What is Smishing? Examples, Prevention Tips & How to Stop Attacks

Smishing, also known as SMS phishing, is one of the fastest-growing cyber threats in 2025. Unlike traditional phishing attacks that use email, smishing scams arrive as fraudulent text messages designed to trick recipients into clicking malicious links, revealing personal information, or downloading malware. These SMS phishing attacks are increasingly sophisticated, often disguised as bank alerts, delivery updates, or account verification requests.

Recent research, including the 2023 study A Quantitative Study of SMS Phishing Detection, shows that 1 in 24 users (4.17%) clicks on a smishing link, and the detection accuracy for real SMS phishing messages is only 43.6%. This means that most people struggle to tell the difference between a legitimate SMS and a smishing text, making them a prime target for cybercriminals.

In this article, we’ll explain what smishing is and how it differs from phishing and vishing, explore smishing examples and smishing characteristics, uncover the real-world impact of SMS phishing scams on businesses and individuals, and share proven smishing prevention strategies to protect against SMS phishing attacks in 2025.

What is Smishing?

Smishing, short for SMS phishing, is a type of phishing attack where scammers send fraudulent text messages to trick people into giving away sensitive information, like usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, or even one-time passcodes. These smishing attacks often pretend to come from trusted sources such as banks, delivery companies, or government agencies, using urgent or alarming language to pressure the recipient into acting quickly.

Put simply, the definition of smishing is a text message scam designed to manipulate you into clicking a malicious link or sharing personal details. The danger is real: the information stolen in a smishing scam can be used for identity theft, unauthorized purchases, or larger-scale fraud, causing serious financial and reputational damage to both individuals and businesses.

If you want to understand smishing beyond the basics—how smishing messages are crafted, why they feel so convincing, and the best ways to block SMS phishing attacks—check out the Keepnet podcast series. You’ll find real-world smishing examples, expert analysis, and practical tips to help you detect and stop these text-based phishing threats before they cause harm.

History and Evolution of Smishing

Smishing has travelled a long road from nuisance texts to today’s AI-backed crimeware. Understanding that journey shows why the threat keeps growing. Check out the table below to see text scams evolved:

Table 1: History and Evolution of Smishing

Why Smishing Keeps Evolving

Smishing, or SMS phishing, didn’t start as the complex cyber threat we see today. In its early days, it was little more than crude text message scams with obvious typos and basic lures. But as mobile technology advanced and our dependence on smartphones skyrocketed, smishing attacks transformed into highly organized, tech-powered operations.

There are several reasons why SMS phishing continues to evolve:

• Low barrier to entry – Sending bulk SMS messages costs just pennies, and sender IDs are easy to spoof.
• High-trust channel – Many people still see text messages as personal, urgent, and legitimate, making them more likely to click.
• Mobile attack surface – Smartphones now store everything from MFA codes to digital wallets and corporate data, giving attackers richer targets.
• Tool commoditization – Off-the-shelf phishing kits and AI-generated text tools mean even low-skilled criminals can launch convincing smishing campaigns.
• Regulatory lag – Global SMS authentication measures like Verified SMS or RCS are inconsistent, leaving exploitable gaps.

The evolution of smishing scams mirrors the evolution of mobile technology itself. Every new innovation—whether it’s mobile banking apps, eSIM, or RCS messaging—offers cybercriminals a new opportunity. The takeaway for defenders is clear: stay ahead by pairing continuous smishing awareness training and SMS Phishing Simulations with technical defenses that can adapt as quickly as the threat landscape changes.

How Does Smishing Work?

Smishing, short for SMS phishing, is a type of phishing attack that utilizes fake text messages to deceive individuals into disclosing sensitive information or installing malware on their mobile devices. These smishing scams often impersonate trusted organizations like banks, government agencies, delivery companies, or popular brands, making them harder to detect than traditional email phishing.

A typical smishing attack follows these steps:

1. Message Delivery – Cybercriminals send bulk or targeted SMS phishing messages using urgent, alarming, or enticing language. Common smishing examples include fake bank alerts (“Your account is suspended”), delivery notifications (“Your package is waiting”), or prize claims (“You’ve won!”). These smishing texts are designed to push the victim into immediate action.
2. Victim Interaction – The recipient clicks on a smishing link or replies to the message, believing it’s legitimate. Attackers exploit human emotions like fear, urgency, or curiosity to bypass logical thinking.
3. Information Theft – Victims are redirected to a fake phishing website that perfectly mimics the official site of a bank, online store, or service provider. Here, they are prompted to enter sensitive details such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, or personal identification information.
4. Malware Infection – In more advanced SMS phishing attacks, clicking the malicious link downloads spyware, trojans, or other mobile malware. This allows cybercriminals to monitor activity, intercept multi-factor authentication (MFA) codes, and steal stored data from the device.
5. Exploitation and Fraud – The stolen information is then used for identity theft, unauthorized bank transfers, credit card fraud, account takeovers, and even corporate data breaches.

By understanding how smishing works, you can better protect yourself from SMS-based phishing attacks. For a quick, visual breakdown of this process, see the infographic below that explains how smishing attacks happen in three simple steps.

In this text message scam, attackers impersonate trusted organizations to deceive individuals into sharing sensitive information. Generally SMS phishing attacks involves sending fraudulent text messages that often include urgent language—such as warnings about account issues, unpaid bills, or package deliveries.

These usually contain malicious links that direct victims to fake websites designed to steal personal data or install malware. A smishing attack may also prompt recipients to reply with sensitive information like passwords or credit card numbers. The personal and direct nature of text messages makes smishing scams particularly effective, as victims are more likely to trust and act on these scammer messages without suspicion.

What Are The Types of Smishing Attacks?

Smishing attacks come in various forms, each designed to trick users into sharing sensitive information or downloading malware. Common SMS phishing examples include:

1. Banking Scams – Fraudulent texts claiming to be from your bank, alerting you of suspicious activity or asking to verify account details.
2. Delivery Scams – Messages posing as delivery services, stating there’s an issue with a package and prompting you to click a link.
3. Prize Scams – Texts informing you that you've won a contest or prize, asking you to click a link or provide personal information.
4. Tax or Government Scams – Fake messages pretending to be from tax authorities or government agencies, warning of legal action or offering refunds.

Each type of Smishing types above preys on urgency and fear, making it easier for attackers to manipulate victims into revealing personal or financial details.

Check out our guide to learn more smishing attack examples.

What are Smishing Techniques and Attack Vectors?

Let’s explore the main techniques attackers use during SMS phishing attacks: spoofing and impersonation, psychological triggers, malware delivery, and multi-channel integration. Backed by insights from recent studies, this breakdown will give you a clear picture of how smishing works and why it’s so effective.

Spoofing and Impersonation: Masquerading as Someone You Trust

You get a text that looks like it’s from your bank, complete with their official number. It’s a classic case of spoofing and impersonation, where attackers disguise themselves as a trusted entity to lower your guard.

Here’s how they pull it off:

• Faking the Sender: Using specialized software or online services, attackers can tweak the phone number displayed on your screen to match a legitimate one—like your bank’s customer service line or a government agency’s contact. It’s like a digital mask, making the message seem authentic at first glance.
• Copying Trusted Identities: They might mimic the tone, branding, or even the name of well-known organizations. Think of messages claiming to be from the IRS, your phone provider, or social media giants like Facebook. A slight typo or odd phrasing might be the only clue something’s off.

This tactic is all about building trust. If it looks like it’s from someone you know or an authority you respect, you’re more likely to respond. Research from Rahman et al. (2023) backs this up—they tested impersonations of entities like the IRS and Facebook and found that people often took the bait, with significant response rates (p. 7). Next time you get an unexpected text from a “trusted” source, double-check before you act—it might just be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Psychological Triggers: Playing with Your Emotions

Smishing isn’t just about tech—it’s about understanding how we think and feel. Attackers use psychological triggers to push us into acting fast, often before we can spot the scam.

Here are some of the emotions and biases they exploit:

• Urgency: Ever gotten a text saying, “Your account will be suspended in 24 hours unless you verify now”? That ticking clock is designed to make you panic and click without thinking.
• Authority: Posing as someone official—like a tax agent or your boss—taps into our tendency to obey authority figures. A message from “the IRS” feels harder to ignore.
• Fear: Threats like “Your credit card has been compromised” or “Legal action is pending” spark anxiety, nudging you to follow their instructions to “fix” it.
• Curiosity or Greed: Offers like “You’ve won a $500 gift card!” or “Click here for a job opportunity” lure you in with the promise of something exciting or valuable.

These triggers work because they short-circuit our reasoning. Rahman et al. (2023) found that urgency and authority, in particular, drove higher response rates in their smishing experiments (p. 7). The lesson? If a text makes your heart race—whether from fear or excitement—pause and question it. That gut reaction might be exactly what they’re counting on.

Malware Delivery: A Trojan Horse in Your Texts

Smishing isn’t always about tricking you into sharing info—sometimes it’s a sneaky way to plant malware on your phone. Those innocent-looking links or attachments? They’re often a gateway to trouble.

Here’s what can happen:

• Spyware Sneaks In: Clicking a link might download software that quietly tracks your activity, steals passwords, or siphons off bank details—all without you noticing.
• Ransomware Takes Over: Some malware locks your phone or files, demanding payment to unlock them. It’s like a digital hostage situation.
• Backdoor Access: Once installed, malware can give attackers remote control of your device, turning it into their playground for further attacks.

Mambina et al. (2022) point to malware as a major smishing threat (p. 9 and p. 83062, respectively). A single tap on a bad link can turn your phone from a lifeline to a liability. The fix? Treat every unexpected link or attachment like a stranger offering candy—don’t bite unless you’re 100% sure it’s safe.

Multi-Channel Phishing: Hitting You From All Angles

Attackers don’t always stop at one text. With multi-channel integration, they combine smishing with other scams—like vishing (voice phishing) or email phishing—to make their trap harder to escape.

Here’s how it might play out:

• Text to Call: A message says, “Urgent: Call this number to resolve a billing issue.” When you dial, a smooth-talking scammer (vishing) takes over, fishing for your details.
• Cross-Platform Combo: An SMS directs you to a fake login page, and soon after, an email arrives with the same branding, reinforcing the illusion of legitimacy.

This tag-team approach amplifies the attack’s impact, making it feel more real and urgent. Ng’ang’a et al. (2022) note this trend, highlighting how attackers layer tactics to catch victims off guard (p. 9). Staying safe means watching for suspicious patterns across all your devices—not just your texts.

The Impact of Smishing Attacks on Businesses

Smishing attacks pose significant risks to businesses, causing substantial financial, operational, and reputational damage. Here’s how smishing can directly impact organizations:

• Financial Losses: Smishing attacks can lead to direct financial theft, fraudulent transactions, and hefty regulatory fines due to compromised customer data.
• Operational Disruption: Responding to and recovering from smishing attacks drains company resources, disrupts daily operations, and can cause productivity losses across teams.
• Reputational Damage: When customer data or sensitive business information is compromised, trust diminishes, harming brand image, customer loyalty, and future revenue opportunities.
• Legal and Compliance Issues: Businesses might face legal penalties and regulatory scrutiny if smishing attacks expose sensitive or personally identifiable information (PII).
• Increased Security Costs: Organizations often incur additional expenses for enhanced security measures, employee awareness training programs, and ongoing monitoring to prevent future attacks.

Understanding these impacts emphasizes the critical need for robust cybersecurity practices, proactive employee education, and regular simulation exercises to defend effectively against smishing attacks. For small and medium-sized enterprises, impact can be particularly devastating, potentially leading to bankruptcy.

Real-World Text Scam Incidents

Smishing attacks are not just theoretical threats, they have real-world consequences for individuals and organizations. By examining SMS phishing case studies below, we can see the tangible impact of these text scams and understand why staying vigilant is important.

Recent reports highlight several documented smishing attacks:

• Fake Parking Violation Texts: Since December 2024, scammers have targeted cities like Boston and San Diego, sending texts claiming unpaid parking fines with a $35 daily fee, leading to potential financial losses .
• Fake Road Toll Texts: Since March 2024, over 2,000 complaints to the FBI IC3 show scammers impersonating toll services, affecting multiple states and causing financial and identity theft .
• Fake Delivery Alerts: Scammers pose as delivery services, tricking users into clicking malicious links, operated by cybercriminals using Chinese hacking tools, risking malware installation .
• Uber Breach (2022): Employees received fake IT update texts, leading to a system breach and data exposure .
• Canadian UPS Scam (2022-2023): Attackers exploited a package lookup tool, sending fraudulent UPS texts to steal information, affecting many customers.

These examples show the real risks of smishing, from personal financial loss to corporate data breaches. Check out our guide to learn more SMS phishing attack statistics.

How to Identify Smishing Attacks?

Identifying smishing scams is important for staying safe. Watch out for these common warning signs:

• Unknown Senders: Messages from unfamiliar or suspicious phone numbers.
• Urgent Requests: Texts that pressure immediate action, often threatening account closure or penalties.
• Unexpected Links: Messages containing suspicious or shortened URLs urging quick clicks.
• Requests for Personal Data: Legitimate companies never request sensitive details via text, like passwords or banking info.
• Spelling & Grammar Errors: Smishing messages frequently have noticeable typos, grammatical mistakes, or awkward wording.

How Scammers Use SMS To Attack

Smishing crooks weaponize ordinary text messages to slip past busy employees and distracted consumers. They rely on five core tricks:

• Brand Impersonation & Spoofed Numbers: Attackers clone familiar sender names or mask the caller-ID so the SMS seems to come from your bank, delivery service, or HR desk.
• Urgent, Fear-Driven Copy: “Your account is locked—verify in 15 min!” Pressure phrases force snap decisions before the target thinks twice.
• Malicious Links & Shorteners: TinyURL or bit.ly links hide dangerous phishing pages that harvest credentials, card details, or MFA codes.
• Reply-to Data Mining: Some texts skip links and ask you to text back personal info (OTP codes, employee IDs, card PINs) that can be used instantly.
• Hidden Malware Payloads: On Android especially, a tap can silently install spyware or banking Trojans, giving criminals full device access.

Bottom line: SMS’s immediacy and trusted default settings make it the perfect social-engineering channel—unless staff are trained to slow down, verify the sender, and never click unverified links.

Here are a few notable instances:

How to Prevent Smishing Attacks

Preventing smishing attacks or SMS phishing scams, requires a layered defense strategy that combines technology, organizational measures, and individual vigilance. Cybercriminals are constantly refining their SMS phishing tactics, so effective prevention means staying one step ahead.

1. Use Technological Protections

Deploy mobile security software, SMS spam filters, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to detect and block malicious text messages before they reach the user. Many modern security apps can identify suspicious links, flag known smishing URLs, and stop mobile malware downloads triggered by clicking on a phishing link.

2. Strengthen Organizational Security

Businesses should establish strict mobile device security policies, continuously monitor for suspicious activity, and—most importantly—deliver ongoing security awareness training. Educating employees on how to recognize smishing examples, verify suspicious messages, and report potential SMS phishing attempts is critical, as human error is often the first point of exploitation.

3. Stay Vigilant at the Individual Level

For individuals, prevention starts with caution:

• Never click on links in unsolicited text messages.
• Always verify unexpected requests by contacting the organization directly using official contact information.
• Avoid sharing sensitive details—such as passwords, account numbers, or MFA codes—over SMS.

By combining smishing awareness, technical defenses, and proactive security habits, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to SMS phishing attacks.

Check the table below for a complete breakdown of how to prevent smishing with actionable steps for both organizations and individuals.

Table 2: How to Prevent Smishing Attacks

By combining these technological defenses, organizational safeguards, and personal caution, organizations can effectively minimize the risk of smishing attacks.

Protect Your Business from Smishing with Keepnet

Smishing is a growing threat to businesses, with 76% of companies targeted in a single year, leading to a 328% rise in incidents. The financial impact is significant, costing an average of $800 per incident globally. To combat this, Keepnet offers comprehensive solutions with its Smishing Simulator and Security Awareness Training, helping businesses safeguard against these evolving attacks.

The Keepnet Smishing Simulator allows you to deploy realistic SMS phishing scenarios or create custom ones that mimic real-world attacks. By simulating smishing attempts, you can assess your employees' awareness and identify vulnerability levels. During the simulations, Keepnet tracks employee responses, providing instant feedback and personalized nudges to help them improve. This targeted approach ensures employees receive the right security awareness training based on their actions, addressing any gaps identified during the exercise.

With Keepnet Extended Human Risk Management Platform, you can further evaluate your employees' current cybersecurity knowledge through comprehensive behavior assessments.

The platform delivers behavior-based training tailored to your team's needs, helping to strengthen their ability to detect and report phishing attempts. Keepnet also empowers employees to report phishing incidents, fostering a proactive approach to security.

Using outcome-driven metrics, charts, and widgets, you can generate data-driven reports to provide executives with insights into your organization's security posture.

By leveraging Keepnet Human Risk Management, businesses can effectively mitigate the risks posed by smishing and enhance their overall cybersecurity defenses.

Watch the video below to get more details about how Keepnet Smishing Simulator can protect your business from smishing attacks.

Watch the video below to learn more about how Keepnet Security Awareness Training can enhance your team's readiness against phishing threats.

Further Reading on Smishing

Explore the following resources to enhance your understanding on Smishing and bolster your cybersecurity measures.

• 10 Real-Life Smishing Examples to Strengthen Cybersecurity Awareness - Explore actual smishing cases to see how attackers craft convincing SMS phishing messages and how individuals and organizations can defend against them.
• Smishing Statistics: The Latest Trends and Numbers in SMS Phishing - Get up-to-date statistics and insights on the rising threat of smishing, helping you understand its scale, targets, and evolving tactics.
• Smishing Scams in 2025: How to Safeguard Your Business Against SMS Phishing - Learn proactive strategies to protect your organization from the latest SMS-based phishing attacks in 2025 and beyond.
• How to Run an Smishing Simulation - Discover how to simulate smishing attacks within your organization to raise awareness, test resilience, and improve mobile cybersecurity practices.

Editor's Note: This article was updated on August 8, 2025.