Mishing: The Newest Cybersecurity Threat

Mishing: The Newest Cybersecurity Threat That Will Definitely Ruin Your Life

Because Regular Scams Just Weren’t Stressful Enough

Mishing, the latest digital scam that sounds more like an adorable British insult than a cybersecurity threat, is now here to make your life even more miserable. Forget phishing—sending scam emails and hoping some poor soul clicks a link is so last decade. Cybercriminals have evolved! They now use text messages to scam you, because apparently, stealing your money through email was too inefficient.

According to experts, mishing (a mix of “SMS” and “phishing”) is already responsible for 62% of bad decisions made before morning coffee. That percentage skyrockets to 99% when the scam text starts with “Your package is delayed.” Because let’s face it—who among us is strong enough to ignore the possibility that our latest impulse Amazon purchase has vanished into the abyss?

“I got a text saying my bank account was compromised. Joke’s on them—I don’t even have a bank account, just a wallet full of old Chipotle receipts.” — Taylor Tomlinson

The Anatomy of a Mishing Attack

Mishing messages typically contain:

• A fake emergency – “Your bank account has been compromised! Click this link before your life falls apart!”
• A fake reward – “Congratulations! You’ve won $10,000 from a contest you never entered! Just provide your Social Security number for verification!”
• An emotional hook – “Mom, my phone is broken! I need money urgently! Don’t call me because my voice is also broken!”

Once you click the link, you’re taken to a website that looks just real enough to fool someone whose primary source of news is their cousin’s Facebook page. And just like that, your passwords, bank details, and possibly your dignity are gone.

Why Mishing Works So Well

Mishing is successful for three reasons:

1. People panic at the speed of light. Studies show that humans can go from “calm” to “Oh no, my identity is stolen!” in under 0.3 seconds.
2. Nobody reads fine print. If criminals write “Do not click this link unless you want to be scammed,” most of us would still click, just to see what happens.
3. We trust texts too much. It’s hard to believe a scammer is texting you when the only people who normally do are your dentist and your mom.

Experts Are Concerned, But Only When On Camera

Cybersecurity professionals are warning that mishing is becoming a major issue, but their official response is:

“Change your passwords, don’t click strange links, and maybe just stop using technology altogether.”

One leading expert, Dr. Nathaniel Codebreaker, warns, “If you receive a text claiming to be from your bank, ignore it. Banks don’t use texts. They prefer to torment you through automated phone calls and 45-minute hold times.”

Real-Life Victims Share Their Tragic Stories

Susan, 43, Avid Shopper

“I got a text saying my package was delayed and needed verification. I clicked, entered my details, and suddenly my credit card was buying luxury handbags in Dubai. Joke’s on them—I can’t even afford luxury handbags in Ohio!”

Mark, 29, Tech Enthusiast

“I received a text about a free iPhone giveaway. Of course, I clicked! I only realized it was a scam when my checking account turned into a checking out account.”

Grandma Judy, 78, Victim of Too Many Scams

“They said my grandchild was in trouble and needed money. I wired it immediately. Turns out, I don’t even have a grandchild. But just in case, I wired another $500.”

How to Protect Yourself from Mishing

If you want to avoid being mishandled by mishing, follow these simple rules:

1. Ignore all texts from numbers you don’t recognize. Even if it’s your boss. Especially if it’s your boss.
2. If a message creates panic, assume it’s a scam. True emergencies don’t arrive via text—except maybe when your ex is drunk.
3. Never click links in text messages. Unless you enjoy watching your bank account turn into a case study for financial ruin.
4. Call your bank directly. But be prepared for an interactive voice menu that will test your will to live.
5. Accept your fate. If you exist on the internet, your data was already stolen three breaches ago. At this point, just be flattered they even bothered.

Conclusion

Mishing is the cybercriminal’s way of saying, “We’ve upgraded, and so should you.” If you ever receive a suspicious text, remember: If it sounds too good to be true, or too scary to ignore, it’s probably a scam. Unless it’s a text from your mom reminding you to call her—then it’s definitely real.

The Top 12 Smashing Scams You Absolutely Shouldn’t Fall For (But Probably Will)

Because If It Sounds Too Good to Be True, It’s Definitely a Scam

Scammers are like mosquitoes—they’re everywhere, they thrive in the dark, and no matter how much you try to avoid them, they will get you eventually. They evolve faster than your phone updates, and just when you think you’re too smart to fall for one, you’ll be the next victim wiring money to a “Nigerian prince” in a state of pure panic.

To help you stay one step ahead of these cybercriminal con artists, here are the top 12 most smashing scams that you need to watch out for (and definitely not fall for, but who are we kidding?).

1. Mishing (SMS Phishing) – The Text Message Trap

Ah yes, the scam that sounds like a failed Olympic sport. This is when scammers send a fake text message pretending to be your bank, delivery service, or even a relative in distress. The text usually contains a shady link asking for personal details.

Common messages include:

• “Your package delivery failed! Click this link to reschedule or else you’ll never see it again!”
• “Your bank account has been compromised. Enter your login info here to confirm you exist.”
• “Grandma, it’s me! I need bail money! And also, I love you!”

How to Avoid It:

• Ignore texts from unknown numbers. Your bank is too busy charging overdraft fees to text you.
• Never click suspicious links. If a package is really missing, you’ll hear about it when your neighbor steals it off your porch.

2. Phishing Emails – The Digital Fishing Expedition

This is the scam that your IT department has been warning you about for years. Scammers send an email pretending to be from Amazon, PayPal, or some government agency, asking you to “verify your account” by clicking a link and entering your credentials.

Common email subjects:

• “URGENT: Your Account Will Be Deleted in 24 Hours!”
• “You Have Won a $500 Gift Card! (Just Give Us Your Soul in Exchange)”
• “Dear Customer, Your Social Security Number Needs Verifying (Because We Like Stealing Identities for Fun)”

How to Avoid It:

• Hover over links before clicking. If it doesn’t go where it claims to, it’s a scam.
• Check for typos. If the email is from “Amazone.com” or “Appl3 Support,” congratulations—you’re being scammed.

3. Tech Support Scams – The “Microsoft” Call You Didn’t Ask For

These scammers call and pretend to be from Microsoft, Apple, or another tech company, telling you that your computer has a virus. They’ll ask you to install remote access software so they can “help”—but in reality, they’re stealing your data faster than you can say Ctrl+Alt+Delete.

How to Avoid It:

• Microsoft will NEVER call you. They barely answer when you call them.
• Hang up immediately. Unless you actually enjoy strangers taking over your computer and draining your bank account.

4. Lottery Scams – The Free Money You Didn’t Win

A classic. You get an email or text saying you’ve won millions in a lottery you never entered. All you have to do is pay a “processing fee” first.

How to Avoid It:

• If you never bought a lottery ticket, you didn’t win. That’s how lotteries work.
• Real prizes don’t ask for money up front. Unless it’s a rigged carnival game.

5. Romance Scams – Love Is a Battlefield (and You Just Lost)

Some charming stranger messages you online, builds trust over weeks or months, and then suddenly needs money for a “medical emergency” or “visa fees” to visit you. Spoiler alert: They don’t exist, and now you’re $5,000 poorer.

How to Avoid It:

• Video chat before sending money. If they refuse, their “camera is broken,” or they always have a bad connection, they’re a scammer.
• If someone you never met in real life is asking for money, run. Love is priceless, but their scam isn’t.

6. Fake Job Scams – Work From Home, Get Paid Nothing

You see a job listing that seems perfect: easy work, great pay, and no experience needed! Then they ask you to pay for “training materials” or send personal details before hiring you.

How to Avoid It:

• No legit job asks you to pay them first. That’s the opposite of how jobs work.
• If the salary seems too good to be true, it’s fake. Nobody’s paying you $5,000 a week to post TikToks.

7. Social Media Giveaways – Congrats, You Won Nothing!

Ever get tagged in a post that says, “Congrats! You won a free iPhone! Just click this link and enter your personal info!” Yeah, that’s a scam.

How to Avoid It:

• Legit companies don’t randomly tag you in giveaways. They don’t even tag their own employees.
• Never enter personal details in a random link. Unless you enjoy identity theft.

8. Investment Scams – Make $10,000 Overnight! (By Losing It All)

These scams promise high returns with zero risk—usually through cryptocurrency or “secret stock tips.” Spoiler: The only one getting rich is the scammer.

How to Avoid It:

• If it sounds too good to be true, it is. There’s no such thing as risk-free investment, unless you’re buying snacks.
• Never send money to “brokers” you met online. Unless you want your life savings to vanish.

9. Fake Rental Listings – Your Dream Apartment Doesn’t Exist

You find an amazing rental for cheap. The only catch? The “landlord” needs a deposit before you can see it. Spoiler: It’s not real.

How to Avoid It:

• Never pay upfront before seeing a place. You might be renting air.
• Google the listing. If it appears on multiple sites with different prices, it’s fake.

10. Fake Charities – Guilt-Trip Scams

Scammers pretend to be charities, often after disasters, and pressure you into donating immediately.

How to Avoid It:

• Donate directly through official charity websites. Not a random text message.
• Research before donating. Some scammers even pose as legit charities with tiny spelling differences.

11. Fake Delivery Notifications – “Your Package Is Stuck”

You get a text saying your package can’t be delivered unless you “verify your info.” The link steals your credit card details.

How to Avoid It:

• Check tracking numbers through the carrier’s official site. Not a random text link.
• Delivery companies don’t text you like that. They’ll just leave your package outside in the rain.

12. Deepfake Scams – Your CEO Isn’t Asking for Gift Cards

Scammers now use AI-generated deepfake voices to impersonate your boss or a loved one, asking for money.

How to Avoid It:

• If your “boss” calls asking for urgent gift cards, it’s a scam. Real bosses just make you work overtime for free.
• Always verify requests by calling the person back. Preferably not using the number they gave you.

Conclusion

Scammers are getting smarter, but that doesn’t mean you have to get dumber. Stay alert, trust your instincts, and remember: if anyone asks for money over text, email, or phone—tell them your own funds are currently stuck in a Nigerian prince’s account.

• “A prince from Nigeria emailed me about a fortune, so I sent him my student loan balance. If he wants to inherit something, he can start with my debt.” — Ilana Glazer

• “I got a call from ‘Microsoft’ saying my computer had a virus. I told them, ‘Buddy, this thing is so slow it probably has dysentery from the Oregon Trail.’” — Lauren Pattison

• “I almost fell for a scam text saying my package was delayed, but then I remembered—I’m broke. What package?” — Hannah Berner

• “A scammer called pretending to be my grandma needing money. I said, ‘Nice try. My grandma doesn’t call—she just sends cryptic Facebook comments in all caps.’” — Marcella Arguello

• “They say if you see something, say something. So when I got a phishing email from ‘Amazan,’ I replied, ‘Nice try, you illiterate thieves.’” — Zainab Johnson

• “I got an email saying I’d won a free vacation, so I clicked just to see. Now I have 57 viruses and the closest thing I have to a vacation is my Wi-Fi being too slow to load work emails.” — Amy Gledhill

• “A scammer said my Social Security number had been suspended. Oh no, what will I do? Not retire?!” — Rose Matafeo

• “I got a text from my ‘bank’ saying my account had unusual activity. I knew it was a scam because the only activity in my account is avoiding overdraft fees.” — Rachel Sennott

• “Scammers always say, ‘This is an urgent matter!’ Yeah, well so is me deciding what to eat for dinner, and yet I still ignore that problem daily.” — Irene Tu

• “A scammer told me I won $10,000 and just needed to pay a $500 fee. I said, ‘I can’t even afford to be scammed, man. Times are tough.’” — Savannah Lee

• “I keep getting calls about my car’s extended warranty. Joke’s on them—I don’t even have a car. Just a bus pass and a dream.” — Isabella Cruz