Have you ever received a text message that looked real but felt suspicious? You’re not alone. Millions of people receive fake text messages every day. These messages try to trick you into sharing personal details, like your bank account number, password, or OTP.
The rise of fake messages
In December 2024, an estimated 4.5 billion spam messages were sent every week. That’s more than 7,400 messages every second. Most of these messages pretend to come from trusted sources, banks, telecom companies, or even government departments.
Their goal is simple: steal your data or money.
What are fake or phishing text messages?
Fake text messages, also called phishing or smishing (SMS phishing), are designed to look like legitimate messages from real companies.
Scammers use these to:
- Steal bank details and OTPs
- Gain login information and passwords
- Install malware through fake links
- Collect identity details like PAN, Aadhaar, or social security numbers
How to identify fake messages by their endings
In India, you can often identify the type of message by looking at the letters at the end of the sender ID.
Here’s what those letters mean:
| Ending Letter | Type of Message | Example | Safety Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| –g or –gi | Sent by the Government | GOVT-ID, PIB-GI | Safe |
| –s | Sent by a verified service provider | JIO-S, AIRTEL-S | Safe |
| –t | Banking transaction messages | HDFCBK-T, SBIN-T | Safe |
| –p | Promotional or company marketing texts | PAYTM-P, FLIPKRT-P | Usually safe |
| No ending | Unknown or unverified sender | Random numbers or IDs | Suspicious, stay alert |
If a message has no ending letter or looks incomplete, treat it as unsafe.
You might wonder, can scammers fake these endings? No. Verified senders must register on the DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) platform, which scammers can’t easily access.
How fake bank SMS scams work
Here’s how criminals make their messages look genuine:
- Sender ID spoofing: They change the sender name to look like your bank.
- Urgency: They warn about blocked accounts or urgent KYC updates.
- Phishing links: They send short or fake URLs that look like bank websites.
- OTP theft: They trick users into sharing OTPs.
Common types of fake bank messages
| Type of Scam | Example Message |
|---|---|
| KYC Update | “Dear customer, your KYC has expired. Update now to avoid account suspension: [link]” |
| Suspicious Activity | “INR 25,000 debited from your account. If not done by you, report here: [link]” |
| Loan/Reward Offer | “Congratulations! You are eligible for a Rs. 5 lakh loan. Apply now: [link]” |
| OTP Scam | “Your OTP for Rs. 15,000 is 4587. Do not share it.” |
Warning signs to watch for
Look for these red flags in any SMS:
- Unfamiliar number or sender ID
- Generic greeting like “Dear Customer”
- Spelling or grammar mistakes
- Urgent tone or pressure to act quickly
- Suspicious links or shortened URLs
What to do if you receive a fake message
- Don’t click on any links.
- Don’t reply or call any number in the message.
- Report the SMS to your bank’s official helpline.
- Forward the message to 1909 or report it on cybercrime.gov.in.
- Delete the message and block the sender.
- If you clicked the link, call your bank immediately and change your passwords.
How to stay safe
- Never share OTPs, PINs, or passwords through calls or messages.
- Always use your bank’s official app or website.
- Keep your phone’s software updated.
- Use trusted security apps to detect spam.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for extra safety.
Fraudsters rely on panic and trust. Stay calm. Verify before you click. Check the nomenclature at the end of every message. If it’s missing or suspicious, delete it. Protect your money, and help others stay alert too.
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