What is Smishing?
Everyone is familiar with the email based “phishing” scams arriving as spam. Smishing is a version of phishing used through SMS (short message service) by sending text messages to your smart phone.
Example texts would be:
- Something from Fedex with a tracking code and asking you to set delivery preferences. If you tap on the link it will take you to a fake site and then allow you to enter all of your personal information.
- From: Your bank–Unusual activity–MSG Account is frozen. Again, this will provide you with a link to your “banks” website with a code to enter once you follow the link.
- Anything from Amazon stating that if you fill out a survey you will get something free.
- Anything stating that you need to click to make sure your information is secure—DON’T DO IT!
How can I protect myself?
- Look at the source of the message. If you question anything log in to your account on your own terms and do not follow the link.
- Be alert for anything suspicious.
- Avoid entering information after tapping the link in a text message. For example, if you receive a “Fraud Alert” that says its from your bank, don’t tap the link. Go directly to the banks website or simply call the bank.
- Don’t send any sensitive information through a text message.
- Watch out for anything that’s “Free” or “Too good to be true”
- Don’t download or install any software through a link sent through a text message.
Can I block SMS Spam?
Both I-Phones and android devices let you automatically block spammy text messages. When you receive a message that is spam you can block the phone number and you will stop the messages from that number. Please keep in mind that a scammer will change the number they use regularly. If you are getting lot of spam messages you can download an application to “blacklist” all the numbers.
***Information on this page from https://www.howtogeek.com/526115/what-is-smishing-and-how-do-you-protect-yourself/
