What It Means
Scam texts are text messages from scammers who want your money or your personal information. The FTC lists the usual hooks: free prizes, gift cards or coupons, credit card or student loanStudent loanMoney borrowed to pay for college or career school, repaid with interest after you leave school; it comes from the federal government or a private lender. See more offers that aren't real, and fake warnings about suspicious activity on an account, a payment problem, an invoice or a package delivery. Most ask you to click a link or reply with details. When this happens by text instead of email, it's a form of phishingPhishingA scam where someone sends an email or text that looks like it's from a company you trust, to trick you into giving up passwords, account numbers or other details. See more.
Try It: Walk Through What to Do With a Scam Text
A text you weren't expecting just asked you to tap a link. Here's what the FTC says to do, one step at a time.
Don't tap the link. A text you didn't expect that asks for personal or financial information is a reason to stop, not to click.
Check with the company yourself. If the text might be real, use a phone number or website you already know. Legitimate companies won't ask about your account by text.
Forward it to 7726 (SPAM). Copy the message and send it to 7726. That helps your wireless provider spot and block similar texts.
Report it in your messaging app. Look for the option to report junk or spam.
Tell the FTC. Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, then delete the text.
How People Say It
- "I got a text saying my package couldn't be delivered, but I didn't order anything."
- "Forward it to 7726 and delete it."
- "They texted me that I won a gift card. Yeah, right."
The Breakdown
Common kinds, from the FTC's list
- A free prize, gift card or coupons
- A low or no interestInterest rateThe yearly percentage a lender charges for borrowing money, not counting fees; the APR adds certain fees to show a fuller cost. See more credit card offer
- Help paying off student loans
- A warning about suspicious activity on your account
- A problem with your payment information
- An invoice you don't recognize
- A package delivery that needs your attention
The FTC says these messages may ask you to give personal information or to click a link to learn more.
What to do
- Don't tap links or reply to a text you weren't expecting that asks for personal or financial information.
- If it might be real, contact the company using a phone number or website you know is right.
- Copy the message and forward it to 7726 (SPAM), so your wireless provider can block similar ones.
- Report it as junk or spam in your messaging app.
- Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, then delete it.
Short version to try today. Show everyone at home how to forward a text on their own phone, so sending a scam to 7726 takes ten seconds.
Good to Know
The FTC says legitimate companies won't ask for information about your account by text, so a text asking for it is a reason to go to the company directly. FTC data released in April 2025 put overall losses to text scams at $470 million in 2024. If you already shared a Social Security, credit card or bank account number, the FTC points you to IdentityTheft.gov for steps based on what you lost.
FAQ
What is 7726?
It spells SPAM on a phone keypad. The FTC says to copy a spam text and forward it to 7726, which helps your wireless provider spot and block similar messages.
How do I report a scam text to the FTC?
Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The FTC also suggests forwarding it to 7726 and using the report junk option in your messaging app.
What happens if I click a link in a scam text?
If you entered personal or financial details, go to IdentityTheft.gov for steps based on what you shared, as the FTC advises. Then contact your bank or the company the text pretended to be, using a number you know is right.
Do It in Buhata
Household Notes
Write "Never tap a link in a surprise text: forward it to 7726, then delete" in Household Notes in Buhata so everyone at home follows the same rule.
Open BuhataRelated Terms and Categories
- Phishing
A scam where someone sends an email or text that looks like it's from a company you trust, to trick you into giving up passwords, account numbers or other details.
- Passkey
A sign-in method that replaces a password with a key stored on your phone, computer or security key, which you unlock with your face, fingerprint or screen PIN.
- Identity theft
When someone uses your name, account details or other personal information without permission to open accounts, make charges or commit other fraud.
- Peer-to-peer payment
Money sent directly from one person to another through a payment app or a bank's app, such as Zelle, Venmo or Cash App.
- Fraud alert
A note on your credit report asking lenders to verify your identity before opening credit; you place it at one bureau, which must tell the other two.
Sources
Federal Trade Commission, "How to Recognize and Report Spam Text Messages"; Federal Trade Commission, "New FTC Data Show Top Text Message Scams of 2024; Overall Losses to Text Scams Hit $470 Million" (April 2025); Federal Trade Commission, "How To Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams"
- consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages
- search.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/04/new-ftc-data-show-top-text-message-scams-2024-overall-losses-text-scams-hit-470-million
- consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-avoid-phishing-scams
Last updated .