Combating Text Message Scams

Cybercriminals are always looking for new ways to sneak into your life and text messages are becoming one of their favorite avenues.

Text message scams are already prevalent and dangerous in the digital world, so be on the lookout. Many text scams utilize similar tactics as email or voice phishing (also known as vishing), by using social engineering and available information on you to craft a text that you’re likely to interact with.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common text message scams.

Many of these scams offer something to their victims like a prize, a low-interest credit card, or help with loans. But many of these prizes come with the cost of your personal information that the cybercriminal can then use against you.

The sender could act as a vendor or service you use frequently, claiming an issue with your payment information, suspicious account activity, or sending a fake invoice and asking you to contact them if you didn’t authorize the payment. They might use popular shipping companies against you by sending a fake delivery notification with a link that could lead your device to be infected with malware.?

Cleverly, cybercriminals have a lot of options when it comes to how they want to scam people through text. But, you also have a lot of options for limiting your interactions with these scams.

You can use the settings on your phone to filter out spam and unknown messages:

• On iPhone navigate to settings, then messages, then turn on filter unknown senders.?
• On Android go to your phone app, click the three vertical dots find your way to settings, blocked numbers, then turn on unknown.

Your wireless provider may also be capable of filtering out unknown senders so try giving their customer support line a call. For even more protection you can download a call blocker app that also blocks texts.

Lastly, remember to follow the most important role of dealing with text message phishing attempts. If you don’t know the sender do not interact with any links attachments and do not reply.

Since its invention texting has rained as the number one method of communication over long distances. This means that texts are used more often than email or phone calls and that means cybercriminals are going to try to take advantage of them. Do not let them get the upper hand. Start protecting your text messages today.

SOURCE: PII PROTECT