FBI issues urgent warning: all smartphone users should delete these messages now

The warning from the FBI is clear and urgent: if you own a smartphone, whether it’s an iPhone or an Android, you must delete certain text messages immediately. This isn’t just about nuisance spam—it’s a widespread cyberattack targeting millions, designed to trick you into falling victim to costly scams.

Many of us rely on text alerts for everything from bills to traffic tickets. But right now, these messages can be weaponized against you. Criminals are exploiting trust in official-sounding texts, pushing fake notices about unpaid tolls, DMV fines, and soon, even messages masquerading as your bank or credit card company. What feels like a routine alert could cost you thousands of dollars if you’re not careful.

What is the scam targeting smartphone users?

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Over the past several weeks, a surge of carefully crafted phishing texts has flooded phones across the United States. These messages falsely claim you owe money for tolls, traffic violations, or other fines, and often urge you to click a link to pay immediately. The FBI has warned that ignoring or not opening these messages keeps you safe, but once you interact or click, you open the door to identity theft and financial loss.

Interestingly, the campaign isn’t limited to just one type of phone. While many headlines have focused on Apple iPhone users—who make up over 150 million of the victims—Android owners are just as vulnerable. The attackers often prefer to send these messages through iMessage or new standards like RCS, encouraging replies that bypass built-in protections on both platforms.

The scale of the operation is staggering. Some cybercriminal groups can send as many as 60 million messages a month, and these numbers multiply as they exploit multiple domains and spoofed phone numbers from around the world. Organized gangs, apparently based in China, operate this “smishing” campaign like a high-volume factory, hitting nearly every phone user in America at some point.

How criminals disguise their operations and what to watch for

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These texts are dangerously convincing. They mimic the style and branding of state agencies, banks, or well-known companies. Phishing websites linked to these texts often have domain names ending in odd extensions like .win or .cfd, chosen because they’re cheap and easy for attackers to register en masse.

Security experts tracking these scams have linked the operation to known Chinese cybercrime syndicates, who rely on scripts and massive infrastructure designed to churn out thousands of phishing websites and spoofed texts daily. The attackers also embed Chinese-language markers in the coding, revealing their origin.

Because of this breadth and automation, conventional network filters and spam detectors sometimes struggle to keep up. Google has rolled out new artificial intelligence tools to flag and block scam texts on Android phones, but the scam keeps evolving to dodge these defenses.

For example, a recent warning from Florida authorities highlighted how scammers continually refine their craft: their texts have become so polished that many victims don’t realize they’re being targeted until it’s too late. Similar warnings are now coming from Georgia, Virginia, and Iowa, each revealing new waves of DMV-themed smishing attacks.

Practical steps to protect yourself from dangerous texts

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Based on FBI advice, the simplest and most effective defense is to delete these suspicious texts immediately—do not reply, do not click any links, and do not share personal information. Even if a message claims to be from the DMV or threatens arrest, remember that official agencies rarely use text messages for sensitive communications or payment requests.

My own experience mirrors this caution. Just last month, I received what looked like a legitimate traffic fine notification. The tone was urgent and the link real-looking, but my gut told me something was off. A quick search confirmed it was part of the latest smishing scam circulating nationwide. Deleting it without clicking protected my personal information and saved me from a potential headache.

Always verify suspicious texts by calling the official agency directly using contact information from their official website—never use phone numbers or links provided in the suspect message.

Beyond deletion, make sure your phone’s spam filters are enabled, and keep your operating system and apps updated to patch security vulnerabilities. Additionally, be wary of any messages that pressure you to act immediately. Scammers rely on creating panic to rush victims into mistakes, a tactic as old as fraud itself but just as effective.

If you’re unsure whether a text is legitimate, share it with friends or online communities before acting. The more we discuss and raise awareness, the harder it is for scammers to succeed.

Have you or someone you know received one of these scam texts? What steps did you take? Share your experience below and spread the word—protecting our phones is now as vital as locking our front doors. Your stories might help someone avoid a costly mistake.