Smishing Scams in 2025: How to Safeguard Your Business Against SMS Phishing

Smishing attacks are now a highly profitable and organized scheme for cybercriminals, with tactics becoming more sophisticated and harder to detect. According to Forbes 2024, the average financial loss per smishing victim is $800, amounting to millions of dollars stolen annually. There are currently over 7.2 billion smartphones worldwide, providing cybercriminals with an enormous target pool for these attacks.

As mobile devices are increasingly used for both personal and professional tasks, employees are more vulnerable to these attacks. This growing risk threatens businesses with data breaches, financial losses, and reputational damage. Staying ahead of these threats requires a proactive approach to security.

In this blog, we’ll explore the latest smishing trends for 2025 and provide actionable strategies to protect yourself and your organization. We’ll also discuss how tools like smishing simulators and security awareness training can fortify your defenses.

What is Smishing?

Smishing (SMS phishing) is a type of cyberattack where fraudsters use deceptive text messages to steal personal information, financial data, or install malware. These messages often appear to be from trusted sources, such as banks, delivery services, or government agencies.

Common Smishing Techniques

1. Bank Fraud Alerts: Texts claiming suspicious activity on your bank account, asking you to verify your details via a malicious link.
2. Delivery Scams: Messages stating a delivery issue, prompting you to click a fake tracking link.
3. Tax Refund Scams: Notifications about a tax refund or payment, designed to steal your financial data.
4. Prize Notifications: Messages claiming you’ve won a lottery or prize, requesting personal information to “claim” it.

Attackers are increasingly combining smishing with other techniques like QR code phishing (quishing) and voice phishing (vishing) to bypass traditional defenses. Learn more about these tactics in our guides on quishing trends and vishing scams.

Why Smishing Will Be a Major Threat in 2025

Smishing attacks are becoming more advanced, with cybercriminals using AI and automation to create realistic and personalized messages. As employees rely more on mobile devices for work, they are easier targets for these scams, increasing the risk of data breaches and financial loss. Remote work also makes it harder to spot and stop smishing attacks due to weaker security controls outside the office.

1. Increased Mobile Dependency

In 2024, approximately 67% of employees used personal devices for work-related tasks, making them prime targets for smishing attacks.

Additionally, a study by CTIA revealed that 93% of participants trust text messages more than emails, a trust that cybercriminals exploit through smishing.

2. AI-Driven Smishing Attacks

Cybercriminals are leveraging AI to craft personalized, convincing smishing messages that mimic legitimate communications. This trend is expected to escalate in 2025, making detection more difficult.

3. Smishing-as-a-Service (SaaS)

Smishing attacks are becoming more widespread, with 75% of organizations experiencing such incidents in 2023. This increase is driven by the availability of smishing kits on the dark web, allowing even inexperienced attackers to launch large-scale campaigns. With these tools becoming easier to access, smishing attacks are expected to continue rising in 2025.

4. Blended Threats

In 2025, expect smishing to be paired with other phishing methods like quishing and vishing for multi-channel attacks. This makes training and awareness even more critical.

How to Protect Your Business from Smishing Scams

Smishing attacks are designed to exploit human error, so employee awareness is your first line of defense. By educating your team about the latest smishing tactics, you can reduce the risk of falling victim to these scams. Combining regular training with advanced tools like smishing simulators and incident response solutions helps create a strong, multi-layered security approach.

1. Conduct Regular Smishing Simulations

Use a smishing simulator to train employees to recognize and handle smishing attempts. Simulated exercises in a controlled environment provide hands-on experience and reduce the risk of human error during real attacks.

2. Implement Security Awareness Training

Regular security awareness training helps employees stay updated on the latest smishing tactics. Use interactive methods like real-life examples, quizzes, and role-playing to make training engaging and memorable.

3. Verify Suspicious Messages

Instruct employees to verify unexpected messages by contacting the sender through official channels. Avoid replying directly to texts asking for personal information or prompting urgent action.

4. Avoid Clicking on Links in SMS Messages

Train employees to avoid clicking on links in texts. Instead, visit the organization’s official website or app. Recognizing shortened or suspicious URLs helps prevent accidental clicks on malicious links.

5. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Multi-factor authentication adds extra security by requiring a second verification step. Even if credentials are stolen, MFA helps block unauthorized access. Ensure it’s enabled on all critical systems.

6. Report Suspicious Messages

Encourage employees to report suspicious texts to your IT team promptly. In the UK, forwarding messages to 7726 (SPAM) alerts mobile providers. Fast reporting helps detect attacks early and protect your organization.

How Keepnet Can Help Protect Your Business from Smishing

Keepnet offers targeted solutions to defend against smishing attacks and strengthen your organization’s security posture:

• Smishing Simulator: Train employees to recognize and respond to smishing through realistic simulations.
• Security Awareness Training: Interactive modules covering smishing, phishing, quishing, and vishing to keep your team alert.
• Human Risk Management Platform: Identify vulnerabilities, track progress, and tailor training to specific risks.
• Incident Response Tools: Quickly detect, respond to, and mitigate smishing attacks to minimize damage.

With Keepnet, you can build a more resilient workforce and significantly reduce the risk of smishing threats.