Do you get a couple scam texts a week like us? Learn how to spot this incredibly popular scam like a pro by keeping these key tips in mind.

What are scam texts?

Scam texts are a phishing method used to capture your personal or financial information (sometimes referred to as “smishing”). 

The scammers will text you and attempt to impersonate a business you’re familiar with. The text may say that it’s coming from a trusted and well-known brand such as Netflix, Amazon, a bank, an internet provider, and so on. The scammers find creative ways to lure you into providing sensitive info, such as your credit card information, usually with the goal of stealing your money or your identity.

While this is not a topic we can help you with under our laws, we are sharing this information for educational purposes and to help spread the word about these common scams. Scams and fraud are typically handled by law enforcement and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Examples of scam texts

Scam texts may spark your curiosity by saying you’re owed a refund due or that you missed your package delivery. They may use scare tactics and threaten to close your accounts or arrest you if you don’t comply. Sometimes they will pretend they need to verify your identity or update your payment method.

Red flags that it’s a scam text

It’s safest to assume that texts from unknown numbers are a scam! Here are some ways to spot them:

  • They come out of the blue from a number you don’t recognize
  • Claims to be a credible organization or familiar brand
  • A tone of urgency that asks you to take immediate action
  • An attempt to spark your curiosity
  • A threat of negative consequences or the promise of a reward
  • Includes a suspicious link
  • Bad grammar or formatting (but not always)

How to avoid being duped

  • Ignore and delete texts from unknown numbers
  • Block or report the number
  • If you’re really not sure, independently verify through the business they’re claiming to be (i.e. call your bank directly to confirm)
  • Never click any links!
  • Do not reply
  • Never share personal, confidential, or financial information over text
  • Follow us on Facebook, to see regular real-life examples of scam-texts (like the ones above)
  • Protect your loved ones by spreading the word

Learn more about scam texts and different phishing forms to watch out for by checking out Get Cyber Safe.

Where to go for help

We do not have legal oversight when it comes to scam texts in BC. This information is purely for educational purposes.

If you feel that you may have been a victim of fraud, please contact your local police (non-emergency) as soon as possible and report it to the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre.

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Were you a victim of a scam? Watch out for the “recovery pitch”
What to do if you receive a spam text

About Consumer Protection BC

We are not-for-profit regulator responsible for overseeing certain industries and specific consumer transactions in British Columbia. If your concern is captured under the laws we enforce, we will use the tools at our disposal to assist you. If we can’t help you directly, we will try to offer a referral to a relevant organization, if one exists. Other times, court or legal assistance may be the best option. Explore our website at www.consumerprotectionbc.ca