Text Scamming

What to do if you receive a text you don't recognize??

STEP

ONE

DO NOT OPEN links from texts!

- By clicking on the link...the hacker can gain unauthorized access to the your account, steal your personal data, or install malware on your device.

STEP

TWO

Do not respond back to texts from numbers you do not know.

- Do not text back as it verifies your phone number

- If the text provides a number for to call...go to the company website and use the number provided on the official website. The one provided in the text could possible be a scam call center.

STEP

THREE

Do not give account information or personal information of any kind in a text!

If a "company" or any person asks you to give them the security code or any other account information that is sent to your phone by text. Hang up. It is a scam! Per the FTC

STEP

FOUR

Report message to your provider.

- This helps your wireless provider spot and block similar messages.

-Report & Block Scams on Apple Iphone (IOS) - with picture tutorial....Click Here

-Report & Blocks Scams on Android/Google - with picture tutorial ....Click Here

STEP

FIVE

Go through your Messages and delete all texts from people you do not know.

Text Scams You Should Delete Immediately

- USPS/UPS Package Delivery

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TEXT SCAM EXAMPLES

Bank Text Scams

This type of scam involves impersonating your bank, leveraging its authority and creating a sense of urgency that your money or ability to access it is in trouble. Because it’s so high stakes, people are susceptible to clicking a link or calling a phony number without giving it a second thought.

UPS/USPS Package Deliery

Attacker will pretend to be from that group to trick you into clicking, divulging sensitive information, passwords, money and more.

Amazon

These scams will have victims click on a link within the email to ‘secure’ their account.” Once you click the link, you will most likely be taken to a webpage that looks like Amazon to sign in. But in reality, it’s a fake webpage meant to trick you into divulging your account information.

Debt Forgiveness

Do not be fooled by official-looking government logos and to never share your FSA ID login information, Account Numbers, OR ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION!

Job Offers

Like other types of scam messages, the goal is often to get you to divulge personal information they can use to steal your identity. Scammers may also convince you to send payment for a computer and other equipment you’ll need for work, promising you’ll get reimbursed soon.

Unpaid Tolls

The text message will include a link to have you fill out personal information like your bank account or credit card, license plate number, and name and address.

Free Gift Scams

Scammers will promise targets they’ll receive free prizes, coupons or gift cards if they click a link within a text message...then they hack your phone!

Wrong Numer

The scammer acts as if they’ve gotten the wrong number and then transition into trying to get you to engage in a conversation. Other times, they act like they know you, preying on your curiosity of who this person is that you can’t seem to remember, in order to get you to chat. These conversations start off innocent, but over time, the scammer works to get you to divulge personal information or send them money.

SCAM PRO TIP

Financial Institutions state on their websites, banks including

Chase, Wells Fargo and

Bank of America

state that they never ask for personal information such as your online banking password, pin or account information through a text, so you can rest assured that if you get a text like this, it is a scam. Contact the bank directly if you have any questions about your account. USE THE PHONE NUMBER LISTED ON THEIR OFFICIAL WEBSITES.