“Smishing” scams are rising more than 770% and that’s just the least terrifying aspect. Criminals are now using AI to impersonate voices so convincingly that even family members are duped. The newest alert from the FBI isn’t exactly covert: “Just hang up.”
Across Virginia and New York, all across the U.S., impostors are claiming to be federal agents, court officials, and even relatives in a bind. They play on fear, urgency, and trust, three things that can leave anyone vulnerable in just a matter of seconds. And with more than $1 trillion stolen worldwide in the last year, the consequences have never been higher.
The silver lining? Now that you know the red flags, you can shut down these scams before they even come close to your bank account. Below are eight of the most widespread and dangerous techniques floating around today, and how to stay ahead of them.
1. Government Impersonation Calls
They usually impersonate officials from agencies like the IRS, Social Security Administration, or Medicare and claim to have urgent issues like overdue taxes or suspended benefits. They will threaten to have you arrested, suspend your Social Security number, or cut off benefits if you do not pay immediately.
Per the U.S. Marshals Service, they will NEVER make a call to obtain money or settle a court matter. Official messages arrive through USPS mail, not telephone, text, or email. If someone claims to be asking for payment in the form of gift cards, cryptocurrencies, or a wire transfer, that is a bright red warning sign. These cons work because they pair credulity with fear. The best response? Hang up and call the agency directly on its official website phone number.
2. Spoofing a Phone Number
Theft has taken a technological twist as thieves use it to make their calls look like they’re coming from a trusted source, your neighbourhood police station, a government agency, or even your friend. This “neighbour spoofing” trick people into picking up, thinking it is real.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Brian Stalnaker advises that spoofed calls have also been used to make threats of fines for not reporting for jury duty, to be paid in gift cards or cryptocurrency. No real agency does it this way. If something sounds off about the call, hang up and call the actual number yourself. Caller ID is not to be trusted when spoofing is in play.
3. AI Voice Cloning
With just three seconds of audio, criminals can now convincingly imitate a person’s voice. The technology has been used to impersonate CEOs signing off on fake wire transfers, or family members begging for emergency loans.
Cybersecurity experts say to listen for awkward silences, robotic-sounding voices, or extraneous noises that don’t make sense. And if a loved one’s voice sounds suspicious, hang up and call back on a trusted line. As one pundit recommended, AI voice cloning is “putting scammers in the driver’s seat to accelerate scams faster than ever.” Your most effective shield is scepticism.
4. Exploding Smishing Text Scams
Smishing text scams have exploded, with the FTC reporting $470 million in losses in 2024, five times the 2020 high. They typically impersonate banks, delivery services, or government agencies, instructing you to click a link or reply.
The NJ Cybersecurity & Communications Integration Cell warns of toll payment scams as the number one offenders, threatening fines or suspension of your license if you do not pay immediately. Never click on links in unsolicited text messages. Instead, call the firm or agency back using a verified number or website.
5. Bogus Package Delivery Notifications
These hoaxes pretend to be USPS or other carriers, claiming a delivery problem. Targets are requested to pay a modest “redelivery fee” that actually transfers credit card or Social Security numbers.
According to the FTC, these are among the most frequently reported text scams, and they tend to use convincing-looking websites to close the deal. If you’re expecting a package, track it through the official carrier’s site, not a link from a random text.
6. Phoney Job Offers
Surprise messages with easy, high-paying jobs are frequently traps for “task scams.” Victims are required to do simple online work, then prompted to send money to release their alleged earnings.
Experiences show that when funds are sent, they’re gone. Real employers never ask for upfront payment or personal financial details through text. If a job sounds too good to be true, especially if it finds you, it’s likely a scam.
7. Bogus Fraud Alerts
They text you telling you suspicious activity is on your account and asking you to confirm or deny a transaction. You text back, and they transfer you to a fake “fraud department” that pressures you into wiring money into a “safe” account that they want.
Banks don’t ever ask you to wire money to protect them. Scams are taking advantage of the fear of losing everything. If you get one of these messages, call your bank on the number on your card, not the number in the message.
8. Romance and ‘Wrong Number’ Scams
A friendly text message from a stranger or “wrong number” can start a fake friendship or romance. Later, the scambaiter dangles a “hot investment”, usually in cryptocurrencies, that drains victims’ accounts. The FTC notes that these scams can cost tens of thousands of dollars. They’re designed to build trust before striking. If someone you’ve never met in person starts talking money, it’s time to walk away.
Scams evolve rapidly, integrating old tricks with new technology like AI voice cloning and huge smishing campaigns. But the bottom line defence is still the same: slow down, verify, and never share financial or personal information with a stranger. As the FTC puts it succinctly, “Don’t explain. Don’t engage. Just hang up.” Staying alert might be the difference between keeping your savings intact and being the next statistic.
