FBI Warns: Fake SMS Threaten Smartphone Users in the USA

A massive increase in fraudulent SMS prompts the FBI to issue urgent warnings to smartphone users.

In the USA, the FBI reports a drastic rise in so-called smishing attacks – phishing attempts via SMS. These messages often pose as notifications from authorities like the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and urge recipients to pay allegedly outstanding fees. The included links lead to fake websites that aim to steal personal and financial information.

According to the FBI, these attacks increased by over 700% in June 2025. The fraudsters use a variety of newly registered domains and send millions of messages to reach as many victims as possible. Particularly insidious: The texts threaten consequences such as license suspension or legal action to exert pressure on the recipients.

The authorities emphasize that official bodies do not send payment requests or sensitive inquiries via SMS. Users should therefore not click on links in such messages and not disclose any personal data. Instead, it is advised to delete suspicious SMS immediately and report incidents to the appropriate authority.

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