Medium riskText Message

Fake Voicemail Text Scam

This scam sends a text or email claiming you have a new voicemail or missed call, with a link to 'listen' that leads to a phishing page or prompts you to install an app.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Notification phishing scam
Main red flag
A text or email saying you have a voicemail, with a link to play it instead of using your normal phone or app.
What to do first
Do not tap the link. Check voicemail the way you normally do, through your phone's dialler or your provider's official app.

What this scam usually looks like

This scam sends a text or email claiming you have a new voicemail or missed call, with a link to 'listen' that leads to a phishing page or prompts you to install an app.

Text-message scams, known as "smishing", reach you directly on your phone where a link is only a tap away and messages feel personal and urgent. They impersonate trusted senders, banks, couriers, government, or even people you know, and depend on you acting before you pause to verify.

The single clearest warning sign to remember is this: A text or email saying you have a voicemail, with a link to play it instead of using your normal phone or app. Do not tap the link. Check voicemail the way you normally do, through your phone's dialler or your provider's official app.

Not sure this matches what you received? Compare it with the Two-Factor Code Text Scam or the Wrong Number Text Scam, browse the Text Message Scams guides, or paste the exact message into our free scam checker.

By the numbers

$330M
reported lost to text-message scams in the US in 2022, more than double the year before
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
#1
fake bank fraud alerts were the most-reported text scam type in 2022
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Example message pattern

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'You have 1 new voicemail message (0:38). To listen, sign in here: [suspicious link]'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Why this is a red flag: A text or email saying you have a voicemail, with a link to play it instead of using your normal phone or app.

Red flags to watch for

  • A voicemail or missed-call alert that does not come from your usual phone or provider app
  • A link to 'listen' or 'play' the message rather than a normal voicemail notification
  • A request to sign in or confirm account details to hear the message
  • A prompt to download an app or 'voicemail player' to listen
  • Sender details, spelling, or a link that does not match your phone provider

What to do

  • Do not tap the link or sign in through it
  • Check your voicemail directly through your phone or your provider's official app
  • Compare the sender against your provider's known contact details
  • Delete the message and block the sender

If you already clicked or replied

  • Close the page and do not enter your login or account details
  • If you signed in, change that account's password from a trusted device
  • Turn on two-factor authentication where it is available
  • If you installed anything, remove the app and run a security scan on your device

What not to do

  • Do not enter your email or account password on the linked page
  • Do not install any 'voicemail' app the link suggests
  • Do not forward the link to contacts to check it

Similar scams

High risk Text Message

Two-Factor Code Text Scam

In this scam a fraudster triggers a genuine two-factor or one-time code to your phone, then poses as support staff or a contact to pressure you into reading it back so they can take over your account.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Text Message

Wrong Number Text Scam

This scam starts with a friendly 'wrong number' text, builds a casual conversation over time, and eventually steers you toward a fake investment.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Email

Microsoft Account Email Scam

This scam sends a fake Microsoft or Outlook email about an unusual sign-in or an account about to be closed, linking to a fake Microsoft login page that captures your email and password.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Frequently asked questions

Do real voicemail alerts contain links to click?
Genuine voicemail usually appears in your phone's dialler or your provider's app, not as a text or email with a sign-in link. A link to 'listen' is a common phishing pattern.
It mentions a real missed call, so is it genuine?
A vague missed-call or voicemail claim can apply to almost anyone. Check your actual voicemail through your phone rather than trusting the message.
What is the link usually trying to do?
It often leads to a fake login page that captures your email or account password, or it tries to get you to install an app. Neither is needed to hear a real voicemail.
How do I report a fake voicemail text?
You can forward it to your mobile provider's spam reporting service, report phishing emails to your email provider, and notify your national anti-fraud centre.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.