FBI Issues Shocking Nationwide Warning
FBI Issues Massive Nationwide Warning for Smartphone Users
The FBI has renewed warnings for all smartphone users to delete suspicious text messages, as cybercriminals ramp up a major smishing campaign targeting Americans.
The agency’s advisory follows a wave of scams involving fake messages that attempt to trick users into clicking malicious links or making payments.
The scam texts usually claim users owe money for traffic violations, tolls, or other fabricated fines.
They threaten penalties if immediate action isn’t taken. These messages are designed to spark fear and push recipients into compliance.
The FBI said these messages often contain links that appear to lead to legitimate sites, but are designed to steal money or sensitive information. While early versions focused on DMV-related scams, newer messages increasingly impersonate banks, credit card companies, and government agencies.
Although recent reports highlighted iPhone users as targets, officials stress that the threat affects both iPhone and Android users. The scams do not discriminate based on device brand or operating system.
The messages originate from organized Chinese criminal networks operating outside U.S. jurisdiction. These groups use a variety of phone numbers and domain providers to disguise the origin of their messages, making enforcement difficult.
Spam detection filters built into iOS and Android devices, as well as network-level defenses, have failed to block the deluge of scam texts. Google recently announced AI-powered scam detection tools, but their effectiveness against this wave of attacks remains to be seen.
The FBI first issued an advisory about these texts last year, warning users to delete them immediately, as Forbes reported.
Messages that remain unopened do not pose a direct threat, but deletion is still recommended to avoid accidental interaction.
Criminals are now adapting to iPhone security measures. For example, some scam texts ask recipients to reply “Y” to receive more information, which helps bypass Apple’s default filter for unknown senders that blocks clickable links.
The FBI recently confirmed an active investigation into the growing number of fake DMV texts. Authorities say the volume of these messages surged nearly 800% during the first week of June, a trend that continues.
One cybercriminal can send as many as 60 million scam messages per month, totaling over 700 million per year. Officials believe this accounts for the widespread reach of the current smishing campaign.
Florida has emerged as a recent hotspot, with authorities warning of a sharp increase in scam messages targeting local drivers. The FBI said these new messages are more polished and convincing than earlier attempts.
Whether users receive these texts on iPhones or Androids, the agency urges them not to ignore the messages. Deleting them immediately and never clicking any embedded links is the safest response.
In addition to impersonating the DMV, scammers have also pretended to be FBI agents. These texts may falsely claim recipients missed court dates or owe fines, demanding payment to avoid arrest.
A recent scam wave reportedly targets foreign students in the U.S., with messages demanding payment to continue their studies without interruption. These texts also impersonate federal law enforcement.
The FBI’s general warning remains consistent: scammers exploit fear to prompt fast decisions. “They try to ratchet up that sense of urgency,” the agency stated, “so that you don’t think about what you’re doing.”
FBI issues urgent warning to 150M iPhone users: Delete this text as soon as you get it https://t.co/IcDtjIHoEf pic.twitter.com/5dVSZqxrVa
— New York Post (@nypost) June 16, 2025
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