FBI asks Android and iPhone users in US to delete these messages immediately

Chinese phishers are reportedly targeting US residents with text messages that appear to be from US toll road operators. These “smishing” texts are said to be targeting iPhone and Android users across America with fake toll bills. The FBI has advised users to delete these texts immediately. One cyber expert has also described the scale of this issue as “astronomical.” According to a report by the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG), “residents of the US are being bombarded with text messages from Chinese phishers, purporting to come from US toll road operators, including the multi-state E-ZPass.” These kits also send package delivery and other fake messages. This is described as an infrastructural attack on phones. In December 2024, the FBI also advised Americans to stop sending texts due to Chinese hackers.