Quiz Yourself: Can You Spot Common Smishing Scams?

Ready to test your smishing savviness? We'll guide you through a brief quiz and introduce you to Robokiller Enterprise, an effective tool to safeguard your digital space.

What is Smishing?

'Smishing' is a portmanteau of “SMS” and “phishing.” Smishing scams manipulate victims into sharing sensitive information—such as personal details, bank account numbers, or passwords—through deceptive text messages. These messages often look strikingly similar to those from trusted entities such as your bank, a government agency, or a familiar retailer—making it challenging to separate the genuine from the fraudulent.

Common Smishing Scams

Several common smishing scams continuously catch victims off guard. One prominent tactic is impersonating a trusted entity to trick you into revealing your personal information. Another common tactic is sending fake alerts or notifications, causing panic and provoking immediate, thoughtless action. Some smishers impersonate banks or government agencies, seeking to exploit your trust in these institutions.

Quiz: Can You Spot Common Smishing Scams?

It's time to put your smishing knowledge to the test. Below are several multiple-choice questions, each featuring a potential smishing example. Think about whether each message is genuine or fraudulent, and consider how you would respond to these in real life.

1. You receive a text message from an unknown number saying that your bank account has been temporarily frozen due to suspicious activity and you should click on a provided link to verify your account. Is this likely a smishing scam?
A) Yes
B) No

2. A text message from a number claiming to be your service provider asks you to update your payment details through a provided link, citing problems with your current payment method. Do you suspect this is a smishing scam?
A) Yes
B) No

3. You get an SMS from an unknown number, stating you've won a gift card from a major retailer, with a link to claim your prize. Could this be a smishing scam?
A) Yes
B) No

4. A text message from a number that is identical to your bank's contact number informs you of a large transaction made and asks you to call a different number if the transaction wasn't made by you. Is this possibly a smishing scam?
A) Yes
B) No

5. You receive a message from a familiar delivery service saying your package is on the way with a tracking link included. Is this likely a smishing scam?
A) Yes
B) No

6. You get an SMS from an unknown number claiming that your computer has been infected with a virus and instructing you to download a linked software for an instant fix. Do you suspect this is a smishing scam?
A) Yes
B) No

7. An SMS from your network provider's number tells you that you're eligible for an upgrade on your data plan if you click on a link to confirm your details. Is this likely a smishing scam?
A) Yes
B) No

8. An SMS from a local government office alerts you to an upcoming public safety event and includes a link for more details. Is this likely a smishing scam?
A) Yes
B) No

9. You get an SMS from your doctor's office confirming your upcoming appointment and providing a link to access pre-visit forms. Is this potentially a smishing scam?
A) Yes
B) No

10. You receive a message from a well-known streaming service reminding you of a new season release and offering a link for immediate viewing. Do you suspect this is a smishing scam?
A) Yes
B) No

Done? Let's review the answers and dive into explanations of each case.

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1. A: Yes—Banks would not send a text from an unknown number asking you to click on a link to verify your account due to suspicious activity. They would call you instead.
2. A: Yes—Service providers generally send messages from official numbers and will not ask for your payment details via text message. Always double-check with your service provider.
3. A: Yes—This is a common scam. Winning a contest you didn't enter is a major red flag. Scammers use the prospect of a prize to lure you into clicking the link.
4. A: Yes—This is a trick used by smishers where they mimic the phone number of a trusted entity. The different number provided for you to call is likely the scammer's number.
5. B: No—This could be a genuine message, especially if you're expecting a package. However, if you haven't ordered anything, this could also be a scam. It's always better to track your package from the retailer's official site.
6. A: Yes—Receiving an SMS about a computer virus is highly unusual and likely a scam. Legitimate tech companies won't contact you in this manner.
7. A: Yes—While it may appear legitimate, it's always best to confirm such offers by calling your provider directly. Scammers often use attractive offers to get you to reveal personal information.
8. A: No—Although it's always good to be cautious, local government offices may indeed send informational texts about public events. Always check the official website for confirmation.
9. A: No—If you have an upcoming appointment, your doctor's office may send you a legitimate message with necessary links. Always ensure that the link directs you to the clinic's official website.‍
10. A: No—Well-known streaming services often send notifications about new releases. However, always ensure that the link directs you to the streaming service's official website.