Smishing

Smishing is phishing sent by SMS or messaging apps, with a short text and a link that tries to steal your details or install a bad app.

Smishing: Smishing is phishing delivered through text messages. The word joins SMS and phishing. A short message carries a link or a phone number, and it tries to scare or tempt you into tapping, replying or installing something that gives the sender access to your money or data.

Common Indian smishing texts claim that your SIM will be blocked, your FASTag has a penalty, a courier needs an address fee, or a refund is waiting from the income tax office. Some even appear inside the same SMS thread as genuine bank alerts, which makes them look real. The link may open a fake page or download an APK file.

Smishing is dangerous because people trust SMS more than email. A sender name that looks official is not proof, since it can be faked. Treat any text that asks for urgent action, money, a PIN or an app install as a warning sign, and verify through the official app or the number printed on your card. Many phones also show the real bank messages in the same thread, so look closely at the exact link and never trust the look of the sender name alone.

Tips

• Do not tap short links in SMS, especially ones asking for a small fee or an address update.
• Never install an app from a link in a text; use only the Play Store or the company's official site.
• Report suspicious numbers and messages on the Sanchar Saathi portal using the Chakshu facility.

Related terms