Scam Texts: Five Checks Before You Tap

"Your package couldn't be delivered." "Unusual sign-in on your account." "You have an unpaid toll balance." Texts like these show up constantly, and they're built to make you tap before you think. The Federal Trade Commission says scammers send texts promising prizes, warning of suspicious activity or payment problems, sending fake invoices, and posing as package delivery notices. Here are five checks that take less than a minute.

Check 1: Did you actually sign up for these texts?

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service says USPS won't text you unless you first asked for text tracking with a tracking number, and even then the texts won't contain a link. If you never signed up, a "USPS" text with a link is not from USPS. Other carriers and stores work the same way in spirit: if you didn't sign up for texts from them, be suspicious of a text that says it's from them.

Check 2: Is it trying to rush you?

"Pay within 24 hours." "Your account will be locked." "Final notice." Urgency is the whole trick. A real bank, carrier or toll agency will still be there in ten minutes while you check. If a text makes your heart rate jump, that's your cue to slow down.

Check 3: Does it want information or money through a link?

The FTC is clear that legitimate companies won't ask for your account information by text. A link that leads to a page asking for your card number, your Social Security number, a password or a one-time code is a red flag no matter how official it looks.

Check 4: Look at the sender and the link, but don't trust them alone

Random email addresses, long strange numbers and odd web addresses are good reasons to delete. But a normal-looking sender doesn't make a text safe, because names, numbers and links can be faked or made to look close to the real thing. Treat this check as a reason to say no, never as proof that something is real.

Check 5: Go around the text, not through it

This is the one that settles it. Don't tap the link and don't call a number in the message. Open the company's official app, type its website address yourself, or call the number on the back of your card or on a bill you already have. For toll texts, the FTC says to check with your state's tolling agency using a website or number you know is real. In New York, that means E-ZPass New York or Tolls by Mail, typed in yourself. If there's a real problem, you'll see it there.

Report it, then delete it

Report junk in your messaging app. Most phones have a "report junk" option on texts from unknown senders.
Forward it to 7726 (that spells SPAM). This lets your carrier spot and block similar messages.
Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Fake postal texts can also go to the Postal Inspection Service at [email protected].

The FTC also suggests turning on spam filtering on your phone and checking what blocking options your carrier offers.

Already tapped? Here's what to do

Don't panic, and don't feel embarrassed. These texts are designed to fool careful people. What to do depends on how far it went:

You opened the link but entered nothing. Close the page. The Postal Inspection Service says that if you interacted with the link at all, even without submitting anything, it's wise to let your bank or card company know so they can watch your account.
You entered card or bank details. Call your bank or card issuer right away using the number on your card. The FTC says to ask them to reverse or refund any charges you didn't make.
You entered a password. Change it, and change it anywhere else you reused it. Turn on multi-factor authentication, which the FTC recommends for exactly this reason.
You gave out your Social Security number or other ID details. Go to IdentityTheft.gov for a step-by-step recovery plan.
You downloaded something, or the phone is acting strange. The FTC's advice is to update your security software and run a scan. Keep your phone's software up to date too.

If the phone itself feels off afterward

If you installed an app or profile you don't recognize, your phone shows pop-ups that won't quit, or the battery and data use suddenly jump after a scam text, that's where we can help. This post pairs with our earlier guide on fake virus pop-ups, which covers the browser side of the same tricks. Bring the phone in by appointment, and we'll walk through what's installed and what to remove, with a free estimate before any work.

Want us to take a look?

Tech Station is an appointment-only repair shop at 6 Northway Lane, Latham, NY 12110. We work on phones, consoles, computers, tablets and plenty of other electronics, so if your device isn't mentioned here, ask anyway. Pick whichever of these is easiest for you:

Book online: choose a time that works for you on our online booking calendar.
Call us: 518-900-1663 if you'd rather talk it through first.
Text us: send a quick description (and a photo if you can) to 518-900-1663.

Estimates are free. Diagnostics are free, and we explain the repair and its price and get your okay before we start. Repairs come with a 30-day warranty, and we offer free pickup and delivery within 5 miles of the shop. We can't promise every device can be fixed, but we'll always tell you what we find.