5 Expert-Level Tips to Stay Protected from the Latest Mobile Messaging Scams

If you've never fallen for a text messaging scam, consider yourself lucky.

Americans send more than 67,000 text messages every second, according to CTIA. That's an average of more than 6,300 messages per person a year, or roughly 17.5 per day. And when you consider that 98% of text messages are opened, it's a very reliable, engaging communications channel.

That also makes it a powerful avenue for scammers and bad actors. In 2023, the Consumer Sentinel Network received 230,407 reports of text message fraud that led to $372 million in financial losses. But, as the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) noted in its annual report, "because the vast majority of frauds are not reported to the government, these figures reflect just a small fraction of the public harm."

Victims may regret falling for such a scheme, but it's important to remember that there's no shame in it. These scams are designed to be convincing, and scammers are continually honing their approaches to ensnare more and more people. While mobile network operators (MNOs) implement solutions that ensure messaging remains secure and trustworthy, they must continue educating subscribers on the latest scam tactics.

With that in mind, here are five tips to help anyone avoid falling for the newest messaging scams. 

1. Don't trust local numbers blindly

You may think that because a message is coming from your local area code, the sender must be someone you know. But much like how businesses of all sizes have begun pivoting from five-digit short codes to 10-digit long codes (10-DLCs) to increase trust and familiarity among their customers, scammers have started doing the same to lead their targets into a false sense of security.

Number spoofing is a technique used often by scammers. Be just as cautious of messages coming from phone numbers starting with local area codes as you would be with any other number, especially if those messages tout a promotional offer, an update on your package delivery, or something unexpected.

2. Scrutinize the contents of the message

Companies meticulously review what they send to their customers, regardless of how they choose to communicate. Any errors can undermine their professionalism and affect their reputation.

For that reason, what may seem like an innocent typo is how scammers attempt to beat fraud-detection software. Including an extra space after a dollar sign but before the value (such as $ 7.49) or using Cyrillic characters (like м instead of m, or Ш instead of W) or accent marks (like á, è, or ü) in what appears to be a company's URL, are giveaways that something's amiss. We've found that around 15% of blocked campaigns attempt to use these methods.

So, believe what you're seeing — not what you want to see. Develop a habit of closely examining the words and characters in suspicious messages, especially those that claim to be from well-known companies or services.

3. Be alert to urgency

Humans may not make the best decisions under pressure. Scammers love to prey on this fact.

A two-for-one deal on T-shirts that expires at midnight compels a customer to act in the moment. So, too, does a message from a stranded loved one that asks you to send money ASAP.

These sudden requests bypass our critical thinking skills. The scarcity principle is real, but legitimate organizations don't typically demand immediate action from consumers. A friend may need roadside assistance, but that person isn't likely to ask you for money before a tow truck arrives.

Be highly skeptical of these kinds of messages. Take time to think about whether you believe it's real. And, if you're still unsure ...

4. Verify all claims independently

If you find a scam message enticing, do some legwork. Type the retailer's URL into your browser and see if it advertises the two-for-one T-shirt offer on its website. Call your friend on their number to see if they're in trouble. Independent fact-checking goes a long way in protecting yourself from considerable losses.

Banks and financial institutions will often try to contact you through multiple channels, so log onto your banking app to see if there's a message waiting in your online portal — or visit a branch or call the customer service number to confirm any alert you receive. You can also check with your carrier to see if the message is legitimate, or with local law enforcement if you're concerned about someone's well-being.

If you're in doubt, check it out.

5. Report, don't engage

Above all, don't respond to a message if you find it suspicious — even to say "stop" or to mess with the scammer. Instead, report it to your carrier.

Nearly 25% of respondents to a recent survey said they have answered an email or SMS message from someone they didn't know. And although it may be tempting to be polite and write back, or even lead the scammer on, doing so puts a target on your back.

By answering, you tell the scammer that your phone number is active, and if they can't swindle you, they'll sell your data to other scammers. This increases the likelihood that you receive additional messages — including more sophisticated, personalized scams that you may fall for in the future.

Your best approach is to forward the message to 7726 (SPAM) or tap “Delete and Report Junk” on iOS, which will alert your carrier. By reporting the message, you're improving the carrier's fraud detection systems and helping them identify and block similar messages for everyone else.

Fighting back against messaging fraud

Because scammers can easily deceive people and profit off their weaknesses, the sheer number and impact of messaging scams won't die down anytime soon.

At Syniverse, we're continuously developing solutions that protect networks and their subscribers from these messaging scams — and others like them — before they reach devices. We deliver 84 million messages an hour to more than 800 MNOs located in 200-plus countries and territories, and scan roughly 1 billion a day given the time of year, so we know what scammers are up to.

Our innovative anti-spam engine harnesses the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to quickly identify and intercept anything harmful or fraudulent. We can block messages that include special characters, review conversations as episodes and cut them off if they appear to be malicious, and even scrutinize linked websites to verify their authenticity.

 We’re committed to keeping messages trustworthy and safe. Let's fight back and outsmart the scammers together.

Contact Syniverse today to learn more about how we can safeguard your network and ensure messaging remains secure and reliable for your subscribers.