Fraudsters deliver text message scams via SMS to steal credentials, install malware, and manipulate recipients into financial losses. Also known as SMS phishing or "smishing," these attacks exploit fundamental vulnerabilities in telecommunications infrastructure, particularly SS7 protocol weaknesses that enable attackers to intercept and manipulate SMS communications.

Text message scams pose particular risks in the modern cybersecurity landscape because they bypass traditional email security controls and exploit the inherent trust users place in SMS communications. Unlike email phishing, SMS messages have limited header analysis capabilities and reduced URL preview functionality, making malicious content detection significantly more challenging for both automated systems and end users.

Cybercriminals execute SMS phishing attacks through a sophisticated multi-stage process that exploits telecommunications infrastructure vulnerabilities and psychological manipulation techniques. Cybercriminals establish technical infrastructure and conclude with credential harvesting or malware deployment.

The core SMS scam process involves four critical components:

• Infrastructure Exploitation: Attackers exploit SS7 protocol vulnerabilities using UpdateLocation or SendRoutingInfoForSM commands to reroute or intercept messages intended for legitimate subscribers

• Message Personalization: Cybercriminals employ generative AI tools to craft convincing, personalized smishing messages that appear to come from trusted sources like banks, delivery services, or government agencies

• Spoofing and Delivery: Threat actors execute SMS spoofing techniques to impersonate legitimate senders, making fraudulent messages appear authentic to recipients

• Payload Execution: The attack culminates in credential harvesting through fake login portals, malware installation via malicious links, or social engineering to bypass security controls

Understanding this technical process enables security teams to implement appropriate detection and prevention controls that address each attack stage rather than relying solely on end-user awareness.

Text message scams encompass various attack vectors, each specifically designed to target different organizational vulnerabilities and user behaviors.

These attacks impersonate government agencies, law enforcement, or regulatory bodies to create urgency and bypass critical thinking. Attackers typically claim account suspensions, legal violations, or mandatory compliance actions requiring immediate response.

Threat actors use text messages to harvest credentials, bypass multi-factor authentication, and deliver mobile malware for persistent enterprise system access. These attacks often begin with SMS messages claiming account security alerts or required authentication updates.

Fake delivery notifications target both consumers and business operations. These attacks impersonate legitimate shipping companies, payment processors, or toll collection services to harvest credentials and payment information. Organizations with significant logistics operations face particular risk from these targeted campaigns.

Detecting SMS-based attacks requires comprehensive technical controls and user awareness programs that address mobile security gaps in traditional enterprise defense strategies.

Technical detection methods include Mobile Device Management systems with SMS filtering capabilities, network-level SMS traffic analysis, and application allowlisting to prevent unauthorized messaging applications.

The warning signs of SMS attacks include:

• Unsolicited messages requesting immediate action

• Urgent account verification requests from unexpected sources

• Communications claiming security emergencies

• Messages containing shortened URLs or requests for sensitive information via text

• Instructions to download applications should trigger an immediate security review

Preventing text message scams requires implementing comprehensive technical controls, user training programs, and incident response procedures that address mobile-specific attack vectors.

Consider implementing these helpful preventive measures:

• Deploy Mobile Device Management systems with SMS filtering and security application enforcement across all corporate mobile devices

• Implement network-level SMS filtering to block suspicious traffic patterns and known malicious sender identities

• Establish encrypted communication platforms for sensitive business communications, moving away from standard SMS for critical operations

• Conduct SMS-specific security awareness training that extends beyond email phishing to address mobile attack recognition

• Develop clear verification procedures for SMS-based requests, requiring out-of-band confirmation for sensitive actions

• Enforce mandatory encryption and regular security updates for all corporate mobile devices

• Create standardized incident reporting procedures specifically addressing SMS-based attacks and social engineering attempts

Ready to enhance your email security and protect your organization from modern threats? Book a personalized demo to know more.