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
Among the most pressing concerns this year are phishing and smishing scams, where fraudsters pose as the IRS or other financial institutions through emails and text messages to steal personal information.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
Another sign that gives away a lot of smishing messages is their sense of urgency.
—David Nield, WIRED, 12 Dec. 2021
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 1 Mar. 2025
Another sign that gives away a lot of smishing messages is their sense of urgency.
—David Nield, WIRED, 12 Dec. 2021
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
Cite this Entry
“Smishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smishing. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share