Or they may tell you to click on a link to learn more about the issue. The messages might ask you to give some personal information - like how much money you make, how much you owe, or your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number - to claim your gift or pursue the offer.
promise free prizes, gift cards or coupons.The scammers use a variety of ever-changing stories to try to rope you in. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. If they get that information, they could gain access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Scammers send fake text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information – things like your password, account number, or Social Security number. What You Need to Know About Romance Scams.What To Do If You’re the Target of Revenge Porn.Virtual Private Network (VPN) Apps on Mobile Devices.Shopping Online with Virtual Currencies infographic.Securing Your Internet-Connected Devices at Home.Protect Your Personal Information and Data.
Mobile Payment Apps: How to Avoid a Scam When You Use One.How to Spot, Avoid and Report Tech Support Scams.How to Secure Your Voice Assistant and Protect Your Privacy.How to Recognize and Report Spam Text Messages.
How to Protect Your Data Before You Get Rid of Your Computer.How To Safely Use Public Wi-Fi Networks.How To Recover Your Hacked Email or Social Media Account.How To Recognize, Remove, and Avoid Malware.How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams.How to Protect Your Phone and the Data on It.If you cannot use 7726, then report smishing texts to your mobile service provider and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). If you are an AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint or Bell subscriber, you can report spam or smishing texts to your carrier by copying the original text and forwarding it to 7726 (SPAM), free of charge. Users tend to be more trusting of text messages, so smishing is often lucrative to attackers looking for credentials, banking information, or private data.Smartphone users are three times more likely to fall for fake text messages than computer users are to fall for fake email messages. Sharing the number for your device, buying apps, and using free or inexpensive ring tones or downloads put you at more risk.Īnd those apps or free downloads often come with "terms of agreement," that if not read carefully, may allow your number to be shared or sold. First, you may unknowingly give your consent, and second, criminals don't follow the law. This ban applies even if you have not placed your mobile number on the Do-Not-Call List, but there are two issues. What you need to know about smishing.įederal law makes it illegal to send commercial text messages to a mobile device without first getting the consumer's permission. Do NOT respond! You may get malware or become an identity theft victim. Some scammers will pitch offers too good to be true or even promise free gift cards or trips. And because smartphone users are three times more likely to fall for fake text messages than computer users are to fall for fake email messages, text message scams are on the rise.Ī common smishing tactic is to send a text warning about a fake problem with one of your accounts and ask for your information. They can send millions of smishing texts at the same time.
More than 20 billion text messages are sent every day in the United States.Ī growing number of texts are from thieves trying to scam you. It is just like phishing that uses emails instead smishing uses texts.
The goal is to get targets to respond with personal information like passwords and credit card details or to click on links that install malware. Smishing is when scammers send text messages pretending to be from trusted sources.