your data or install malware
IRS Scam Texts How to Identify Fake Government Messages
The IRS never contacts you first via text. IRS scam texts are dangerous spam text messages that use fear to make you panic and click malicious links.
These fraudulent texts threaten legal action or promise fake refunds. Government agencies communicate through official mail, not suspicious texts from random numbers.
Red Flags: 💸
- Extreme urgency :Messages claiming “immediate action required” or threatening arrest are classic scam tactics
- Requests for personal information :The IRS never asks for Social Security numbers or bank details via text
- Payment demands via gift cards :Government agencies don’t accept iTunes cards or Bitcoin as payment
- Suspicious URLs or unknown senders :Legitimate IRS communications come through official channels, not shortened links
Refund Scams Don’t Fall for Fake Money Alerts
Spam text messages claiming you’re owed a refund are designed to steal your banking information. These fake refund messages pretend to be from the IRS, your utility company, or online retailers, promising unexpected money back.
Scammers know everyone loves getting money, so these text message scams create urgency to make you act fast. Once you click the phishing links and enter your details, they drain your account instead of depositing anything.
How to Protect Yourself: ❌
- Check the source :Legitimate refunds come through official websites or apps, not random smishing messages from unknown numbers
- Never share bank info via text :Real companies won’t ask for account numbers, routing numbers, or passwords through suspicious texts
- Verify via official channels :Contact the company directly using their official phone number or website, not the contact info in the spam SMS
Verify Your Bank Account Warning Signs of Financial Text Scams
Fake bank texts are among the most convincing spam text messages you’ll receive. Scammers impersonate your bank, claiming suspicious activity or asking you to “verify” your account through a link.
Real banks never send urgent texts demanding immediate action or personal information. These phishing text messages use fear tactics to bypass your common sense and steal your login credentials within minutes.
Common Scam Tactics: 🔒
- Fake links that mimic real bank websites :These phishing links lead to spoofed sites that look identical to your bank’s login page
- Urgent language creating panic :Messages like “Account locked!” or “Unusual activity detected verify now!” pressure you to act without thinking
- Unexpected requests for passwords or PIN numbers :Legitimate banks already have your information and will never ask for sensitive details via SMS
- Threats of account closure :Scammers use billing statement fraud tactics, warning your account will be suspended unless you respond immediately to their fraudulent texts
Package Delivery Scams Amazon, FedEx, and UPS Text Alerts
Fake delivery messages are some of the most common spam text messages circulating today. Scammers send texts claiming your package is stuck in transit and needs a small fee or address confirmation to proceed.
These text message scams work because so many people shop online and expect deliveries. The fraudulent texts often include fake tracking links that lead to phishing sites designed to steal your credit card information or install malware.
Warning Signs: 🚚
- Fake tracking links with suspicious URLs :Real delivery companies use official domains, not shortened links or misspelled website addresses like “fedex-tracking.net”
- Unexpected payment requests :Legitimate carriers never ask for delivery fees or customs charges via text message with random payment links
- Unknown sender or spoofed phone number :Authentic shipping alerts come from verified company numbers, not random digits or email-to-text addresses
| Real Delivery Texts | Fake Delivery Texts |
| From official company shortcodes | From random phone numbers |
| No payment links | Asks for fees via suspicious links |
| Track via company app/website | Generic tracking URLs |
| Expected delivery you ordered | Package you never ordered |
Boss Needs Help Avoid Work-Related SMS Scams
Spam text messages impersonating your boss or coworker are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Scammers research company structures on LinkedIn and send urgent texts asking you to buy gift cards or handle “confidential” tasks immediately.
These phone scam messages exploit workplace hierarchy and your desire to help. The fraudulent texts create fake emergencies, claiming your boss is in a meeting and needs you to purchase gift cards for clients or vendors right away.
Protection Tips: ⚠️
- Verify via direct call :Always call your boss using their known number, not any contact info provided in the suspicious texts
- Never purchase gift cards on request :Legitimate businesses don’t conduct transactions through gift card scams or ask employees to buy cards via text
- Ignore artificial urgency :Real work emergencies are communicated through official channels, not random smishing messages demanding immediate action without proper verification
Fake Subscription Renewal Texts How to Protect Yourself
Subscription renewal scam messages claim your Netflix or Amazon Prime is expiring. These spam text messages create false urgency to steal your payment information through phishing links.
Scammers know you have multiple subscriptions and might click without checking. Don’t fall for these fraudulent texts always verify directly through the official app.
Stay Safe: 🔗
- Check your account directly :Log into the service through its official app, never through links in spam SMS
- Ignore embedded links :Real services send reminders via email, not random phishing text messages
- Confirm with customer support :Contact the company using official channels to verify any suspicious texts before taking action
Low-Interest Credit Card Offers Spotting Fraudulent Promotions
Low-interest credit scam texts promise unbelievable rates like 0% APR or guaranteed approval regardless of credit score. These spam text messages target people looking for financial relief, but they’re just phishing text messages designed to steal your identity.
Real credit card companies don’t send unsolicited offers via text with immediate approval links. These too-good-to-be-true offers lead to fake websites that collect your Social Security number and banking information.
Red Flags: ❌
- Too-good-to-be-true rates :Offers promising 0% interest forever or instant approval without credit checks are classic phone scam messages
- Unknown sender with no company name :Legitimate financial institutions identify themselves clearly, not through vague suspicious texts from random numbers
- Suspicious links requiring immediate action :Real banks send official mail for credit offers, not urgent spam text messages with shortened phishing links
| Real Credit Offers | Fraudulent Text Scams |
| From known bank numbers | Random phone numbers |
| Mailed pre-approval letters | Text-only “approvals” |
| Realistic interest rates | 0% forever claims |
| Verify via bank website | Suspicious shortened URLs |
Apple ID Verification Scams Protect Your Tech Accounts
Apple ID phishing texts are extremely common spam text messages that claim your account has been locked or compromised. These smishing messages create panic by warning of suspicious activity and demanding immediate verification through a link.
Apple never asks you to verify your account via text message. These fraudulent texts use fake alerts to steal your login credentials, giving scammers access to your photos, payment methods, and personal data.
Protection Steps: 🔒
- Never click unknown links :Apple sends account notifications through official emails or the Settings app, not random phishing text messages
- Verify via the official site :Go directly to appleid.apple.com by typing it yourself, never through links in suspicious texts or spam SMS
- Change password if suspicious :If you clicked a link in these text message scams, immediately update your Apple ID password and enable two-factor authentication
Family Emergency Scams Don’t Send Money Without Checking
Family emergency scams are emotionally manipulative spam text messages claiming a loved one is in trouble. These fraudulent texts say your child, grandchild, or relative was arrested, hospitalized, or stranded and needs money immediately.
Scammers use urgency and fear to bypass your logic. These phone scam messages often include details gathered from social media to make the text message scam sound convincing and real.
Critical Steps: 🚨
- Verify directly with family members :Call your relative using their known number before responding to any suspicious texts or urgent scam messages
- Never send money via wire transfer or gift cards :Real emergencies are handled through official channels, not through gift card scams or untraceable payment methods
- Question inconsistencies in the story :These smishing messages often contain details that don’t match, like wrong names or locations your family member wouldn’t be in
- Contact authorities if threatened :If the spam text messages claim legal trouble, call the police department or hospital directly using official numbers, not contact info in the fraudulent texts
Account Reactivation Scams How to Avoid Getting Hacked
Account reactivation scams are spam text messages claiming your social media, email, or banking account has been deactivated. These phishing text messages demand you click a link to “restore access” or verify your identity immediately.
Real companies don’t deactivate accounts without prior warning through official channels. These fraudulent texts are designed to steal your login credentials and take over your accounts completely.
Safety Measures: ⚠️
- Ignore suspicious texts claiming deactivation :Log into your accounts directly through official apps or websites to check status, not through links in spam SMS
- Check via the official site only :Type the company’s URL yourself instead of clicking phishing links in these text message scams
- Never share verification codes :Two-factor authentication codes sent to your phone should never be shared with anyone, even if spam text messages claim to be from customer support
Fake Billing Statement Messages Spot Fraudulent Payments
Billing statement fraud arrives as spam text messages claiming you owe money for services you never used. These text message scams reference utility bills, medical charges, or subscription fees with urgent payment links to create panic.
Scammers count on you clicking without verifying the charges. These fraudulent texts contain phishing links that steal your payment information or trick you into paying fake bills.
Verification Steps: ❌
- Check your email or official website :Real billing statements arrive through established channels, not random suspicious texts or spam SMS
- Verify amounts and dates :Log into your account directly to confirm any charges before responding to these phone scam messages
- Never click unknown payment links :Legitimate companies provide multiple ways to pay bills, not just urgent links in smishing messages demanding immediate action
Texts From Your Own Number (Spoofing) How to Detect Them
Spoofed phone number texts appear to come from your own number, creating confusion and curiosity. These spam text messages use technology that fakes the sender ID, making it look like you texted yourself with urgent warnings or strange offers.
You cannot actually text yourself through normal means. These fraudulent texts are advanced phishing text messages designed to seem legitimate by using your familiar number to lower your guard.
What to Do: ⚠️
- Ignore self-sent messages completely :These are always spam text messages using spoofing technology, never legitimate communications from any real source
- Don’t click any links : The phishing links in these suspicious texts lead to malware or fake websites designed to steal your personal information
- Report to your carrier :Contact your phone provider about these text message scams so they can block the spoofed messages and protect other users from similar fraudulent texts
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Scams – Keep Your Accounts Safe
Two-factor authentication scams are sophisticated spam text messages where scammers trick you into sharing verification codes. These fraudulent texts claim to be from banks or tech companies, asking you to reply with or “confirm” the code you just received.
Real companies send you 2FA codes but never ask you to share them back. These phishing text messages exploit the trust you have in security systems to hijack your accounts and steal your identity.
Protection Guidelines: 🛡️
- Never share verification codes with anyone :Authentication codes are for your eyes only, not for responding to suspicious texts or phone scam messages
- Check official app notifications :Legitimate login attempts appear in your account’s security settings, not through random spam SMS requesting code confirmation
- Use app-based 2FA instead of SMS :Authenticator apps are more secure than text-based codes and protect against these text message scams
- Ignore unknown messages requesting codes :If you receive a 2FA code without trying to log in, someone may be attempting to access your account through smishing messages
| Do’s for 2FA Security | Don’ts – Avoid These Scams |
| Keep codes private | Never share codes via text |
| Use authenticator apps | Don’t reply to spam text messages |
| Enable 2FA on all accounts | Ignore requests to “verify” codes |
| Check login history regularly | Don’t trust fraudulent texts asking for codes |
Final Words
Stay alert and think twice before clicking any link in a text. These 25 spam text examples show how scammers try to trick you every day.
By learning the signs, you can spot fake messages fast. Protect your info and keep your phone safe from scams!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are spam text messages?
Spam text messages are unwanted or suspicious texts that try to steal your info or trick you. They often come from unknown numbers.
How can I identify spam text messages?
Look for urgent requests, unknown senders, or links that seem suspicious. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is!
Are spam text messages dangerous?
Yes! They can steal your personal info, install malware, or trick you into sending money. Always be careful.
Why am I getting spam text messages?
Scammers use random numbers or leaked info to send texts. Sometimes signing up online or sharing your number can increase risk.
How do I block spam text messages on my phone?
Most smartphones let you block unknown numbers or filter messages automatically. Check your settings to stop unwanted texts.
Can spam text messages steal my money?
Absolutely. Some ask for bank info, gift cards, or payment details. Never share sensitive info through text.
What should I do if I respond to a spam text message?
Stop replying, block the sender, and report it. Change passwords for any accounts you think might be compromised.
Nate Wilder has 4 years of experience crafting witty, smart replies and writing about relationships. At CrazyReplies.com, he shares fun, clever, and heartwarming responses that make conversations more interesting and connections stronger.