What is Smishing (SMS Phishing)? Examples & Tactics

Are you gullible to Smishing (SMS Phishing) and need help in identifying threats? Our guide will tell you what is smishing, how to spot different types of smishing attacks, and how to protect yourself.

Smishing falls under the larger term of SMS phishing because scammers can use a short message service to outsmart their victims in order to gain access to personal information, maybe a password, money, or perhaps one’s bank account. They create the messages as if they had originated from reputable institutions, such as banks, government departments, or other reputable corporations. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), bank impersonation is the most common text message scam, accounting for 10% of all smishing messages.

The core purpose behind sending smishing messages is to trick the recipient into clicking malicious links, revealing private information through a reply, or downloading malware or other malicious content. Although the message appears legitimate, it is created with an ulterior motive of monetary benefit at the cost of unsuspecting victims. The true reason why cybercriminals increasingly make use of smishing for their attack is that mobile phones have almost become an essential adjunct to everyday life, and users are more likely to believe a text message than an email.

In this article, we will look at smishing in detail: how it works, how to recognize the warning signs, and what is the difference between smishing and traditional phishing. We will further consider the impact smishing has on businesses, as attacks may even culminate in compromised employee credentials or large-scale breaches of data. Further, we will let you in on how cybercriminals go about carrying out a smishing attack, mostly through tactics of impersonation and urgency to deceive the victim.

What is Smishing (SMS Phishing)?

Smishing is phishing specifically toward mobile phones and SMS/text messaging. In such an attack, malicious messages are sent to mobile phones, similar to messages sent by legitimate sites like a bank, a store, or a governmental agency. The attacker in such a case will aim to make a victim click on a malicious link or fill out a form full of sensitive information via text message.

Such scams could lead to identity theft, unauthorized access to personal or corporate accounts, and financial fraud. With the growing need for mobile communication, smishing has also surfaced as one of the most highly utilized channels by cybercriminals who target such innocent users.

Common Signs of Smishing

Smishing messages seem to originate from an authentic source; they often come from organizations that you trust so much. However, there are signs that might indicate that it is smishing. Here are some common signs:

• Soliciting messages requiring you to do something urgently, such as locking a bank account or failing to pay for something.
• You get a suspicious link that requires you to log into your account or update some of your details.
• Requests for your password credit card number or Social Security number
• Poor spelling and punctuation. This could indicate that the sender is a scammer.
• A phone number that does not look legitimate or professional.

Difference Between Smishing Vs. Phishing Vs. Vishing

The main difference between smishing vs phishing versus vishing are the communication channels that are used to launch these attacks.

• Phishing will trick users into giving out their sensitive details via email, websites, and online forms. 
• Smishing is associated with fraudulent text messages that are delivered to phones and SMS services. This is the basic smishing definition.
• Vishing is fraudulent communication that's done over the phone and involves recorded messages, voice calls, and VoIP technologies.

Types of Smishing Attacks

There's a lot you have to watch out for when it comes to the different types of SMS phishing attacks. Bank frauds and financial alerts are notorious. Scammers can pretend to be officials from financial institutions and warn you of suspicious activity or locked accounts. They can trick you into visiting fake login portals and harvest your credentials through them.

• Package delivery scams are another kind of smishing tactic where a victim will receive a text about how one of their packages have been delayed. Maybe they are missing a delivery fee or need an address update. Threat actors can impersonate services like FedEx, Amazon and UPS. You may also get government agency impersonators along the way. They may threaten to collect fines, take legal action or initiate proceedings if you don't comply with their demands. Most impersonators may pretend to come from the IRS or Social Security Administration.
• Account verification and security scams are another popular smishing tactic. These are usually alerts that claim unauthorized logins being detected across social media and streaming services. They can urge you to secure your accounts by clicking on malicious links.
• Tech support and malware scams are also pretty notorious but well known. A hacker might warn you of a virus on your device and ask you to download an antivirus app to clean it up. They might promise to get rid of an infection or ask you to call a support number. When you actually call or engage with them, they can install spyware and gain remote access over your desktop or device. 
• Business email compromise scams are also common where attackers can impersonate your colleagues, CEOs, CFOs and ask for urgent wire transfers or the purchase of gift cards.
• “Pig butchering scams” and wrong numbers are also another kind of smishing campaign that's not that well known but pretty obvious. It's a conversational tactic where a scammer will call or contact you with a mistaken greeting. They'll try to build long term trust and eventually lure you into some of their fake investment schemes.

How Smishing Works?

Smishing attacks usually come in a well-planned and executed scheme to dupe the target individual into revealing sensitive information or accessing a phishing website. These scams are based on trust and urgency.

They pretend to create imaginary urgency that would motivate the targeted victim to react without allowing himself or herself to fully mull over the risks. Here’s how it usually happens:

1. The Bait: The attack first appears as a text message purporting to come from a trusted organization, say a bank, a government agency, a delivery company, or a retail giant. These messages generally are crafted to appear as official as possible, by using familiar logos, language, or formats to convince the recipient that the message is coming from the stated organization. At this point, the hook only aims at catching the attention of the victim and making him believe the message.
2. The Hook: Then the message appeals to the recipient to act swiftly by sensing either urgency or fear. It could state that there is an urgent need to correct a problem with the bank account, missed payment, or a problem with the delivery. The message may require the victim to click on a link, make a call to some phone number, or reply with sensitive information such as login credentials or account numbers. That is the key strategy in smishing because it forces the victim to react in accordance with urgency without taking time to verify if the message is authentic or not.
3. The Deception: Once the victim follows instructions, he or she will be promoted to a false website that could almost look like the real one. The site can request personal details such as usernames, passwords, or credit card information. Sometimes, the message may cause the download of malware into the victim’s device instead of acquiring his/her information directly. It silently waits for commands and grabs or steals other sensitive information credentials and even unlocks the possibility of having an attacker who is remotely accessing the device.
4. The Theft: At this stage or immediately after the data theft, this type of cyber attacker then extracts personal information, financial accounts, or sensitive business information from the victims. Usually, stolen data is then sold on the dark web and can be used later to further exploit the victim, such as by identity theft, unauthorized bank transfers, or further attacks on systems in corporations.

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Common Smishing Tactics Used by Cybercriminals

Cybercrime attackers use various means to make the smishing message appear valid and force the recipient to take prompt action. Trust, urgency, and curiosity are methods used by attackers to trick a victim into revealing his or her personal information or participating in other malicious actions through harmful links.

Some of the frequently used smishing techniques by attackers include:

• Impersonation: The most common one is to create a fake image by using the names of famous brands such as banks, online shops, or offices of government. Messages written as though they are from reputable sources, with logos and words and phrases that are familiar, and contact information that appears legitimate, mislead the recipient into believing that the message must be trusted and to do as told, which he does under the assumption that he is doing it to a trustworthy organization.
• Urgency and fear: Cybercrooks often create a sense of urgency or fear in the victim. For instance, messages may predict a security alert, account suspension, or some suspicious activity that requires attention right away. Inducing panic will encourage victims to bypass caution and click on a link or hand over sensitive information without verifying whether it is genuine.
• Enticing offers: This is another common trick where it uses attractive offers like prizes or gift cards in exchange for money, exclusive sales, or free rewards in exchange for money or information. The message claims that a prize is attached or that an offer will run out soon but only in exchange for personal information or a click. Such a lure reinforces the desire for a prize or discount and makes people more vulnerable to the scam.
• Delivery notifications: This is another common method that scammers use, especially during holidays. For instance, this holiday season, according to the message, a package is coming or even a delivery is delayed and requests the recipient to follow up with the tracking details by clicking on a link. Since many people are expecting delivery at given times, this feels very convincing, thus increasing the chances of engagement.

How to Identify a Smishing Attack

It is quite difficult to recognize a smishing attack, but there are certain signs that would make you differentiate between an official text message and one that is not.

If you are alert and aware of what to look for, there is a good chance of self-protection against falling prey to these scams. Here are some good ways to identify potential smishing attacks:

1. Check the Sender’s Number: One of the most important things to do when receiving a message is to first try to identify the number that the message came from. Spamming and scammers usually send their messages from unknown or unwanted phone numbers that appear suspicious or even spammy. If the number does not trigger a memory and is not in your address book, and is either a short generic code, then be very cautious. Legitimate organizations usually correspond from authenticated and registered phone numbers.
2. Look for Unexpected Requests: Beware of a text message that asks you to give personal details like password, SS number, or credit card number. Legal organizations do not request such information via text messages. If the message requests your personal information and also says that your account needs to be authenticated without prior notice, then it is most probably a kind of smishing.
3. Scrutinize Links: If the message has links, roll over them without clicking to know the URL that it leads to. It will help you know if that is taking you to a suspicious or even an unknown site. Check the spelling. The spelling should be the same as the legitimate organization’s official website. Do not click links coming from unsolicited messages since it will lead you to fake sites whose primary aim is to steal your information.
4. Trust Your Instincts: Trust your instinct when evaluating a text message. Sometimes, you just know something is fishy or the message does not even make sense for the company it’s claiming to represent; it could be a scam. Pay attention to the tone as well as the language used in the message. Smishing attempts contain poorly written grammar or spelling mistakes, which are often a giveaway of a fraudulent message. Call the organization directly if you ever feel that something is not right. Contact them through the officially approved channels. They will let you know whether it’s really their message or not.

How to Stop Smishing: Smishing Best Practices

There are several smishing best practices to protect a person and business against smishing attacks effectively. If you wish to take steps proactively and get informed, there is a high chance of minimizing the risks associated with falling for these scams.

Some effective strategies one can practice to stop smishing include:

1. Don’t Click on Links in Unsolicited or Unexpected Text Messages: The best mechanism to avoid smishing would be never to click any links in text messages unsolicited or unexpected. If you receive a message asking you to click a link, wait a moment and ensure that it is from a trusted person or organization before you click on it. Clicking such links might connect you to harmful sites that steal your information or install malware on your device.
2. Verify the Sender: In case you get a suspicious text claiming it is from an organization or company, try to confirm the sender by contacting the organization, through official lines. Do not answer the text nor use any contact details provided in the message because they could also be fraudulent. It’s prudent to check the contact details by which you could verify if indeed the message was authentic through the company’s official website.
3. Don’t Respond to Suspicious Messages: Never reply to messages asking for personal or financial information. Legitimate organizations rarely ask for sensitive data via text message. A message that asks for such information is probably smishing. The best course of action is typically to just delete the message.
4. Enable Spam Filters: If your mobile device supports some spam filtering, activate that. Spam filtering may limit unwanted messages from flooding your inbox, and you may better filter out valid information. Configuring your spam filters also helps reduce the effectiveness of smishing attacks.
5. Report Smishing: If you receive a smishing attempt, report it to your carrier or the local authorities. Most carriers have mechanisms for reporting fraudulent texts that can help them act against scammers. Reporting also raises awareness and helps protect others from similar attacks.
6. Educate Employees: Teaching employees about the risks of smishing and how to identify it is a must for businesses. Employees should be trained frequently in order to make them more vigilant with regard to smishing techniques, warning signals, and proper security measures for confidential data. Educated employees are perhaps the best assets for the security culture in an organization.

Smishing Attacks Examples

Here are some common examples of smishing you need to be aware of:

• Banking scams are common where victims are led to fake login portals via SMS. We have government and tax smidging scams as well, where the attacker will ask for your social security number to process a refund. They'll say something like a tax refund is waiting for you.
• Internal business and CEO fraud involves SMS texts from IT support about mandatory software updates or any urgent requests from the CEO.
• We also have wrong number and relationship scams, where the attacker will try to build trust and lure you.

Conclusion

Hopefully, our guide helped and if you need further assistance, feel free to reach out to the SentinelOne team.

Now you know what exactly goes into a smishing attack and how it works. We've explained what smishing in cybersecurity is and you're also aware of the latest smishing best practices. All you have to do now is stay vigilant, educate your users, and secure accounts accordingly.

Don't leave your mobile phone out in the open because someone can physically steal your data and send you a smishing text later. Be wary of online communication channels as well and take the steps needed to prevent smishing.

Smishing (SMS Phishing) FAQs

What is smishing in cyber security?

SMS phishing, or smishing, is a particular type of cybercrime where the attacker sends malicious messages to the victim via short texts, as a result of which the victims are fooled into giving out sensitive information like their bank account number, Social Security number, or log-in password. Most of these messages seem to be coming from a reliable source and are thus very convincing.

How to prevent smishing Attacks?

Prevent smishing attacks by not clicking on any strange link received via unwanted text messages as well as not responding to unsolicited demands for personal information. Verify if the sender is legitimate by contacting the organization using official contact details rather than relying on the information received in the suspected text.

How to Respond to Smishing?

If you receive a suspicious text message, don’t retaliate. Instead, report the message through the reporting features of your mobile carrier or contact local authorities. You should also delete the text message afterward because it is likely to become a threat in the future.

Why are Smishing Attacks Particularly Effective?

People trust text messages more than emails because they're personal and usually come from people you know. Attackers exploit this by creating urgent scenarios—your package is delayed, your account is locked, you need to confirm payment. 

You'll act quickly without thinking. Phones also have less security than computers, and you're checking texts on the go, which means you're not as careful. Attackers can spoof numbers to look like legitimate companies, making it harder to tell what's real.

Can I Reply to Smishing?

It is never safe to respond to a smishing message. Responding might be considered as confirmation to the sender that your phone number is valid, thus leading to more spam or possible scam messages in the future. Report the message and delete it; this is the best response. You should always be on your guard regarding such threats.

What is a Smishing Text?

A smishing text is an SMS message designed to trick you into clicking a malicious link or sharing personal information. These messages typically create panic or urgency—they might claim your delivery is delayed, your bank account needs verification, or you've won a prize. 

They'll include a link to click or ask you to text back with details. The messages look professional and come from what appears to be a legitimate source, but it's fake.

What are some common smishing scams I should be aware of?

Delivery scams claim your package can't be delivered and ask you to click a link to reschedule. Banking scams say your account will be closed if you don't verify information immediately. Prize scams tell you that you've won something and need to claim it. Account verification scams pretend to be PayPal, Amazon, or Apple asking you to confirm your details. 

Some scams offer refunds or tax returns. Any text that creates urgency and asks for money or personal information is likely smishing, regardless of who it claims to be from.