Is That Text a Scam? 10 Real Examples and How to Tell
If a text creates urgency, asks you to click a link to verify something, or claims to be from a delivery company, bank, or government agency you weren't expecting to hear from, treat it as a scam until proven otherwise.
The pattern behind almost every scam text
Nearly all of them use the same formula: create urgency or fear, then give you one link to click. That's the tell more than any specific wording.
10 real examples
1. "Your package couldn't be delivered" — real shipping notifications rarely ask for a redelivery fee by text link.
2. "Suspicious activity on your account" — real banks direct you to log in through their app, not a text link.
3. "You've won a prize" — if you didn't enter anything, you didn't win anything.
4. "Your subscription payment failed" — designed to get you to "update payment info" on a fake login page.
5. "This is [family member], I lost my phone" — followed by a request for money. Worth a phone call to verify, always.
6. "IRS/government notice" — the IRS does not initiate contact by text about payments or refunds.
7. "Your Apple ID has been locked" — same fake urgency, fake login link pattern.
8. "Job offer, easy pay, apply now" — especially for jobs you never applied to.
9. "Verify your identity to avoid service interruption" — vague enough to apply to any account, which is itself a red flag.
10. "A friend shared photos with you" — link-only text, often carrying malware.
What to actually do
Don't click the link. Don't reply. If you're worried it might be real, go directly to the company's official app or website, typed in yourself, and check your account there. If it claims to be a person you know, call them.
Frequently asked questions
Should I reply STOP to a scam text?
No, replying confirms your number is active and monitored, which can lead to more spam.
Can I just block the number?
Yes, and it's a reasonable first step, but check your accounts if you already clicked a link.
What if I already clicked the link?
Don't enter any information on the page it opens. If you already did, change that account's password immediately.
How do I report a scam text?
Forward it to 7726 (spells SPAM) on most US carriers, which reports it directly to your provider.