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

In 2025, cyber threats continue to grow in sophistication, with SMS phishing—better known as smishing—emerging as a rapidly escalating danger. Unlike traditional phishing, where attackers use emails to deceive victims, smishing exploits the widespread use of mobile phones by sending fraudulent text messages designed to steal sensitive information.

The study, A Quantitative Study of SMS Phishing Detection (2023), reveals critical insights into user behavior, with 1 in 24 users (4.17%) clicking on phishing URLs, suggesting a notable vulnerability. The accuracy rate for identifying a real SMS phishing is only 43.6%. This indicates users struggle more with identifying legitimate messages, potentially due to the subtlety of text scam tactics.

This post will dive deep into the risks of smishing, the financial and reputational damage it can cause, and the effective strategies your organization can adopt to defend against these attacks.

What is Smishing?

Smishing is a form of phishing where scammers use SMS or text messages to trick victims into revealing sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details.

In other words, the definition of smishing refers to fraudulent messages that often impersonate legitimate organizations, using urgent language to manipulate victims into responding. The information obtained through smishing can then be used to commit fraud or identity theft, resulting in significant financial losses for both individuals and businesses.

For a deeper exploration of smishing—how these deceptive text scams work, why they’re so persuasive, and how to protect yourself—watch the Keepnet podcast series. You’ll find real-world examples, expert insights, and actionable tips to help you spot and shut down text-based phishing attempts.

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 didn’t start as a sophisticated cyber threat—it began with simple bait texts meant to trick unsuspecting users. Over time, as mobile technology advanced and our reliance on smartphones grew, smishing evolved into a highly organized, tech-driven attack vector. Here are why SMS phishing continue to evolve:

• Low barrier to entry – SMS gateways cost pennies; sender IDs are easy to spoof.
• High trust channel – Users still treat texts like direct, urgent communications.
• Mobile attack surface – Phones now store MFA codes, wallets, and corporate data.
• Tool commoditization – Off-the-shelf phishing kits and AI text generators lower the skill bar.
• Regulatory lag – Global SMS authentication (e.g., Verified SMS/RCS) is uneven, leaving gaps criminals exploit. 

Smishing’s evolution mirrors mobile technology: every leap—banking apps, eSIM, RCS—offers criminals a fresh angle. The lesson for defenders is clear: combine continuous user training and simulation with technical controls that move just as fast as the threat landscape.

How Does Smishing Work?

Smishing works by tricking recipients into responding to deceptive text messages, usually disguised as legitimate alerts from trusted organizations, such as banks, government agencies, or well-known brands. Here’s a quick breakdown of how a typical smishing attack unfolds:

• Message Delivery: Attackers send mass text messages containing urgent or enticing language, prompting immediate action (e.g., verifying accounts, winning prizes, or addressing security concerns).
• Victim Interaction: The recipient clicks on a malicious link or responds directly, believing the message to be legitimate. This step usually involves exploiting fear, curiosity, or urgency.
• Information Theft: Clicking the link often directs victims to a fake website, mimicking a trusted organization’s page, where sensitive data like usernames, passwords, financial information, or personal details are requested and captured.
• Malware Infection: In some cases, clicking the link downloads malware directly to the victim’s phone, allowing cybercriminals to spy, steal information, or even take control of the device.
• Exploitation and Fraud: Cybercriminals then use the collected information to commit identity theft, unauthorized purchases, or financial fraud.

Check out the infographic below to learn how SMS phishing works 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 case studies below, we can see the tangible impact of these attacks 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 attacks 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 requires a multi-layered approach involving technology, organizational measures, and individual actions. First, technological solutions like mobile security software, spam filters, and multi-factor authentication (MFA) can block or detect malicious messages before they reach users. S

econd, organizational solutions should include strong security policies, regular monitoring, and most importantly, security awareness training to educate employees on recognizing and avoiding smishing scams. This training is essential, as well-informed employees are the first line of defense against smishing.

Finally, on an individual level, people must stay vigilant—avoid clicking on suspicious links, verify messages from unknown sources, and never share sensitive information via text.

Check the table below to learn more on how to prevent SMS phishing attacks in a complete manner:

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 July 23, 2025.