Scam texts are one of the oldest means of stealing data, but they are getting more advanced. Here's a breakdown of some of ...

Most other numbers will be in the familiar 10-digit format that's standard in the U.S., as you'd expect from a sender that claims to be U.S.-based. Occasionally, there will be numbers that are ...

For example, you might get a text message or email with a six-digit code that you must enter when you log into your bank account. This extra level of protection keeps scammers and hackers out.

If the message came from what is known as a short code (five to six digits) instead of a standard 10-digit phone number, there are ways to search for the owner of that shortcode.