'Smishing' text message scam
George thought the messages warning him about suspicious activity on his account were really from his bank.
George thought the messages were really from his bank, they were actually from a scammer called Clare.
The text message alerts looked genuine – from his banks fraud team, warning him about suspicious activity on his account, and urging him to act quickly to keep his money safe.
This scenario shows how text message smishing scams are designed to create panic and urgency. Follow George’s story and learn how scammers copy trusted organisations, fake websites, and use fear to trick people into giving away personal and banking information.
Press PLAY to follow George's story and learn how to spot the warning signs before it happens to you.
(Don’t worry – when you play one of our scenarios, your data remains completely anonymous.)
If you receive a suspicious text message, phone call or email make sure you pause, think, then decide.
Scammers are clever - be confident and trust that warning voice in your head when something is not quite right.
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