Text messaging is far and away the most popular form of communication on the planet. It’s everywhere, and it’s easy to use. As a result, scammers have been using text messages as part of their scams for years now. The good news is that there are steps you can take to protect yourself from these types of scams.
In this blog post, we’ll show you five different text message scams you didn’t know about. So, stay tuned!
5 Text Message scams you didn’t know about
Text message scams come in different formats. Let’s have a look at them below;
1. Missed delivery text from a delivery service
Since the inception of the Covid-19 pandemic, more individuals are shopping online, and delivery notice scam messages are on the rise. In this scheme, the fraudster sends you a bogus text message purporting to be from a prominent delivery service such as AliExpress, informing you that a “delivery” was missed or must be rescheduled.
You’ll be tempted to click on the link if you’ve lately purchased something online. However, doing so will frequently direct you to a fake site that requires personal information or an upfront payment in order to make your delivery successful. Don’t fall for it – it’s a scam!
2. Text Messages claiming that your bank is closing your account
Scammers know that giving you anything related to your bank account will cause you to act rashly. These scam texts will frequently imply that your account has been restricted or closed for security reasons. To regain access, you will be requested to click a link or contact a phone number, which is when the fraud begins.
3. Text Messages claiming that your payment for subscription services didn’t go through h
Subscription services such as Netflix, Disney, HBO, and Hulu have been popular targets for text scammers. In these scams, you receive a text message indicating that your account has been closed due to non-payment — or that you have money waiting for you due to an “overpayment.” The fraudster’s purpose is to persuade you to click on the link and enter your payment information, which goes directly to the scammer.
4. Text messages claiming you’ve won a prize or a sweepstakes
Winning a tropical vacation to Dubai, a new MacBook, or a million dollars would brighten your day. But the question is, did you truly win? Receiving news of a prize from a competition you did not enter is a red flag for a sweepstakes SMS scam. Scammers will ask you to pay a charge and supply personal and banking information in order to obtain the prize.
5. Text Messages about purchases you didn’t make
Nobody wants to pay for goods or services they did not request. Scammers utilize the threat of fraudulent purchases to persuade you to call or check your banking information.
In one popular variation of this scam, you will receive a “courtesy alert” regarding a purchase you did not make. If it wasn’t you, a phone number is supplied for you to call. Scammers will ask you to verify your personal information, such as your credit card number, over the phone. They will then have access to your payment information.
Conclusion
Text message scams are part of a bigger problem, in which bad actors try to trick people into giving them money or personal information. These text scams come in different formats. If you get an unexpected text message with a link or offer, don’t click on it – instead go directly to the company’s website and check on your account there.
