Fox News offers advice on how to spot scam text messages before responding to them, noting that fraudulent texts increasingly mimic routine, everyday notifications rather than looking obviously suspicious. The piece is significant because smishing (SMS phishing) has become a widespread tactic, with scammers using urgent or mundane pretexts, such as delayed parcels, unpaid tolls or supposed bank alerts, to trick people into clicking malicious links or handing over personal details.

The article describes common scam text formats, including messages claiming a package is delayed, a toll is unpaid, or a bank account shows suspicious activity, all designed to prompt hasty action. It recommends readers apply a simple mental checklist before clicking links, making payments or sharing information via text, rather than trying to memorise every possible scam variant. The piece also references a related free "CyberGuy Live" class and downloadable checklist aimed at helping people reduce robocalls, spam texts and junk email.