FBI Warns Americans to Delete This Off Their Phone Immediately
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is issuing a crucial alert.
Though it may sound like the latest viral trend, the FBI is making it clear that "smishing" is a serious cybersecurity threat. Americans are being warned about a surge in "smishing" attacks that are targeting large numbers of individuals.
Numerous reports confirm that the FBI has released an updated warning about "smishing," initially highlighting the issue back in March 2024.
"Smishing" is a fusion of "phishing," a term commonly associated with online scams, and "SMS," which refers to standard text messaging.
According to Newsweek, this latest "smishing" campaign has already "exploited more than 10,000 newly registered domains, using fake payment demands to steal personal and financial information."
These fraudulent "smishing" texts tend to follow a specific "script," with the most recent scheme involving messages claiming that recipients owe unpaid toll fees.
(This writer has personally received multiple versions of these texts, despite rarely driving outside my neighborhood—where there are no toll roads.)
Since not everyone encounters toll roads, the New York Post notes that these "smishing" scams have also begun mimicking delivery service notifications.
Fortunately, protecting oneself from these deceptive messages is straightforward.
As Forbes reports, the FBI is advising both iPhone and Android users to "delete any smishing texts received."
The Federal Trade Commission has also weighed in, cautioning users (emphasis added) not to click on any links.
"Not only is the scammer trying to steal your money, but if you click the link, they could get your personal info (like your driver’s license number) — and even steal your identity," the FTC warned in early 2025.
The problem is so widespread that the FTC has a dedicated page aimed at helping users recognize and guard against increasingly sophisticated scam attempts.
Beyond avoiding any suspicious links, the FTC advises individuals to contact local authorities directly to verify whether they truly owe any toll fees. They also provide guidance on filtering, blocking, and reporting these fraudulent messages.
For those fortunate enough to have not yet encountered these scams, the "smishing" strategy remains the same.
The scammer sends a message designed to sound urgent, warning that the recipient has an unpaid fee—whether for a toll or a delivery. These messages typically come from an unofficial-looking email address, such as xyzabc123@hotmail.com, rather than a credible domain like "dmv.gov." The goal is to direct victims to a network of fraudulent sites—those "10,000 newly registered domains"—where personal and financial data can be stolen.
To combat these scams, users can forward the fraudulent messages to 7726 (SPAM) before deleting them, helping wireless providers identify and block the source of these attacks.