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I received a suspicious SMS

You received a text message that claims to be from your bank, a delivery company, SARS, or another organisation, and something about it feels off. These messages are usually trying to get you to click a link, call a number, or reply with information.

Do this now

  • Don't click any link in the message.
  • Don't reply, and don't call any number given in the message.
  • Use our 'Is This Suspicious?' checker to see which warning signs it contains.

Then do this

  • If you want to verify the claim, contact the organisation directly using a number or website you already know or trust — never the one in the message.
  • Delete the message once you're confident it's not genuine.

Check these things

  • Does it pressure you to act immediately?
  • Does it ask for a password, PIN, or one-time code?
  • Does the link go to an unfamiliar or misspelled domain?

Don't do this

  • Don't call the number in the message to 'confirm' it.
  • Don't forward the message to family without a warning that it may be a scam.

When should I get help?

  • Contact your bank directly if the message claims to be from them and mentions your account.
  • Report it to your mobile provider if you're receiving repeated scam messages.

Related help

Your situation may involve more than one issue. These related guides can help you work through the next step.

I Entered My Banking Details on a Scam Site — What Now?If you entered banking or card details into a suspicious site, contact your bank immediately through its official app, website, or trusted contact number. Do not use details from the suspicious message.Clicked a Suspicious Link? What to Do NowIf you clicked a suspicious link, don't panic. Close the page and work out what happened next: entering a password, banking details, an OTP, or downloading a file changes what you should do now.I Think I Was SIM Swapped — What Should I Do?If your phone suddenly loses mobile service without an obvious reason and you suspect a SIM swap, contact your mobile provider immediately and secure important accounts using trusted recovery methods.