Recent reports have revealed a surge in malicious text messages targeting iPhone users, with scammers exploiting SMS to distribute malware and phishing links that can compromise personal data and financial information. These scams often masquerade as urgent alerts from Apple or banks, warning of suspicious activity or unauthorized purchases to trick victims into clicking harmful links or calling fake support numbers.
Cybersecurity experts warn that while iPhones have built-in protections such as Text Message Filtering and the ability to block unknown senders, scammers continuously adapt their tactics to bypass these defenses. Common scam themes include fake fraud alerts, package delivery problems, phony job offers, toll fee scams, and “wrong number” messages designed to engage victims in conversation and extract sensitive information.
To safeguard against these threats, iPhone users should enable the Messages app’s “Unknown & Spam” filtering feature and consider installing security apps like Malwarebytes, which can detect and block scam texts. Users are advised never to click on suspicious links or call numbers provided in unsolicited messages. Instead, verify any alerts directly through official channels.
Authorities also recommend reporting scam texts to relevant bodies—for example, in the U.S., forwarding spam messages to 7726 helps wireless providers identify and block malicious senders. The FBI and other agencies emphasize that legitimate companies, including Apple, will never request personal information or payments via unsolicited texts.
With text scams costing victims hundreds of millions annually, vigilance and the use of available security tools remain the best defense against these increasingly sophisticated SMS threats.
