Unwanted calls remain a plague, but scammers are changing tactics. In 2025, SMS spam (or smishing) exploded by 2534% according to a Proofpoint report. This shift is not random: it follows a precise economic and technical logic.
The Explosion of SMS Spam in 2025: The Numbers
According to the Proofpoint report published in 2025, smishing (SMS spam) experienced staggering growth:
- +2534% SMS attacks in the first half of 2025 (source: 01net, 2025)
- Malicious SMS often imitate government communications or delivery services
- In France, campaigns target Doctolib, parcel services, or impersonate relatives
This spectacular increase contrasts with the stagnation, or even decline, of voice phone spam.
Why Do Scammers Prefer SMS Over Phone Calls?
1. Fewer Anti-Spam Filters for SMS Than Phones
Telecom operators have invested heavily in fighting phone spam. Orange, Free, and others offer integrated detection systems that display "Spam probable" on suspicious calls.
However, SMS filters are much less developed. Protection systems like automatic monitoring have historically focused on voice, leaving SMS as a blind spot.
2. Higher Open Rate
According to cybersecurity studies:
- 98% of SMS are opened (vs ~20% for emails)
- Average reading time is 3 minutes
- Users trust SMS more than unknown calls
An SMS saying "Your parcel is waiting" or "Social security refund" is therefore more likely to be read than a masked call.
3. Automation of Smishing
The emergence of automated criminal platforms (like Lucid mentioned by Proofpoint) allows sending millions of fraudulent SMS with just a few clicks.
These tools offer:
- Ready-to-use message templates
- Sender spoofing (making it appear the SMS comes from "AMELI" or "DOCTOLIB")
- Shortened link integration that hides the true destination
For a scammer, sending 100,000 SMS costs less and takes less time than making voice calls, even automated ones (robocalls).
4. Less Strict Regulation on SMS
Phone solicitation is regulated by Bloctel, the CNIL imposes strict rules, and sanctions against voice spam are multiplying.
SMS, however, remains in a regulatory gray area: checks are less frequent, sanctions less systematic.
The Most Common Smishing Techniques in 2026
Fake Pending Parcel
"Your Chronopost parcel is waiting. Click here to pay €1.99 customs fees: [link]"
Fake Bank Notification
"Your bank card has been blocked. Confirm your identity: [link]"
Government Impersonation
"Ameli: you are entitled to a €127 refund. Claim it here: [link]"
Friend/Relative Scam
"Hi, it's me, I changed my number. Can you help me?" (to later request money)
How to Protect Yourself from SMS Spam (Smishing)
Report Suspicious SMS to 33700
The official platform 33700, managed by operators and ARCEP, allows reporting unwanted SMS.
Instructions:
- Forward the fraudulent SMS to 33700
- Then send the sender's number to 33700
- The number will be blocked and authors identified
Never Click on Suspicious SMS Links
Golden rule: no government agency, bank, or delivery service asks for personal data via SMS.
When in doubt:
- Go directly to the official website (do NOT use the SMS link)
- Call the official customer service
- Check Cybermalveillance.gouv.fr
Activate Your Operator's Anti-Spam SMS Filters
Some operators are starting to offer SMS filters (less common than for voice):
- Orange: SMS filtering via Orange et moi app
- Free: unwanted SMS blocking via subscriber area
Check if your operator offers SMS protection and activate it.
Use a Verification Solution Like HUHU
For companies doing multi-channel prospecting (phone + SMS), it's essential to verify number reputation to avoid being associated with spam.
HUHU offers a verification API that detects numbers reported as spam, whether for phone or SMS prospecting.
The Future of Spam: SMS, Then What?
Spam always follows the same pattern: it migrates to the least protected channel.
After phone, it's now SMS. Tomorrow, it could be:
- RCS (Rich Communication Services), the SMS successor with images and buttons
- WhatsApp Business and other professional messaging platforms
- App push notifications
The fight against spam is a cat-and-mouse game. When one channel becomes too monitored, scammers move to the next.
