Americans Lost $470 Million to Text Scams in 2024. Here's How to Protect Yourself

Americans lost $470 million in 2024 to scams that started with a text message

Americans reported losing $470 million to scams that started with text messages, according to new data from the Federal Trade Commission. The most commonly seen text scam was the fake package delivery scam. Victims receive alerts about a supposed issue with an incoming delivery and a link. The FTC said other common text scams involved fraud alert messages sent to consumers warning about a suspicious purchase or an issue with their bank, warnings…

Scammers are texting drivers about unpaid tolls, causing chaos amongst some consumers

If you’ve received a text claiming you owe unpaid tolls, you’re not alone.

Text Scams Cost $470M in 2024, FTC Warns of Rising Losses - The Southern Maryland Chronicle

Consumers lost $470 million to text message scams in 2024, a fivefold increase from 2020, despite fewer reported incidents, according to new data released by the Federal Trade Commission on April 17, 2025. The most prevalent scam involved fake package delivery alerts, where fraudsters texted about supposed delivery issues, often luring victims to phishing links. Other common schemes included bogus job offers, fraudulent bank alerts, fake unpaid …

Text Scams Stole $470 Million From Americans in 2024

2024 numbers show Americans lost over $470 million in text scams with the most common being fake package deliveries and sham job ads.

Fraud alert - texting scam - Cordele Dispatch

Many of these messages may say your account is under review or ask if you approve a recent charge, followed by a link to dispute it or to verify your account. How to Protect Yourself: Verify the Message: Always contact your bank directly via their official website or phone number to verify the authenticity of any text message. Don’t Click on Links: Avoid clicking on links in text messages, as they may lead to phishing sites. Don’t Share Informa…

Americans Lost $470 Million to Text Scams in 2024. Here's How to Protect Yourself

Your phone is probably full of sketchy texts. Here's a breakdown of the most common schemes and how to avoid getting scammed.