smishing

noun

smish·​ing ˈsmi-shiŋ 

variants or less commonly SMiShing

: the practice of sending text messages to someone in order to trick the person into revealing personal or confidential information which can then be used for criminal purposes

Don't get too excited if you receive a text message announcing you've won a gift card from a big retailer. Chances are it's smishing—or scams perpetrated by text messages.

—Emily Glazer

Smishing is essentially phishing ported to mobile devices and typically arrives in the form of a text message suggesting the user has signed up for a service, and will be charged until they cancel using a web site. The site then prompts the user to click on a link, which actually triggers the download of a Trojan horse …

—Computing

called also SMS phishing

compare phishing

Examples of smishing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Use a data removal service Attackers are able to carry out phishing, smishing and vishing attacks because your personal data is readily available online. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 16 Aug. 2025

In December, another smishing scam was reported where someone claiming to be USPS texted about tracking a package. —Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 2 July 2025

Those smishing texts telling you to make an Ohio Turnpike toll payment won't stop coming. —Mariyam Muhammad, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

The proliferation of these smishing messages was such that both the FBI and Federal Trade Commission intervened, alerting recipients of the con attempts. —Alana Wise, NPR, 24 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

blend of SMS and phishing

First Known Use

2006, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for smishing

• blushing
• brushing
• crushing
• gushing
• hushing
• rushing
• unblushing