Scammers are getting craftier in their attempts to steal personal or payment information from unsuspecting victims.

A popular method of scamming is called smishing, a term combining 'phishing' and 'SMS' AKA text messages. This is where a scammer sends out text messages pretending to be from a government organization, delivery service, or other reputable company. Text scams are becoming much more common because texts have a higher open rate than email, making it more likely that victims will see the message. These messages can also be sent through other messaging-based apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, Slack, and others.

In these messages, scammers will often use scare tactics, telling the recipient that they need to pay a an overdue fine, or confirm package shipping details for a recently purchased item. In most cases, the scammer wants the recipient to click on a web link or call a phone number to confirm personal information, like login credentials or payment methods.

It's important to always stop and think about the legitimacy of a message before taking any action. Did you recently order an item for delivery? If not, why are you getting a text about one? If you receive messages like these, many smartphones now allow you to report them as Junk.