Introduction
Cybermasterminds are increasingly attacking smartphone users with text messages, now more than ever, on our iPhone and Android smartphones, warns the FBI. The scams are growing, getting more sophisticated and more difficult to spot. What can appear to be an innocent text or other message from a friend, bank or even a government agency may be part of a powerful effort by attackers to ruin your life by taking your money, stealing your identity or even just crashing the technology that helps you keep in touch with friends and family.
This post will delve into the risks of text message scams, why text message scams are becoming more common and what you can do to avoid becoming a victim. With a knowledge of what strategies cyber criminals use as well as some simple precautions, you can protect your privacy and ensure that your phone is safe.
Why the FBI Warns About Text Message Scams
The Increasing Number of Text Message Scams
Text message scams are stealing people’s personal information and hijacking their identities, as well as swindling them out of money. It has proven to be one of the most common types of cybercrime in existence. Criminals use unwelcome text messages – either online or offline – to trick people into giving away their personal information. And by defrauding them too. Text message scams targeting iPhone customers and Android owners have doubled in the past year alone (Bloomberg News). The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) says reported text message scams have exploded in recent years. In many cases these scams are based on social engineering tactics like phishing or vishing (voice phishing) attacks, designed to coerce victims into disclosing private information.
- Phishing: Phishing: Cybercriminals pretend to be legitimate entities, such as banks and delivery companies or government departments, in attempts to obtain personal information..
- Vishing: Scammers attempt to deceive you into sharing sensitive information over the phone.
As the smartphone has become a key communication tool, these channels are acting as easy prey for cyber criminals.
Why iPhone and Android Devices Are Targeted
There are plenty of reasons why the iPhone and Android operating systems has loopholes that can be exposed by a text message scam.
- Prevalence of Smartphones: Almost 85% of USA-Americans have a smartphone, so they are not hard to find.
- Text Message and Trust Issues: Trust issues arise between text messages and emails since person trust is typically represented with better sincerity through text messaging links or requests.
- Sophisticated Social Engineering: Spammers craft elaborate, believable messages that may even incorporate details from social media or previous interactions to appear more reputable.
This all adds up to why text message scams are so successful — and, as such, concerning for individuals and companies.
Common Types of Text Message Scams
1. Phishing Messages
The most prevalent form of text message fraud is based around phishing scams. In these cons, the fraudster claims to be a well-known organization, like your bank or an e-commerce site. They typically request for something sensitive, like your login or credit card number, or Social Security number.
Example of a Phishing Message:
“Your account has been compromised! Click here to change your password now.”
- What to look out for:
- Distrustful links to dubious web sites
- Desperation or scare words to make you panic
- Phishing indicators Typos or other grammatical problems indicating a phishing message
2. Smishing (SMS Phishing)
Smishing is a variation of phishing that involves sending text messages directly to users. The aim is to get the victim to click on a link or call a phone number that connects to a malicious site or con artist impersonating an official service.
Example of a Smishing Message:
“You have a box waiting in your office. Click here to track it!”
- What to look out for:
- Unknown senders or numbers
- Links that look suspicious with misspelled domains
- Offers of free services or items, or immediate action
3. Lottery and Prize Scams
In these schemes, victims are told they have won a lottery or other prize but must share personal information or pay a fee to collect their winnings.
Example of a Lottery Scam:
“Congratulations! You are the winner of a $1,000,000 lottery! Get a winning prize by clicking on this.”
- What to look out for:
- Unrealistic prize offers
- Demands for payment or personal information in advance
- An urgency to act now
4. Tech Support Scams
These scams tend to include phony tech support representatives, who tell you that your device is infected with malware or a virus. Others request remote access to your device or payment for services that you don’t need.
Example of a Tech Support Scam:
“Your iPhone has been compromised. Dial this number to speak with an Apple support representative right away.”
- What to look out for:
- Tech Support Enticements Unsolicited Messages
- Phone Numbers or Email Addresses that are not verifiable
- Remote access or payment requests
How to Protect Yourself from Text Message Scams
1. Do Not Click on Suspicious Links
Clicking on links in unsolicited text messages is one of the simplest, albeit most common tactics for being scammed. When in doubt about the legitimacy of a link, it’s better to visit the relevant website directly or call the company directly to check on the message.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication
2FA is an added layer of security that requires you to enter two types of identification when logging into your accounts. Setting up 2FA on your accounts, especially your email and banking accounts, can also help to prevent unauthorized access if scammers manage to pilfer your login details.
3. Use Security Software
You can install security software on your phone that can help find malicious hyperlinks and block known scam websites, similar to antivirus apps for computers. Keep your security application up to date to be able to fight against the most recent threats.
4. Be Wary of Unsolicited Texts
If you get a text from an unfamiliar number, and especially one including a link, exercise caution. For your computer, don’t trust anything that you weren’t looking for, even if it appears to be from a legitimate source. Banks, for instance, will never request your login information in a text message.
Key Statistics on Text Message Scams
- $86 million: The stolen value in phishing scams last year, as estimated by the F.B.I. IC3.
- 75 percent: The share of all scam reports that involved phishing, smishing or vishing, according to the F.B.I.
- 90 percent: The percentage of phishing messages that contain links to bogus websites or malware, up from 60 percent in 2019.
Actionable Tips for Dealing with Scams
- Confirm the Source: Crosscheck any claims or demands disclosed in text messages preceding compliance. Contact the business or individual directly through reliable sources.
- Don’t Share Personal Information: Never share personal details that someone shouldn’t know, especially if you did not initiate contact.
- Report Scams: If you get a shady message, report it to the proper authorities (the FBI or your phone carrier).
Conclusion:
These text message scams are all too real when the FBI says this spam scam is a serious and rapidly growing problem. With some foreknowledge, and by remaining wary of unsolicited bribes and using the right security tools, you can winnow out your personal data from unscrupulous scams. Stay woke and keep your smartphone protected from these constantly changing perils.