SMS Fraud Alert: ‘SMSes’ are one of the cunning strategies that scammers have begun employing to con investors. You’ll get a call from some stranger who says they know your family asking for your bank account information so they can send you money. You still get the notification that the money has been received even though it hasn’t been remitted.
Alerting About Scams
The caller calls you back after you receive the message to let you know that more money was received than expected and to ask you to return it. Because you would believe the SMS you received, you would be persuaded to send this extra money. Unfortunately, though, this transaction will actually happen, costing you some money. You should be on the lookout for SMS fraud, so take the following precautions to keep yourself safe:
Verify the Sender
Make sure you know who is sending any unsolicited texts before replying. Text messages from unknown numbers or those purporting to be official organizations without the necessary verification should be taken very seriously.
Avoid Clicking Links
Use caution when clicking on links included in text messages, particularly if they ask for private information or direct you to download strange apps. These links may take you to phishing websites, which are intended to infect your device with malware or steal your data.
Never Share Personal Information
Passwords, PINs, and account information are examples of personal or financial information that should never be shared via text message. Sensitive information is never requested by reputable organizations via unsolicited SMS.
Report Suspicious Activity
Report any suspicious text messages you receive to your mobile service provider or to the relevant authorities, like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the telecoms regulatory body in your nation.
Install Security Software
To guard against malicious threats on your mobile device, install trustworthy antivirus and anti-malware software. These tools can identify and stop questionable behavior, protecting your private data from possible hacks.
