The FBI has renewed warnings for all smartphone users to delete suspicious text messages, as cybercriminals ramp up a major smishing campaign targeting Americans.
The agency’s advisory follows a wave of scams involving fake messages that attempt to trick users into clicking malicious links or making payments.
The scam texts usually claim users owe money for traffic violations, tolls, or other fabricated fines.
They threaten penalties if immediate action isn’t taken. These messages are designed to spark fear and push recipients into compliance.
The FBI said these messages often contain links that appear to lead to legitimate sites, but are designed to steal money or sensitive information. While early versions focused on DMV-related scams, newer messages increasingly impersonate banks, credit card companies, and government agencies.
Although recent reports highlighted iPhone users as targets, officials stress that the threat affects both iPhone and Android users. The scams do not discriminate based on device brand or operating system.
The messages originate from organized Chinese criminal networks operating outside U.S. jurisdiction. These groups use a variety of phone numbers and domain providers to disguise the origin of their messages, making enforcement difficult.
Spam detection filters built into iOS and Android devices, as well