Cybercriminals are getting smarter and SMS scams are on the rise. In October, reports of fraudulent text messages surged by 14% across Australia and New Zealand1, signaling a growing threat to individuals and businesses alike.
Research also shows that people are 4-5 times more likely to click links in an SMS message than ones recieved in an email. It seems we’ve learned the lesson about suspect emails, but we’re still not up to speed when it comes to our phones.
Here’s what you need to watch out for:
1. Prize and lottery scams
These scams promise big wins or exclusive giveaways, often with urgent calls to “claim now.” They prey on excitement and fear of missing out, pushing recipients to click links without thinking twice.
How to protect yourself: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
2. Fake charity appeals
Cybercriminals impersonate legitimate aid organizations, referencing global crises to tug at your heartstrings. Their goal? Quick donations through unverified links.
How to protect yourself: Verify charity requests through official websites before donating.
3. Shopping scams
With holiday sales in full swing, cybercriminals mimic trusted retailers offering “VIP deals” or “last-minute discounts.” These fake offers blend seamlessly with real promotions, making them harder to spot.
How to protect yourself: Verify the deal on the retailers official website and avoid clicking on unsolicited offers.
Why do people fall for these scams?
Emotional triggers like hope, empathy, and urgency try to make victims act fast without verifying a request or offer first. Cybercriminals know this and exploit it.
How to protect yourself
- Don’t engage: Never click links or reply to suspicious messages.
- Verify independently: Use official websites or trusted phone numbers.
- Look for warning signs: Poor grammar, unfamiliar senders, and pressure tactics.
- Use security tools: Most security tools can either help block scam messages before they reach you, or at the least alert you that a message is suspicious.
Stay alert. Stay safe. SMS scams aren’t going away, but with awareness and the right precautions, you can avoid becoming a victim.
Outfox can help your team to recognise scams through our online training. See this story about one of our customer’s experience with a phone scam.
- Source: Trend Micro ↩︎