(Photo by Nhac NGUYEN / AFP) (Photo by NHAC NGUYEN/AFP via Getty Images)
Cyberthieves love convenience and reaching victims directly. That’s why they increasingly use texting through an activity called “smishing.”
Some $330 million was stolen through texting scams last year, reports the Federal Trade Commission. That’s why you need to be extra vigilant and monitor the solicitations older relatives or friends might be receiving.
“Whether the text is posing as a delivery service like UPS, claiming you won a free gift, or offering the “perfect” job, these scams are getting out of hand,” notes the Cybercrime Support Network.
“Smishing is a strange word with serious repercussions. The term comes from text message/SMS phishing where bad actors target users to click on a link to gain access to their personal information.”
Smishing could cover a wide range of scams from pitching cryptocurrencies to fake “stranded” relatives who need money.
There are four solid ways to protect yourself and others. Here’s what the CSN recommends:
The best safeguard is to not respond to unknown, unsolicited texters. I get them all the time and delete and block them. It’s easy to do and will save you a lot of trouble.