Text Message Scams
Text message scams arrive as SMS or app messages that pretend to be from a delivery company, bank, government agency, or even a stranger who 'texted the wrong number.' They usually contain a short, urgent message and a link. The goal is to get you to click before you think, so you hand over login details, card numbers, or a verification code.
Common red flags
- An unexpected text with a link from a number you do not recognise
- Urgent wording such as 'act now' or 'your account will be closed'
- A request to pay a small fee to release a package or avoid a fine
- Shortened or odd-looking links that do not match the real company
- A request for a verification code, password, or card number
Text Message scam guides
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
Fake Toll Road Text Scam
This scam texts you about a small unpaid toll and threatens late fees, linking to a fake page that collects your card and personal details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
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.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
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
Amazon Prime Text Scam
This scam sends a text claiming your Amazon Prime membership has auto-renewed or that a payment failed, with a number to call or a link to 'cancel' that is used to harvest your login and card details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
SIM Swap Scam
In a SIM swap scam, a fraudster persuades your mobile carrier to move your number to their SIM, then intercepts your calls and one-time codes to break into your accounts.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Utility Disconnection Scam
This scam uses a text or call posing as your electricity, gas, or water company, threatening to cut off service within the hour unless you pay immediately by an unusual method.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Family Emergency Text Scam
This scam sends a text from an unknown number claiming to be your child or relative who lost their phone, then urgently asks you to pay a bill or send money.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
QR Code Scam
This scam uses a malicious QR code, often a sticker over a real one or sent by text, that leads to a fake payment or login page or prompts a harmful app install.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Lottery Winner Scam
This scam tells you that you have won a lottery or prize draw you never entered, then asks for an upfront fee, tax payment, or personal details to release the supposed winnings.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Text From Your Own Number Scam
This scam sends a text that appears to come from your own phone number, often posing as your mobile carrier with a reward or account-issue link, using the spoofed sender to seem trustworthy.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Fake Phone Carrier Text Scam
This scam sends a text posing as your mobile network, claiming a loyalty reward, overdue bill, or account problem, and links to a fake login or payment page that harvests your details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Customer Survey Scam
This scam invites you to complete a short customer satisfaction survey for a reward from a known brand, then asks for card details to cover 'shipping' on the prize or harvests your personal data.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Energy Rebate Scam
This scam claims you are owed an energy bill rebate, refund, or cost-of-living payment from your supplier or government, then links to a fake claim page that harvests your bank or card details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
New Login Alert Scam
This scam sends a fake security warning claiming a new device or unfamiliar location signed into your account, urging you to 'secure' it through a link that leads to a fake login page built to steal your password.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
One Ring Call Scam
In this scam, also called Wangiri, a single ring comes from an international or premium-rate number hoping curiosity makes you call back, connecting you to a costly premium line that charges by the minute.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Appointment Reminder Scam
This scam sends a fake appointment reminder for a doctor, dentist, licensing office, or service and asks you to confirm, reschedule, or pay a small fee through a link that quietly harvests your personal or card details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Loyalty Points Scam
This scam claims your loyalty points, reward balance, or air miles are about to expire and pushes you to redeem them through a link, which leads to a phishing page built to steal your account login or card details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
DVLA Text Scam
This scam sends a text posing as the DVLA, claiming your vehicle tax failed, a refund is owed, or your details need updating, then links to a fake page that collects your bank and card details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
School Fees Text Scam
This scam sends a text or email posing as your child's school, nursery, or club, asking you to pay fees, a trip, or set up a 'new payment system' through a link that quietly harvests your card or bank details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Fake Insurance Renewal Scam
This scam uses a text or call posing as your car, home, or health insurer, claiming your policy is due, has lapsed, or is owed a refund, then pushes you to a fake payment or login page or to pay by unusual methods.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Parking Fine Text Scam
This scam sends a text claiming you have an unpaid parking charge or penalty that must be paid quickly through a link to avoid extra fees, leading to a fake payment page built to steal your card details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Loan Offer Text Scam
This scam sends an unsolicited text offering a pre-approved loan or payday advance with 'guaranteed approval', then either harvests your bank and ID details on a fake lender page or demands an upfront 'release' or 'insurance' fee for a loan that never arrives.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Fake Boss Text Scam
This scam sends a text claiming to be your manager or CEO from a new or personal number, urgently and discreetly asking you to buy gift cards, make a payment or share information, relying on your respect for authority to skip the usual checks.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Account Suspended Text Scam
This scam texts that an account has been suspended, limited, or locked for 'security reasons' and links to a fake login page that captures your username, password, and other details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Streaming Payment Text Scam
This scam texts that your streaming subscription payment failed and the account will be suspended, linking to a fake page that captures your login and card details to 'update billing'.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Tech Support Text Scam
This scam texts that your device is infected, hacked, or compromised and urges you to call a 'support' number, where a fake agent seeks remote access, payment, or your account details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Political Donation Text Scam
This scam texts urgent appeals pretending to be a political campaign or cause, using deadlines and matching-donation claims to push you to a fake page that takes your card and personal details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Disaster Relief Donation Text Scam
This scam sends texts after a disaster or crisis, posing as a relief charity and using emotional urgency to push you to a fake donation page that collects your card and personal details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Subscription Cancellation Text Scam
This scam texts that a subscription or trial will auto-charge a large amount unless you cancel now, linking to a fake page that harvests your login and card details under the pressure to stop the charge.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Refund Failed Text Scam
This scam texts that a refund you are owed 'could not be processed' and asks you to confirm or re-enter your bank or card details through a link that captures them for fraud.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Mobile Wallet Charge Text Scam
This scam texts that a payment was made from your mobile wallet, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay, and tells you to tap a link or call a number to 'dispute' it, leading to a fake page or a scammer posing as support.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Reservation Confirmation Text Scam
This scam texts a fake reservation confirmation for a restaurant, hotel, or appointment and asks you to confirm, modify, or pay a deposit through a link that captures your card and personal details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Prescription Ready Text Scam
This scam texts that your prescription is ready and needs a small delivery fee or confirmation of your details, linking to a fake page that collects your card and personal or health information.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Compensation Claim Text Scam
This scam texts that you are owed compensation for an accident, a mis-sold product, or a data breach, and asks you to claim through a link that harvests your personal and bank details or sets up bogus claims in your name.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Data Breach Alert Text Scam
This scam texts that your data or account was exposed in a breach and urges you to 'secure' or 'verify' it through a link, leading to a fake login page that steals the very credentials it claims to protect.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
New Payee Text Scam
This scam texts that a new payee or recipient has been added to your bank account and tells you to call a number or tap a link to cancel it, leading to a fake page or a scammer posing as your bank's fraud team.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Roaming Charge Text Scam
This scam texts travellers that they must activate roaming or pay a data fee through a link, leading to a fake page that collects card and account details while you are abroad and less able to verify.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Premium SMS Subscription Text Scam
This scam signs you up to a premium-rate SMS service, often after a quiz, competition, or app, then charges you for each message received, with vague opt-out instructions that are hard to act on.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Bank Statement Text Scam
This scam texts that your bank statement or account summary is ready to view and links to a fake login page that captures your online banking credentials.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Secure Message Text Scam
This scam texts that you have a new secure message from your bank, government, or service provider and links you to log in to read it, leading to a fake page that steals your credentials.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Card Deactivated Text Scam
This scam texts that your debit or credit card has been deactivated or blocked and links you to a fake page to 'reactivate' it, capturing your card number, PIN, and online banking details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Direct Debit Cancelled Text Scam
This scam texts that a direct debit or standing payment has been cancelled or failed and links you to 'reinstate' it, leading to a fake page that captures your bank login and payment details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Pet Microchip Renewal Text Scam
This scam texts pet owners that their pet's microchip registration has expired or needs updating for a fee, linking to a fake page that collects card and personal details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
MOT Reminder Text Scam
This scam texts that your vehicle's MOT or service is due or overdue and links you to 'book' or 'pay' through a fake page that collects your card and personal details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Betting Bonus Text Scam
This scam texts a free bet, casino bonus, or 'winnings' to claim, linking to a fake page that collects your card, ID, and account details, or signs you up to charges.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Flight Cancellation Text Scam
This scam texts that your flight is cancelled or changed and tells you to rebook or claim a refund through a link or number, leading to a fake page or a scammer posing as airline support who takes payment and details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Phone Bill Overdue Text Scam
This scam texts that your mobile bill is overdue and your service will be suspended unless you pay immediately through a link, leading to a fake page that captures your card and account details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Speeding Fine Text Scam
This scam texts that you have an outstanding speeding or traffic fine and must pay immediately to avoid penalties, court, or points, linking to a fake page that collects your card and personal details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Broadband Provider Text Scam
This scam texts that your broadband bill failed, a refund is due, or your service will be cut, impersonating your internet provider and linking to a fake page that collects your card and account details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Vehicle Recall Text Scam
This scam texts that your vehicle has an urgent safety recall and links you to 'book a repair' or confirm details, leading to a fake page that collects your personal and payment information.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Funeral Notice Text Scam
This scam texts a fake funeral or memorial notice for a friend or relative, urging you to click a link to view details, a live-stream, or donate, leading to a phishing page or a fake donation collector.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Water Bill Text Scam
This scam texts that your water bill is overdue, a refund is due, or supply will be cut, impersonating your water company and linking to a fake page that collects your card and account details.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Gas Safety Inspection Text Scam
This scam texts that your annual gas safety check or boiler service is overdue or legally required, urging you to book or pay through a link that collects your card and personal details, or sends an unqualified caller.
Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Frequently asked questions
How do scammers get my phone number?
Is it safe to reply STOP to a scam text?
Should I click the link just to see what it is?
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