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Text message spam and scams are on the rise. These fake texts try to trick you into giving out your personal information – information such as passwords, account numbers, social security number, and more. If you give them this information they will use it to access your email accounts, bank account, and other accounts. They may also sell your information to other criminals.
Typically these messages are about things such as:
- Free prizes, gift cards, or coupons
- Low or zero interest credit card offers
- Promises to help you pay off loans or other debt
- Notices that there is suspicious activity on one of your accounts
- Claim there was ain issue with a recent payment
- Send you a fake invoice
- Fake package delivery notifications
- And more
These texts will either ask you for personal information or ask you to click on a link that will send you to a fake site mocked up to appear legitimate. Sometimes the links will also contain harmful malware that will auto-install on your device once clicked.
What can you do about these messages?
Well, first I have to repeat the main piece of advice I give for almost all situations like this – NEVER CLICK ANY LINKS OR GIVE OUT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION. Legitimate companies do not send you threatening messages, urgent messages, or freebies.
Most smartphones today give you the option to filter and block spam messages.
Here are guides to help you do that:
Report them!
It is always best to report scammers if you get messages from them.
- Send a copy of the text message to 7726 (SPAM)
- Report it as SPAM
- Report it to the FTC
Again, never ever click a link sent to you randomly or give away any of your personal information to numbers you don’t know. If you suspect that the message may be genuine, you need to check through another source. For example, if you feel that a message about your account suspension or missed payment is real – go to your computer, type in the URL for the account, login, and check your account through legitimate means. One accidental click is all it takes for criminals to scam you.
Be safe out there.
-TeCHS
