SMS from a stranger with a link: how to tell if it is a scam
«Your parcel is held», «your account will be blocked», «you have an unpaid fine»… followed by a link. Smishing (phishing by SMS) is one of the fastest-growing scams, and the 2 reports from the NoCall community confirm it: faced with an unexpected SMS carrying a link, the rule is to distrust first and verify after.
1. The 4 smishing signs
- You were not expecting it — you ordered no parcel and started no procedure.
- It pressures you — «within 24 hours», «final notice», «immediate block».
- The sender does not add up — a personal mobile instead of the bank or company name.
- It asks for data or a payment — no bank or authority asks for passwords by SMS.
2. Inspect the link without tapping
Long-press the link to see the full address without opening it. Distrust misspelled domains, URL shorteners, and odd extensions. When in doubt, open the official app or type the address by hand: never enter through the SMS link.
3. If you already tapped
Enter no data and close the page. If you shared banking details, call your bank as soon as possible; if you installed any app, remove it and run an antivirus scan.
4. Report the SMS
Forward the message to 7726 (SPAM), block it, and report it on NoCall with a screenshot to warn other users. If you lost money, file a report with the police.