As text message scams continue to evolve, it's even more important to be in the know.

Texting scams are one of the fastest-growing forms of fraud - and they're costing consumers more each year. In 2024 alone, Americans lost an estimated $470 million to text scams, according to the Federal Trade Commission. That's more than five times what was reported in 2020.

Globally, the problem is even bigger. According to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance and fraud-prevention company Feedzai, total scam losses exceeded $1.03 trillion worldwide last year. What's more alarming? Nearly half the world's population now encounters a scam attempt every single week - and only about 4% of victims ever recover their money.

At Listerhill, we've seen this trend up close. Many scammers now impersonate our support team or financial alerts using urgent messages designed to trick you into clicking harmful links or giving up personal information.

Let's walk through what these scams look like - and how to protect yourself.

How to Recognize a Texting Scam

Scammers rely on urgency and confusion. Their goal is to get you to click fast or reply without thinking. Common signs include:

• A vague message saying your card is locked or a transaction was denied
• Prompts to confirm charges by clicking a suspicious link or texting back
• Requests for your full debit or credit card number, login credentials, or CVV
• Poor grammar, strange capitalization, or awkward phrasing
• Unknown or suspicious phone numbers

What a Legitimate Listerhill Text Alert Looks Like

We'll always prioritize your security. Here's how to tell the difference between a real alert and a scam:

Here's How Listerhill Will Contact You

If you don't respond to our text within 30 minutes, we'll follow up by phone:

• Debit card fraud calls: 800-272-9446
• Credit card fraud calls: 800-231-5262
• Still unsure? Visit our Support page or call us directly at 256-383-9204 during service hours

The Most Common Scam Tactics in 2025

According to the FTC and Global Anti-Scam Alliance, the most frequent text scams include:

1. Fake Fraud Alerts

Texts pretend to be from your credit union and ask you to confirm or deny a transaction - but lead you to a malicious link.

2. Package Delivery Scams

"Your package couldn't be delivered" messages with links to fake tracking sites.

3. Wrong-Number or Investment Scams

A text meant for someone else quickly turns into a friendly chat, and eventually a pitch to "make easy money" through crypto or wire transfers.

4. Job Offer or Task Scams

You're offered money to complete simple tasks but then asked for upfront fees or personal info.

5. Toll or Utility Payment Scams

Messages claim you missed a toll or need to pay a small fee to avoid penalties.

According to the FTC's 2024 fraud report, overall fraud losses in the U.S. hit $12.5 billion - up 25% from the previous year. Text message scams were a significant driver of that increase.

More:New FTC Data Show a Big Jump in Reported Losses to Fraud to $12.5 Billion in 2024

Tools to Protect Yourself

Take advantage of tools designed to help you detect and block scam messages:

• Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) to report them to your mobile provider
• Block numbers and report junk in iMessage or Google Messages
• Install trusted apps to automatically filter scam texts
• Review Google's Safety Center for more info on protecting your privacy
• Read the FTC's spam text article for recognizing and reporting fake messages

More:How to Recognize and Report Spam Text Messages

Quick Reminders

• Don't click links or scan QR codes from unknown senders
• Never give out your card number, online banking login, or PIN by text
• If in doubt, visit our Support page or call us directly at 256-383-9204 during service hours
• Stay updated on scams by signing up for Consumer FTC Alerts via the FTC's Scam Center
• You can also visit our Scam & Fraud Center to learn more about common scams affecting members.