{"id":18219,"date":"2025-07-20T18:02:25","date_gmt":"2025-07-20T12:32:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/learn.razorpay.in\/learn\/?p=18219"},"modified":"2025-09-10T15:06:01","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T09:36:01","slug":"smishing-attacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/razorpay.com\/learn\/smishing-attacks\/","title":{"rendered":"What are Smishing Attacks?: How They Work & How to Prevent Them"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cCybercrimes are increasingly penetrating society, targeting even vulnerable senior citizens. Awareness must be created to educate society about the emerging threats,\u201d –<\/span> MA Saleem Director-General & Inspector-General of Police of Karnataka\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

One of the fastest-growing cyber threats in India today is a scam that starts with something as simple as a text message. You get an SMS saying your bank account will be blocked unless you update your KYC. Or a message offering you a refund, a cashback, or even a parcel tracking link. It looks official\u2014but it\u2019s fake.<\/span><\/p>\n

This kind of scam is called smishing\u2014the SMS version of phishing. Instead of emails, fraudsters now use text messages to trick you into clicking a link or sharing personal details. And because mass texting is cheap and people rely heavily on their phones, <\/span>smishing attacks<\/b> are spreading faster than ever.<\/span><\/p>\n

Continue reading this blog to learn how smishing works, the most common types of smishing to watch out for, and simple ways to protect yourself from these scams.<\/span>
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What Is a Smishing Attack?<\/b><\/h2>\n

A smishing attack is a scam where fraudsters send fake SMS messages to trick you into taking harmful actions. <\/span>Smishing stands for<\/b> \u201cSMS phishing\u201d and is a <\/span>type of attack done over text messages<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

These messages often look like they\u2019re from your bank, a delivery service, or a government body. It may contain a link asking you to \u201cverify\u201d your KYC, claim a refund, or track a parcel. But the moment you click, you\u2019re either redirected to a fake website, unknowingly download malware, or end up sharing sensitive information like card details or OTPs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Smishing works by creating a sense of urgency or fear, so you respond quickly without thinking.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Smishing Works?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Smishing attacks<\/b> work by making you believe the message is from a trusted source. Attackers often spoof names of banks, government bodies, delivery partners, or payment platforms<\/a> to create a sense of urgency or authority.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how these scams usually work:<\/span><\/p>\n