Spam texts are becoming smarter, sneakier, and unfortunately, more believable. Recently, we've seen an uptick in deceptive texts pretending to be from trusted sources—like UPS delivery alerts or official banking messages—designed specifically to trick recipients into handing over personal information.

One of my friends recently fell victim to one of these scams. She received a text claiming she owed a payment to Kansas Plate Pay, which was rather believable considering she a) had a Kansas phone number and b) had recently traveled to see her parents back home. 

Believing the message to be legitimate, she clicked the link before she looked at it any closer. She quickly second guesed herself, but it was too late. While she didn't put in her card information, the link had downloaded all her card information, and shortly after, all her debit and credit accounts she had saved on her phone were compromised.

Here are some recent spam text examples circulating in our area:

Fake Delivery Notifications: 

Texts claiming to be from UPS or other courier services, insisting you must reschedule a missed delivery by clicking a suspicious link.

Banking Scams: 

Messages pretending to be from reputable financial institutions, asking for payments, checks, or even personal card information.

Urgent Payment Requests: 

Texts creating urgency, stating immediate action is required to avoid fees or account closure.

So how can you stay safe?

1. Don't Click Links: Avoid clicking any links from numbers or emails you don't recognize.
2. Check the Sender: Genuine texts usually come from shortcodes or clearly identifiable numbers—not random emails or international numbers.
3. Look for Errors: Scam texts often contain poor grammar, misspellings, and odd formatting.
4. Contact Official Sources Directly: If you're unsure, always contact the supposed sender using their official customer service number or website.

Remember, it's always better to be safe than sorry. Stay alert, spread awareness, and keep your information secure!