How to Identify Spam Text

According to the FTC, about $86 million was lost in 2020 in fraud related to spam text.

Spam texts also known as SMS spam are messages sent by spammers, hackers, and other malicious actors to illegally obtain information or steal money from targets. They are usually sent as part of a massive campaign to trick unsuspecting victims.

Why Spam Text?

Spammers are increasingly using SMS over other spamming methods because people respond quicker and at a higher rate. 

Text messages are also subjected to less scrutiny, unlike other spam methods.

In addition, SMS is used by legitimate advertisers and businesses giving spammers a good cover.

How to Spot Spam Texts

Spam texts vary in content and style. While there is no universal method of identifying spam text messages, there are telltale signs that you can use in identifying suspicious SMS. These include:

Service Subscriptions

While SMS-based subscriptions have significantly reduced, it is still used by spammers.

Services that are marketed to victims via SMS are often scams. On replying to such messages, targets are automatically subscribed to expensive services and are then billed. 

Unfortunately, canceling such a subscription is usually difficult leaving the victims with huge recurring bills.

Long Phone Numbers

Legitimate business SMS usually originate from shortcodes of 5 to 6 digits. They can also be sent local business phone or standard 10 digits numbers.

If you receive an SMS from an unusually long number, you should be suspicious of such messages as they are likely from spammers regardless of who the sender claims to be.

Messages from Own Number

A recent trend of spam SMS involves sending messages that appear to be from the victim’s own phone number. 

By spoofing the receiver’s phone number, spammers are able to bypass many email filtering systems and applications and get their spam messages delivered directly to the victims’ message inbox. 

Even security-conscious users can fall for this trick as users believe that SMS with the receiver’s number as sender could only have originated from the carriers.

Irrelevant Messages

Spammers don’t tailor messages to each recipient. Instead, they compose a message and send it en masse to potential victims in the hope that some target will fall for it.

If you receive an SMS that is completely random and has no connection to you or any of your current activities, then such text message is spam. A message about your birthday at the wrong time of the year or a vacation update when you are not planning for one should be treated as spam.

Incorrect Grammar and Spelling

Another sign of fake text messages is the use of poor grammar.  

The awkward use of English and misspellings in an SMS body means either the spammer did not bother to correct the text or they lack the knowledge to spot and correct grammatical and spelling errors.

Legitimate business text messages will use proper grammar, correct punctuations, and spelling.

SMS with Suspicious Links

Spammers often include suspicious links in text messages. The malicious links point to websites controlled by the spammer. The websites may be designed to steal users’ personal information, serve harmful content to victims or install a malicious app.

If you receive any message containing any suspicious link, it is likely spam.  Do not follow the prompts of the message. 

To increase their odds of success, spammers may mask the destination URL to hide the real target website.

Rewards Text Messages

In order to increase conversion rates, spammers promise certain rewards or offer important information in spam text. These rewards can entice victims to follow the hacker’s instructions.

Some examples of reward spam texts include refunds from the IRS and notifications about a big prize win.

Ways to Fight Spam Text

When you respond to spam SMS in any way, you are telling the spammers that your number is active. 

Consequently, your number will be added to the active spam list and sold to other spammers who will use it in future campaigns.

Never Reply to a Spam Message

When you respond to spam SMS in any way, you are telling the spammers that your number is active. 

Consequently, your number will be added to the active spam list and sold to other spammers who will use it in future campaigns.

Use Anti-Spam Apps

iPhone and Android smartphones have inbuilt app settings for blocking unwanted messages. 

There are also third-party anti-spam applications in various app stores. These apps often have more customization and advanced anti-spam filters than inbuilt ones.

Using any of these options, you can block spam messages from reaching your SMS inbox.

Report all Spam messages 

Before deleting any text messages you can help with the fight against spam text by forwarding the message to 7726 which is the universal spam reporting number for US carriers.

Doing this will help carriers protect other users from receiving the message.

Safeguard Your Phone Number

Don’t submit your phone number to random websites. Also, avoid sharing your phone number with untrusted people.

  If you indiscriminately share your phone number, it can end up in the hands of malicious actors who would flood your phone with spam messages.

The incidence of spam text is increasing because of its efficiency and rewards. A report by Robokiller revealed that Americans receive about 87.8 billion spam text messages in 2021 which is a 58 percent increase over the previous year.

There are various ways scammers can weaponize spam text against businesses such as in smishing attacks .

The tips above will help you identify, report, and delete spam text messages from your phone.

Be on the lookout for spam texts and do not reply or supply the information requested by suspicious senders to stay safe. 

The post How to Identify Spam Text appeared first on SDTEK | San Diego, CA.

June 17, 2025
Meeting IT security compliance standards is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data, particularly in industries such as healthcare, finance, defense, and e-commerce. Regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA, CMMC, PCI-DSS, and GDPR exist to help ensure businesses protect customer information and maintain robust cybersecurity practices. Unfortunately, many organizations fall short of these requirements, often due to common, avoidable mistakes. These gaps can result in costly fines, data breaches, and reputational damage, which can significantly impact the business's bottom line and customer trust. 1. Failing to Conduct Regular Risk Assessments The Pitfall: Many businesses overlook the importance of conducting routine risk assessments. Without these, it’s challenging to identify vulnerabilities or evaluate whether your current cybersecurity controls meet compliance standards. How to Avoid It: Implement a regular risk assessment schedule. Work with a qualified IT provider to evaluate your systems, identify weaknesses, and document remediation plans. These assessments should be performed at least annually, or whenever significant changes to the system occur. 2. Inadequate Employee Training The Pitfall: Your employees are your first line of defense—and often your most significant vulnerability. A common compliance issue arises when businesses fail to train staff on cybersecurity best practices or on handling sensitive data appropriately. How to Avoid It: Invest in ongoing cybersecurity awareness training. Ensure employees understand how to recognize phishing emails, create strong passwords, and report any suspicious activity. Training should be updated regularly to reflect current threats and compliance requirements. 3. Improper Data Handling and Storage The Pitfall: Storing sensitive data in unsecured locations, failing to encrypt information, or retaining data longer than necessary are significant compliance risks. These practices are often flagged during audits. How to Avoid It: Adopt data classification policies that define how different types of data should be handled; encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit. Establish clear data retention policies and ensure that obsolete data is disposed of securely. 4. Lack of Incident Response Planning The Pitfall: When a security incident occurs, time is of the essence. Many businesses lack a documented incident response plan, or their existing plan hasn’t been thoroughly tested. This can lead to delayed responses, increased damage, and regulatory penalties. How to Avoid It: Develop a formal incident response plan that includes roles, responsibilities, communication protocols, and steps for containment and recovery. Run simulated breach scenarios with your IT team to ensure everyone knows how to respond effectively. 5. Using Outdated Software or Systems The Pitfall: Running outdated operating systems, software, or firmware is a common issue that can lead to compliance failures. Unsupported technologies are more vulnerable to exploitation. How to Avoid It: Keep all systems and applications up to date with the latest patches. Use automated tools to track software versions and receive alerts about end-of-life technologies. Schedule regular maintenance windows to apply updates and upgrades. 6. Insufficient Access Controls The Pitfall: Allowing too many employees access to sensitive data—or failing to revoke access when it’s no longer needed—can lead to data breaches and non-compliance. How to Avoid It: Implement role-based access controls and follow the principle of least privilege. This principle means that each user should have the minimum level of access necessary to perform their job. Regularly audit user accounts and permissions to ensure access is current and appropriate. Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an additional layer of protection. 7. Neglecting Third-Party Vendor Risks The Pitfall: Businesses often overlook the fact that their compliance responsibilities extend to third-party vendors. If a vendor mishandles your data, you could still be held accountable. How to Avoid It: Vet third-party vendors carefully. Ensure they meet the same compliance standards as your business and include security requirements in your contracts. Conduct periodic audits or request compliance certifications from your vendors. 8. Failing to Document Policies and Procedures The Pitfall: Even if your security practices are strong, failing to document your compliance policies can result in audit failures. Regulators want to see evidence that you have formal processes in place. How to Avoid It: Create and maintain clear documentation for all compliance-related policies, including data protection, access control, incident response, and employee training. Make these documents easily accessible for audits and regularly review them to ensure updates are current. Conclusion Compliance with IT security standards is not a one-time project—it requires ongoing attention, regular updates, and a proactive approach to maintain effectiveness. By understanding and addressing these common pitfalls, your business can stay ahead of regulatory requirements, strengthen its security posture, and reduce the risk of costly incidents. This ongoing attention is crucial to maintaining your business's security and audit readiness. If you’re unsure whether your business is meeting current IT compliance standards, professional support can help. Contact SDTEK today to schedule a compliance assessment and learn how our IT services can keep your business secure and audit-ready. With our support, you can navigate the complex landscape of IT security compliance with confidence.
April 9, 2025
In today’s digital-first world, cybersecurity isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether you run a small startup or a growing enterprise in Fort Wayne , protecting your business’s data, systems, and clients is essential for long-term success. From ransomware attacks to phishing scams, cyber threats are evolving every day, and the best way to stay ahead of them is by partnering with a reliable IT services provider that understands the unique needs of local businesses. Here’s why investing in professional business IT support is one of the smartest decisions Fort Wayne businesses can make—and how working with SDTEK helps protect your operations, your data, and your reputation.