You receive a text message notification and reach for your phone and quickly skim the message. But, be careful. Smishing attacks are taking advantage of our texting habits.
How It Works
- The text message throws you off-guard; fear that your bank account has been hacked, excitement to answer a survey to claim $100, or worry that your utilities are about to get cut-off.
- The message will offer a solution: "click here" or call a certain number.
What You Should Know
- Smishing, or text message scams, are on the rise, outnumbering fraudulent phone calls.
- Because we tend to respond quickly to texts, we are a click or phone call away from having our money or sensitive information stolen.
What You Should Do
- Pause before reacting when you receive a text message notification.
- If you think the message may be real, contact the sender in a way you know is legitimate (for example, a phone number on a recent statement, or by logging into your account you may have with the sender).
- Avoid responding with "STOP" if prompted. This confirms your number is active and it will be sold to other fraudsters.
- Look into how to block unwanted texts on your device or through your service provider.
- Forward spam and suspicious messages to 7726 (SPAM), the spam reporting service by the mobile phone industry.
Remember
You have the power to protect yourself from scams. Please share these tips with friends and family.