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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Stop interacting with the page and text. A click alone does not prove your phone is infected or an account is compromised, but what you do next depends on whether you entered information, downloaded or installed anything, or gave someone device access. Use the steps below to protect the part that may be at risk.
What to do immediately
- Stop. Close the page. Do not enter information, download a file, install an app or profile, reply to the text, or call a number it provides.
- Verify any claimed problem independently. Open the company’s known app, type a familiar website address yourself, or call a number from a source you already trust. Do not use the text’s link or contact details. The FTC advises contacting a purported sender through a number or website you know is real: FTC advice on recognizing and reporting spam texts.
- Report the message. Use your messaging app’s report-junk option or forward the text to 7726 (SPAM), then delete it. You can also report fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
If you clicked but did not enter anything
A click by itself does not establish that malware was installed or that an account was taken over. Close the page, check whether a file downloaded or anything was installed, and keep an eye out for unfamiliar activity on your accounts. The FTC warns that unexpected links can expose people to scams, but does not say that every click infects a device: FTC guidance on unexpected text links.
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If you find a download or have another reason to suspect harmful software, update your security software and run a scan. Do not trust a follow-up message offering to clean or secure your device. For hands-on help, contact the manufacturer or a company you know and trust, or ask a knowledgeable friend or family member.
If you entered a password or account details
Go to the service’s official app or website independently, change the exposed password, and review the account’s recovery and security options. If you reused that password elsewhere, change it on those accounts too. Turn on two-factor authentication where available. If the exposed password belonged to your email account, secure it promptly because access to email can help someone reset other accounts.
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These steps reduce risk; entering a password does not by itself establish that someone has accessed the account. Do not follow links in the text to change credentials or recover the account.
If you shared financial or identity information
Bank, card, or payment details
Contact your bank, card issuer, or payment provider promptly using the number on your card or another independently verified contact method. Explain what information you shared and ask what protective steps are appropriate. If you paid, contact the payment provider and report the fraud; a report does not guarantee a refund.
Social Security or other identity information
If you shared Social Security, credit-card, or bank-account information, use IdentityTheft.gov and follow the recovery steps for the information disclosed. The FTC directs people who think they gave a scammer this information to that service: FTC guidance on what to do after a scam.
If something downloaded, an app was installed, or device access was granted
If a file may have downloaded, update security software, run a scan, and remove anything the scan identifies as a problem. If you installed an app or profile, or granted someone access to your phone or computer, seek device-specific help from the manufacturer or a trusted provider. When a scammer obtained device access, FTC guidance also recommends changing passwords and enabling two-factor authentication, in addition to updating security software and scanning for problems: FTC scam-recovery guidance.
There is no universal cleanup procedure for every iPhone, Android phone, or browser, and a factory reset is not automatically required after every click. The right response depends on what was downloaded, installed, or accessed; use a manufacturer or trusted provider rather than a contact supplied in the suspicious message.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check whether the text’s claim is real
Scam texts often impersonate delivery services, banks, or other familiar organizations. If the message claims a package problem, check tracking through the retailer account or order confirmation for your purchase. For a bank, account, or payment claim, use the organization’s known app, a familiar website address entered yourself, or a phone number obtained from a trusted source. Never use the link, phone number, or reply instructions in the text to verify its claim.
The FTC’s USPS text guidance recommends independently checking delivery claims and reporting suspicious messages in the messaging app or by forwarding them to 7726: FTC guidance on fake USPS and delivery texts.
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