You've just received a text from a number you don't recognize with a link to track a package. The message claims the package is on its way to you and may require you to take some kind of action. You might be wondering if you should trust the source and how you can determine if the message is legitimate?
In an ever-changing digital environment, protecting ourselves against unwanted messages on our mobile devices has become a priority. Here are some practical tips for recognizing and reporting spam text messages. Adopting these best practices will help you better protect yourself and safeguard your personal information.
Reporting spam text messages
If you believe that you have received a spam text message, you can report it to the Spam Reporting Centre using the online form. Your submission is valuable and helps enforce Canada’s anti-spam legislation.
Why report spam?
- To help the Government of Canada hold spammers accountable for their actions
- To help reduce the number of spam messages you’ll receive
If you think you’ve been targeted by a scam, you can report fraud and cybercrime online to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Recognizing spam text messages
Tips for triaging your texts
The following questions can help you determine if you’re dealing with spam, a scam or a legitimate message:
Is the text message relevant to you?
If the text mentions a purchase you don’t remember making, you might be the target of a scam. Do not click on any links if you get a text message that you weren’t expecting.
Is there a company mentioned in the text message with which you have recently done business?
If you don’t recognize the company name, it is wise to remain vigilant. Don’t click on any links included in the message or reply to the text.
If you’re expecting an update on a recent transaction and you think the message may be legitimate, try reaching out to the company using contact methods displayed on its website. If the message is from the company or a third party acting on its behalf, like a broker or a shipper, the company will be able to confirm it.
Do you recognize the short code that was used to send you a text message?
Consult txt.ca’s list of current short codes to verify if the number is registered in the short codes program and under which company name.
Is your order number referenced in the message?
If you recognize the company name and an order number was included in the text, you can compare it to the order confirmation the company sent you for the purchase. If you want to track progress on an order, the best way to safely do this is to refer to your order confirmation, which you will likely find in an email or on a paper receipt from the company. You can also visit the company’s website by using your web browser to find the order status update options, or you can contact the company directly if you still feel unsure about the message. Do not click on links in the text message, as that could be risky.
Did you opt in to receive text messages when you completed an online order?
Businesses must obtain consent to send text messages to their customers. Recalling whether you opted in to receiving information via text from a particular company or whether you have an established relationship (i.e. made a purchase) can help you determine whether the text is legitimate. There are different ways you might have provided your consent to receive text messages from a business. Consult the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission’s resources on consent for further information.
Have you entered any contests or draws?
You should never be asked to pay an upfront fee to collect winnings from a lottery or a contest. These fees are a type of scam and can end up costing you money.
Spam: Nuisance or threat?
Spam messages can be annoying, but they can also be dangerous. It’s important to know what to do when you get a suspicious text message. So how do you determine whether a spam text is a nuisance or a real threat?
Scam: Smishing
It can be difficult to distinguish a legitimate message from a spam message or a scam message, but it’s important to develop the reflex to do so to protect yourself and avoid becoming a victim.
Phishing by text message—known as smishing—is a text message that is sent with malicious intent. These messages can be intended to steal personal or financial information, such as a password or banking information, allowing scammers to gain access to your accounts. Other tactics include messages asking you to claim a prize or track a package.
Some scammers attempt to get you to download malware onto your phone, all while seeming like a legitimate business. This can sometimes happen through a practice called spoofing.
Before doing business with a new company, search the company’s name online with the term “scam” or “complaint.” Read what others are saying about that company.
Examples that may indicate that a text message you’ve received is spam include:
- poor grammar and spelling
- a sense of urgency, indicating that you must reply right away…or else
Not a scam but still spam
Legitimate businesses aren’t looking to scam you, but they still have to comply with Canada’s anti-spam legislation (CASL) and might unknowingly be spamming you if they aren’t aware of the rules for sending text messages to or from Canada.
Text messages from legitimate businesses that are looking to sell you their products or services must be CASL-compliant. Businesses must have your consent to send messages, they must identify themselves, and they must provide you with a way to opt out of future communications.
Note: Every new interaction with a company may establish a renewed business relationship. For further details, consult the CASL Guidance on Implied Consent web page.
CASL applies to all commercial electronic messages, and if businesses are contacting you with texts that aren’t CASL compliant, you can report it on the Report Spam page.
Reporting and blocking unwanted messages on your phone
You can block and report conversations on your mobile phone by transferring the unwanted messages to 7726 (SPAM) to your mobile service provider.
You can also report spam and block specific phone numbers directly in your mobile phone’s messaging app: