scam
Newsletter
22 February 2022

Stop Text Scammers

4 minute read

Scammers use many ways to send you text messages designed to scam you out of your money – not just regular SMS text messages but also WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Viber, Skype, Google Hangouts, Snapchat and other messaging platforms. It has become so common that a new word has been coined to describe it: smishing. Smishing is the fraudulent practice of sending text messages that claim to be from reputable companies in order to induce victims to reveal personal information, such as passwords or credit card numbers.

But there are straightforward ways that you can spot and protect yourself from text scammers.

How to Spot a Text Scam

  • The text message is from an unknown number. Most organisations protect their 'Sender ID' so text messages should display as being from that company, not a generic number. Do be aware that scammers can use identity masking technology to change the name displayed as the sender, which can make it look as if they are contacting you from a legitimate organisation. This is known as ‘number spoofing.’ If you are in doubt, use the company’s website to get their number, call and ask for the person who contacted you.
  • The text message contains information that alarms you. For example, it may say your bank account has been accessed. In this example, you should check your bank balance immediately for peace of mind, but not by clicking on any link in the SMS.
  • The text message is followed up by a call. This is another tactic to make the scam seem more real. If in doubt, contact the organisation it claims to be from, using the official number from the website.
  • The text message requires you to take urgent action. This is a classic tactic of scammers – to rush you into taking action before you realise something unusual is going on. A legitimate company would never rush you.
  • The text message requires you to pay or make account changes via text message. Genuine organisations would not ask you to do this without first logging onto your account.
  • The text message has a website address that does not match the organisation it claims to be from.
  • The text message contains spelling errors, bad grammar or unusual wording. However, whilst professional organisations rarely make this kind of mistake, correct grammar and spelling does not guarantee it is not a scam.
  • The text message contains a link that you need to click for some reason. Links can take you to cloned websites designed to steal your money or personal data or may download malware (or malicious software) onto your phone, which then takes over your phone and accesses your data.

Protect yourself from Text Scams

  • Never follow links
  • Never share personal information
  • Never respond to suspicious texts as this will let the scammer know your number is in use. This could lead to you being targeted by even more text scams
  • Always contact the organisation the texter claims to be from if you’re unsure.

Report Text Scams

If you have been targeted by a text scammer, or been scammed, report it straight away. Sophisticated scammers are experts at parting innocent people from their money but reporting them will help you to stop these criminals and prevent others from falling victim to the same scam.

  • Forward scam texts to 7726 - a free reporting service provided by phone operators. This information is then shared with the police and intelligence agencies working to stop text scams.
  • If you’ve fallen victim to a text scam, contact Action Fraud, the reporting centre for fraud and cyber-crime in England, Wales and Northern Ireland:
    • Call 0300 123 2040 Monday to Friday 8am - 8pm
    • Use the Action Fraud online reporting tool
  • If you live in Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101
  • If you have given your Al Rayan Bank account details to the text scammer, contact us immediately for help:
  • If your money has been stolen as the result of a scam, you can also report it to the police by calling 101.
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