variants
or less commonly SMiShing
: the practice of sending text messages to someone in order to trick the person into revealing personal or confidential information which can then be used for criminal purposes
Don't get too excited if you receive a text message announcing you've won a gift card from a big retailer. Chances are it's smishing—or scams perpetrated by text messages.—
Emily Glazer
Emily GlazerSmishing is essentially phishing ported to mobile devices and typically arrives in the form of a text message suggesting the user has signed up for a service, and will be charged until they cancel using a web site. The site then prompts the user to click on a link, which actually triggers the download of a Trojan horse …—Computing
Computingcalled also SMS phishing
compare phishingExamples of smishing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Tips for avoiding smishing scams: Don't reply to text messages from unknown numbers.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2025
Last April, the FBI reported receiving more than 2,000 complaints reporting smishing scams representing toll road collection services in three states.
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Keep Your Devices Protected Your phone can automatically block some smishing attacks.
—David Nield, WIRED, 12 Dec. 2021
This new tactic is part of a broader trend of smishing (SMS phishing) attacks targeting mobile users.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 27 Jan. 2025
To recognize a smishing scam, look out for the following:
Unknown or hidden numbers.
—Emily Wunderlich, Orlando Sentinel, 25 Jan. 2025
Here’s how to protect yourself To recognize a smishing scam, look out for the following:
— Unknown or hidden numbers.
—Emily Wunderlich, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2025
Despite a statewide legislation push to crack down on robocalls, consumers have still been susceptible to spoofing and text message smishing scams in recent months.
—Alex Perry, The Enquirer, 17 Dec. 2024
Beware of smishing:USPS warns about package tracking 'smishing' text messages: Here's what to know
Can USPS refuse to deliver your mail?
—Mariyam Muhammad, The Enquirer, 19 Dec. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Kate Gibson, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2025
Last April, the FBI reported receiving more than 2,000 complaints reporting smishing scams representing toll road collection services in three states.
—Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025
Keep Your Devices Protected Your phone can automatically block some smishing attacks.
—David Nield, WIRED, 12 Dec. 2021
This new tactic is part of a broader trend of smishing (SMS phishing) attacks targeting mobile users.
—Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 27 Jan. 2025
To recognize a smishing scam, look out for the following:
Unknown or hidden numbers.
—Emily Wunderlich, Orlando Sentinel, 25 Jan. 2025
Here’s how to protect yourself To recognize a smishing scam, look out for the following:
— Unknown or hidden numbers.
—Emily Wunderlich, Sun Sentinel, 24 Jan. 2025
Despite a statewide legislation push to crack down on robocalls, consumers have still been susceptible to spoofing and text message smishing scams in recent months.
—Alex Perry, The Enquirer, 17 Dec. 2024
Beware of smishing:USPS warns about package tracking 'smishing' text messages: Here's what to know
Can USPS refuse to deliver your mail?
—Mariyam Muhammad, The Enquirer, 19 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Smishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smishing. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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