Wait Before You Click: How to Spot and Stop Text Message Scams

In the past, most scams arrived by mail or phone calls. Today, they often arrive as a quiet notification on your phone. These scam text messages—often called "smishing"—are designed to look like they come from brands you trust, like your bank, the postal service, or a government agency. The goal isn't to scare you, but to help you recognize the patterns. Once you know what to look for, these messages lose their power. Here is how to stay safe while…