Text message scams, also known as “phishing” or “smishing,” are fraudulent texts designed to trick victims into sharing personal information or clicking dangerous links. Scammers often pose as trusted brands or official companies and use urgency to prompt you to act quickly. These scams can result in identity theft, financial loss, and malware infections. 

Fraudulent claims of jury duty, unpaid tolls, or missed package deliveries are becoming increasingly common scams, with consumers reporting a loss of $470 million in 2024.

Here are four of the most common text message scams to watch out for: 

1. Department of motor vehicle (DMV) scam texts.

DMVs nationwide warn registered drivers of a recent smishing scam involving fake threats of unpaid fees on traffic violations and additional fines. These texts are using fear tactics, threatening suspension of driving privileges if you don’t comply. While this particular scam may be new, spam texts aren’t. According to the spam-blocking company Robokiller, Americans received 19.2 billion automated spam texts in May alone.

Stay alert: Avoid clicking links from unrecognized phone numbers and remain skeptical, especially whenpersonal or financial information is requested.

2. Fake jury duty summons.

This common scam involves texts from fraudsters posing as court officials, claiming you missed a jury summons or have an upcoming court date. These messages may contain multiple links that, if clicked, give fraudsters access to personal information and device data, potentially leading to identity theft and fraud. The texts often include threats of arrest warrants if you don’t act quickly.

Remember: Courts will never contact you via text message about jury duty obligations or payment requests. Any such text is a scam. 

3. Unpaid toll scams.

Unpaid toll text scams are a form of smishing in which scammers send fake texts claiming unpaid tolls and urging immediate payment. These fraudulent messages typically contain links and may mention a specific amount due, warning of additional fees if not paid immediately.

Important: Similar to jury duty scams, toll agencies don’t typically send texts to collect on overdue accounts. If you receive a text about unpaid tolls, it’s likely a scam.

4. Undelivered package notifications.

These scams use fake notifications about undelivered packages to trick victims into disclosing personal information, downloading malware, or paying fictitious fees. These messages may urge you to click a link to reschedule delivery, track the package, update delivery preferences, or pay a redelivery fee. Scammers may even follow up with fake phone calls impersonating delivery companies.

Be cautious: If you’re not expecting a delivery or haven’t placed a recent order, such messages are likely scams. For any questions about a delivery, refer to your exact tracking number or contact the shipment provider directly. 

Best practices.

The important takeaway is to remember that legitimate professionals from these services are unlikely to contact you via text to request payment or personal information. To protect yourself from text scams:

• Never click on suspicious links sent from unknown phone numbers.
• Contact your bank immediately if you believe your information has been compromised.
• Report suspicious texts to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

 Staying informed is the first step to protecting yourself from falling victim. For more resources, visit our Fraud Prevention page at efirstbankblog.com.

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Published: June 11, 2025