Did You Just Receive a Text from Yourself? Learn What Smishing Scams to Expect

Do you feel like you’re getting more promotional texts than ever? Over the last two years, companies have increased the number of offers they send directly to our phones.

Retailers and medical offices now use SMS alerts to keep customers updated. You can get faster shipment tracking and sale notifications, while pharmacies send refill reminders and doctor’s offices help you remember appointments—all straight to your phone.

Text messages are convenient, making them popular for retailers and medical offices. Unfortunately, cybercriminals also use texting to send phi

shing scams, so always check if a message is legitimate before responding.

Text-based scams, known as “smishing,” are growing fast and could soon become a common problem.

Phishing through SMS is rising quickly. Smishing cases went up 328% in 2020 and jumped another 700% in just the first half of 2021. As more companies adjust their security for remote work, this problem will likely keep growing.

Would you like to keep track of important information?

Have you ever gotten a strange text from your own number? If so, don’t worry—it’s probably a smishing scam. These messages are meant to confuse you and get you to click on a link. Stay alert and don’t let scammers take advantage of you.

Criminals use VoIP and spoofing tools to make it seem like a text is coming from your own number. This is one of their latest tricks.

If you get a suspicious text, don’t trust it—it could be an SMS phishing scam. Protect yourself by deleting the message without replying. Some phone carriers also let you delete and report scam texts for extra safety.

Keep up to date on new smishing scams.

Smishing is getting worse because many people don’t know the risks. Many assume only trusted contacts have their phone number, but that isn’t always the case.

Even as mobile technology becomes more important, personal numbers are still at risk. Advertisers can buy contact details from unknown sources online, and criminals use data breaches to get access—all without needing your phone.

Most people haven’t heard of smishing.

Phishing scams aren’t just in emails anymore. Now, scammers hide their tricks in text messages, which can be even harder to spot. Stay alert!

Many people don’t know the real phone number Amazon uses for shipping notifications, which makes it easier for fake messages to trick them.

Text messages often use shortened URLs to hide the real website. It’s harder to spot these on a phone than on a computer.

Text messages often use shortened URLs, which hide the real address and make it hard to tell where a link goes on your phone. Unlike on a computer, you can’t hover over links in texts.

Text messages can be tricky.

Everyone likes the surprise of a package delivery. Scammers take advantage of this by sending fake messages pretending to be from shippers like USPS or FedEx, asking for extra information. Stay alert and don’t get tricked.

Watch out for a new scam that tricks people into giving away personal information. It starts with a link to what looks like an official form, but it’s really a way to steal your details. Scammers may even ask for money to release a fake package. Never give out your credit card number to these schemes.

A new form of deception has emerged

After AT&T installed fiber internet lines in a South Carolina community, residents were targeted by a fake customer drive meant to steal money and data. Luckily, the scam was stopped before it caused real harm.

A homeowner recently got a fake text pretending to be from AT&T. The scammer asked for personal information, but the homeowner noticed the address in the message didn’t match his own and realized it was a scam.

Be careful with messages that promise rewards.

Recent smishing scams use texts that look like free gift offers. These messages have links that can steal your data or install malware. Always be careful and don’t click on suspicious links.

A new scam tricks people into thinking a text is from a company they’ve recently dealt with. Scammers use tempting offers of free gifts, but these are always too good to be true.

Is your phone protected from cyber threats?

Smishing scams are a serious threat to your device’s security. To protect yourself, you need more than just common sense—make sure you have mobile antivirus and DNS filtering. Contact us today for a free consultation.