"USPS: Your package couldn't be delivered. Click here to reschedule." You've gotten this text. So has everyone. According to the FBI, deceptive texts and emails — phishing and smishing — are the single most commonly reported type of fraud. In this episode, host Mark Sullivan breaks down the everyday text-and-email scam: the handful of messages you'll see over and over, what really happens when you tap that link, and the one simple habit that defeats the most common scam in the world. Backed by FBI and FTC data.

In this episode: what phishing, smishing, and vishing actually mean, the greatest-hits scam texts (fake packages, fake tolls, fake account alerts, fake prizes), how criminals build perfect counterfeit websites to harvest your password, why getting lots of scam texts doesn't mean you've been hacked, and the golden rule — never tap a link in an unexpected message.

Note: Online Scams — Real Stories of Fraud and How to Identify a Scammer has no partnership, sponsorship, or financial relationship with any organization, carrier, app, or website mentioned in this episode. Resources are shared purely for listener benefit.

• Phishing/spoofing as the most commonly reported fraud against seniors. Phishing and spoofing scams were the most commonly reported frauds targeting seniors; they arrive via convincing emails, text messages, or phone calls appearing to come from trusted organizations — banks, delivery companies, or even family members — with the goal of tricking victims into sharing passwords, financial details, or other sensitive information. Bitdefender summary of FBI/IC3 2025 data (bitdefender.com); FBI/IC3 2025 Internet Crime Report (fbi.gov).
• Scale of fraud and senior losses. Complaints from victims over 60 exceeded 201,000 with losses over $7.7 billion in 2025. FBI/IC3 (fbi.gov).
• Phishing/smishing/vishing definitions and mechanics. Reflects standard FTC and consumer-protection guidance on phishing (fake links, counterfeit websites, credential and payment harvesting, malware). FTC consumer education (consumer.ftc.gov); confirm current wording before recording.
• Reporting spam texts. Forwarding spam texts to 7726 ("SPAM") is a widely available U.S. carrier feature; scam emails can be marked as spam/phishing in most email programs. General consumer guidance (consumer.ftc.gov); confirm before recording.
• Recovery steps — password changes, two-factor authentication, card replacement, identity theft. Standard FTC guidance. consumer.ftc.gov and IdentityTheft.gov.
• Reporting resources mentioned. FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov, consumer.ftc.gov, and IdentityTheft.gov. FBI: IC3.gov. AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline (free, non-members welcome).