10 Real-Life Smishing Examples to Strengthen Cybersecurity Awareness

In 2024, smishing—phishing through SMS—has surged to new heights, targeting users of all ages. According to Keepnet, only 23% of users over 55 can accurately define smishing, while 34% of millennials recognize the term, highlighting a significant gap in awareness across age groups. Unlike traditional email phishing, smishing takes advantage of the instant and personal nature of text messages, making it easier for attackers to deceive even the most cautious users.

This article dives into 10 real-life smishing examples, offering insights into how these attacks work and how solutions like Keepnet’s phishing simulator and smishing simulator can help organizations train their teams and reduce risks effectively.

Why Smishing is a Growing Concern

Unlike email phishing, smishing messages arrive directly on personal mobile devices, often appearing to be from familiar companies. Attackers manipulate users' trust in these entities to secure sensitive information, including credit card numbers, login credentials, and other personal data. For organizations, the result can be severe: compromised networks, financial losses, and even long-term reputational damage.

By exploring real-life examples, cybersecurity leaders can better understand the urgency of security awareness training and the strategic application of smishing simulators to prevent such attacks.

1. The “Bank Alert” Smishing Attack

One of the most common smishing scams involves fake, urgent messages that appear to be from a trusted bank. Attackers send messages claiming there’s been “suspicious activity” on the recipient's account, urging them to act quickly to "secure" their funds. These messages often contain a link to a website that mimics the bank’s official page, where victims are prompted to enter sensitive information like account numbers, passwords, or PINs.

Watch the video below to see a real-life case where a Sydney woman lost her life savings to a sophisticated bank text message fraud.

Impact: These attacks cost bank customers and institutions millions each year. Cybersecurity training with a smishing simulator can help employees recognize warning signs—such as urgent language, generic greetings, and unfamiliar links—before they fall victim to similar scams.

2. Package Delivery Notifications

With the rise of online shopping, attackers often use fake “delivery confirmation” messages to trick users. In this smishing scheme, users receive texts that seem to be from trusted shipping companies like FedEx or DHL, informing them of a pending delivery and urging them to click a link to “reschedule delivery” or “track a package.” These messages appear urgent, prompting recipients to act quickly.

Check out the video below to see how this type of scam works in real life.

Impact: The links in these messages often lead to malicious sites that install malware or capture personal information. Training employees to spot suspicious links, especially during peak shopping seasons, is crucial to prevent these types of attacks from succeeding.

3. COVID-19 Test Result Scams

During the pandemic, attackers exploited public fear by sending smishing messages that appeared to be from health agencies. These messages claimed that the recipient’s recent COVID-19 test results were ready and urged them to click a link to view the results.

Watch the video below to see a real-life case of how this scam unfolds.

Impact: Clicking these links directed users to fake login portals designed to steal personal health information and login credentials. Solutions like Keepnet’s incident responder can help organizations quickly address and contain these breaches, protecting sensitive data from further exposure.

4. Tax Refund Notifications

This smishing example emerges around tax season, as attackers send texts claiming to be from tax authorities. Victims are led to believe they are due a refund and are asked to provide their bank details for the transfer.

Watch the video below for more details.

Impact: Users are tricked into providing banking information, allowing attackers to drain accounts. To help prevent these attacks, companies should provide security awareness training that emphasizes identifying suspicious messages.

5. Social Media Account Recovery

Cybercriminals frequently impersonate social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, sending messages that claim the user’s account has been “locked” due to “suspicious login attempts.” The message includes a link for “account recovery” that directs users to a fake login page, where they unknowingly enter their credentials, which are then stolen by attackers.

Check out the real-life example below.

Impact: This type of scam has led to numerous high-profile social media account breaches, causing significant privacy and security risks. By using phishing simulators, organizations can replicate these types of smishing attacks in a controlled environment, training employees to recognize and avoid them effectively.

6. Fake Charity Donations

After natural disasters or crises, fake charity smishing attacks become more common. Attackers pose as well-known charities, urging recipients to make donations by clicking a link or replying with payment details.

See the real-life example below.

Impact: Cybercriminals exploit people’s goodwill, stealing thousands from unsuspecting users. Cybersecurity awareness programs should focus on helping employees recognize emotional triggers in smishing attacks, teaching them to stay cautious and verify donation requests before acting.

7. The “Your Phone Bill is Due” Scam

Many mobile users have received smishing messages appearing to be from service providers like AT&T or Verizon, warning them of an unpaid bill. The message includes a link to a so-called “secure payment page,” but clicking on it actually redirects users to a phishing site designed to capture sensitive financial information.

Impact: Victims unknowingly provide their payment details, putting their finances at risk. Organizations can use Keepnet’s human risk management platform to help employees recognize these scams, building stronger defenses against such deceptive tactics.

Impact: This classic scam continues to work well on mobile users, who can be easier to persuade with messages that promise big wins. Training employees on scams like these helps mitigate the risk of personal and organizational data leaks.

9. Employment and Job Opportunity Offers

Fake job offers are used by attackers who impersonate HR professionals or recruiters, usually from well-known companies. Recipients are asked to submit personal information or download files, which often contain malware.

Impact: These smishing attacks primarily target job seekers, but even employed users may be tempted to explore new opportunities. Training programs should encourage employees to verify unsolicited job-related messages.

10. Customer Survey Scams

In this smishing scam, attackers send messages inviting recipients to complete a “customer satisfaction survey” in exchange for a reward. These messages often impersonate well-known retail brands or services the user may have recently interacted with, making the request seem more legitimate.

Watch the video below to see how this scam operates in real life.

Impact: When users complete these fake surveys, they unknowingly provide attackers with sensitive personal information. Security Awareness programs can help employees recognize these tactics, reducing the likelihood of falling for such scams.

Key Takeaways: Protecting Your Organization Against Smishing

As illustrated by these real-life examples, smishing attacks are becoming more sophisticated, often luring victims into clicking with trusted brand names, familiar scenarios, or urgent calls to action. With high employee engagement on mobile devices, it’s essential to build a strong culture of security awareness through smishing simulators and cybersecurity training programs.

How Keepnet Protects Against Smishing

Understanding real-world smishing examples is key, but building a defense strategy around them is essential. Keepnet offers targeted tools to address smishing threats directly, strengthening your organization’s security culture:

• Smishing Simulator: Run realistic, industry-specific smishing simulations that teach employees to recognize and report suspicious SMS messages. Training is customized for maximum relevance and effectiveness.
• Incident Responder: When a smishing attempt does get through, Keepnet’s Incident Responder provides swift response tools to assess, contain, and neutralize threats, minimizing potential damage.
• Security Awareness Training: Focused specifically on smishing and social engineering, these training modules use real-world scenarios to build critical thinking skills, helping employees spot deceptive SMS tactics before they cause harm.
• Human Risk Management Platform: Track employee progress in smishing-specific training activities, pinpointing where further support may be needed. This platform helps reinforce a proactive security mindset across your organization.

With these tools, Keepnet empowers your team to stay vigilant and prepared to combat the growing threat of smishing. Schedule a demo today to see how Keepnet’s solutions can strengthen your defenses.