In today’s digital world, it can feel a lot harder to spot messages that are suspicious versus ones that are genuine, but there are signs to look out for.
Scam messages have become an increasingly common part of everyday life, and unfortunately, they’re not always as easy to spot as they used to be. From realistic-looking texts that appear to come from companies you recognize to messages designed to create a sense of urgency, scammers have gotten much better at making their attempts seem legitimate. Still, there are certain red flags you can watch for that can help you recognize a scam before you click a link or share any personal information. Read more about three of them below.
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1. 'Wrong Number'
A message from an unfamiliar number claiming to have contacted you by mistake might seem harmless, especially if the sender quickly strikes up a friendly conversation. But so-called "wrong number" texts have become a common tactic used by scammers to get unsuspecting people to respond and eventually engage with a fraudulent scheme. "Be skeptical of new online relationships that take an interest in your finances, especially if they refuse to meet in person," says Darius Kingsley, a scam prevention expert.
"Older adults are often the target of romance scams, where a scammer builds trust over time before making financial requests. To protect yourself, limit social media connections to people you know and don't respond to unsolicited texts, calls, or emails. Even seemingly harmless 'wrong-number' texts are often part of a scam, intended to prompt a response and draw you into a conversation."
2. Texts From 'Apple'
Receiving a text claiming there's an issue with your Apple account can be especially alarming if you rely on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac for your everyday life. These messages often try to convince you that your account is at risk or requires immediate attention, hoping you'll click a link before stopping to question the message.
"Scammers have become extremely good at sending text messages that look exactly like they came from Apple, a company that most people don't question," explains tech expert Ron Kerbs. "They include perfect logos, real-looking Apple IDs, and even messages that mirror your actual purchase history. You receive an alert telling you there's a suspicious login on your account, or a charge you need to review, and they drop a link that lands you on a page that's nearly indistinguishable from the real Apple sign-in page... It's important to remember that Apple will never ask you to verify your account through a text message link. If something looks off, go directly to Apple.com by typing the link in yourself. Do not ever tap the links sent to you."
3. Account Verification Texts
Account verification messages can look surprisingly legitimate, particularly when they appear to be connected to a service you actually use. Scammers may claim that you need to verify your identity, confirm a login, or take another immediate action, using the message to lure you into clicking a suspicious link or handing over sensitive information.
"Attackers send texts pretending to be from delivery companies, banks, HMRC, Apple, or Google, urging users to click a link or 'verify' their account," notes tech pro Darren Kimuli. "These messages often look authentic and use urgency, for example, 'Your account will be locked in 2 hours,' to push quick action. Clicking the link can lead to credential theft or malware installation."
