Quick Scoop: What is smishing and phishing?

Smishing and phishing are both scams that try to trick people into giving away personal information, money, or access to accounts. The main difference is the channel: phishing usually happens through email, while smishing happens through text messages or SMS.

What phishing is

Phishing is a broad cyber scam where attackers pretend to be a trusted company, bank, government agency, or service to get you to click a malicious link, open an attachment, or share sensitive details. These messages often create urgency or fear so you act quickly without checking carefully.

What smishing is

Smishing is short for “SMS phishing.” It uses fake text messages to do the same kind of trickery, often pushing you to tap a link, reply with information, or download harmful software. Because texts feel more immediate and personal, smishing can be especially convincing.

How they differ

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Type	Main channel	Typical goal
Phishing	Email	Steal logins, financial info, or money
Smishing	Text message / SMS	Trick you into clicking links, sharing info, or installing malware

Common warning signs

• A message pressures you to act immediately.
• It asks for passwords, one-time codes, or banking details.
• The sender looks familiar but the wording feels off.
• The link or number does not match the real company.
• The message offers an urgent refund, delivery problem, prize, or account alert.

How to stay safe

• Do not click suspicious links in texts or emails.
• Go directly to the company’s official app or website instead.
• Never share passwords or verification codes by text or email.
• If a message seems urgent, verify it through a trusted contact method.
• Report and delete suspicious messages.

If you want, I can also give you a very short one-line definition, a kid- friendly explanation, or a checklist for spotting scams.