Topic
Texts: scams and fixes
By Brennan Decker. Last reviewed . Every fact links to its source.
The short answer
Scam texts about tolls, packages, elections, and more. Pick the one that matches what you got. Each page shows how to check it and what to do if you already responded.
Pages in Texts
- Unpaid toll and E-ZPass textsIs that toll text a scam? Almost always. How to check, and what to do if you paid.
- USPS redelivery textsReal USPS texts don't have links. How to spot the fake redelivery text.
- Fake UPS, FedEx, and Amazon delivery textsA text says your package is stuck? Check the order yourself.
- Election and political scam textsFake voter, polling place, and donation texts before Election Day. How to check.
- Fake voter registration textsA text says you're not registered to vote? Check it yourself at vote.gov.
- I clicked a scam link. What now?Calm steps for the next 10 minutes, based on what you did after you clicked.
- Fake bank fraud alert texts"Did you make this payment? Reply YES or NO." What to do instead of replying.
- Random job offer textsA remote job you never applied for, by text or WhatsApp? It's probably a scam.
Other topics
- CallsCalls from fake agencies, fake grandkids, and fake Medicare.
- EmailPhishing emails and how to check any message.
- ShoppingFake stores and fake delivery messages.
- Money and banksGift cards, payment requests, and getting money back.
- Accounts and passwordsCodes, hacked accounts, and what to do after a click.
- Credit and identityCredit freezes, data breaches, and identity theft.
- Older adultsScams that often target older people and their families.
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