Why Am I Getting So Many Scam Texts and Calls? The Hidden Truth Behind Today’s Fraud Epidemic

August 2026 — It can feel like your phone has become a magnet for scam texts and robocalls. One day it’s a package delivery notification. The next it’s a toll payment reminder, a bank alert or a message from an unknown number saying “Hi.” If you’re wondering why this keeps happening, you’re not alone.

Millions of people receive scam texts and calls every year, and the volume continues to rise as criminals use new technology to reach more people at lower cost. At the same time, a growing number of scam operations are linked to organized criminal networks that exploit vulnerable people and, in some cases, force trafficking victims to carry out scams against their will.

Why do scammers keep contacting me?

The simple answer: because it works.

Scammers only need a small percentage of people to respond for their schemes to be profitable. Sending thousands or millions of messages costs very little, making it a numbers game for criminal organizations.
You may be receiving more scam messages because:

Your phone number has appeared in a data breach or marketing database.

Automated systems generate or purchase lists of phone numbers.

You previously answered a scam call or responded to an unknown text.

Criminal networks are sending messages to huge numbers of people at once rather than targeting specific individuals.

Importantly, receiving scam texts does not necessarily mean your phone has been hacked or your information is compromised.

Why are scam texts becoming more common?

Technology has made it easier than ever for criminal networks to operate at scale.

Mass texting tools, internet-based calling systems and artificial intelligence allow scammers to contact thousands of potential victims in minutes. Criminal organizations can quickly change phone numbers, impersonate legitimate organizations and continuously adapt their tactics.

At the same time, a disturbing trend has emerged: the rise of forced scamming.

According to IJM, hundreds of thousands of people may be trapped in scam compounds across parts of South and Southeast Asia, where they are deceived by fake job postings or fake job text messages, have their documents confiscated and are forced to conduct online scams under threats, abuse and violence.

Watch the story of one brave survivor of forced scamming:

The hidden reality behind some scam messages 

When most of us receive a scam text, we imagine a criminal sitting behind a computer. 

Sometimes that’s true. But in many forced-scamming operations, the person sending the message may also be a victim.  IJM reports that traffickers recruit people with promises of legitimate employment. Once they arrive for work, many discover they have been trapped in compounds and are forced to spend long hours attempting to scam strangers online. Those who fail to meet targets may face punishment, abuse or deprivation.  

This reality doesn’t excuse fraud. Criminals should be held accountable. But it reminds us that effective solutions must address both the people being targeted by scams and those being exploited by the networks running them.  

What should I do if I receive a scam text? 

If a suspicious message arrives: 

1. Don’t respond
   Even responding “Stop” or “Wrong number” can signal that your number is active. The FBI and cybersecurity experts recommend avoiding engagement with suspicious texts from unknown senders.  
2. Don’t click links 
   Scammers often use links to steal personal information, install malware or direct victims to fake websites.
3. Verify independently 
   If a message claims to be from a bank, shipping company, government agency or friend, contact that organization or person directly using trusted contact information.  
4. Block and report 
   Use your phone’s reporting features and report scams to appropriate authorities. Reports help identify patterns and support investigations.  

How can we respond with wisdom and compassion?

We should take scams seriously and protect ourselves. At the same time, we can recognize that some scam messages are connected to a broader issue of human trafficking and forced labor. 

Our perspective recommends a call for both vigilance and justice: 

• Protect yourself and your family. 
• Refuse to engage with scams. 
• Support efforts that dismantle criminal networks. 
• Pray for victims who have lost money or personal information. 
• Pray for those trapped in forced-scamming compounds who need rescue and restoration.  

The Bottom Line 

If it seems like you’re getting more scam texts and calls than ever before, you’re probably right. Criminal networks have become increasingly sophisticated, and some scams are now fueled by large-scale trafficking operations that exploit vulnerable workers.  

The best response is simple: don’t engage, don’t click and verify everything through trusted channels. By staying alert and supporting efforts to combat exploitation, we can help protect both potential scam victims and those being forced to participate in these criminal schemes.  

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