Text scamming is more prevalent than ever. Here's how to tell if a text is a scam, and prevent your phone from being hacked.
In this age of phishing and spam, it's crucial to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of text messages to avoid falling victim to scams.
Scammers take seemingly plausible situations and exploit them to get you to click dangerous links. For example, look at this scam message:
So before you click any links (after all, who isn't waiting for a UPS package these days?), here are some tips to determine if the text message is legitimate or potentially phishing/spam:
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Check the Sender's Number: Legitimate messages typically come from a recognizable number associated with a company. Verify that the sender's number matches known company contact information.
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Look for Official Language: Legitimate messages should be well-written and free of grammatical errors or suspicious language. In the case of the example above, do you really think UPS would send a message that says the driver is lost and searching?
- Look Closely at URLs. Scammers use URLs that look similar to legitimate URLs. In the example shown here, the scammer put a "." inside the letters "UPS" — something the real company doesn't do. Question any URL that has periods, hyphens, or other characters inserted. Look at the company's legitimate website to see how the URL appears there.
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Avoid Clicking Links: Don't click on any links or download attachments from unsolicited messages, as they may lead to malicious websites or malware. Instead:
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Contact the Sender Directly: If you have doubts about any message's authenticity, contact the sender directly through their official website or customer service number to inquire if there is a legitimate issue.
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Check for Tracking Information: If a text includes a tracking number, cross-reference it with tracking numbers you received when you made an order or on a shipping confirmation email.
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Don't Provide Personal Information: Never share personal information, financial details, or any sensitive data in response to a text message. Instead ...
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Use Trusted Sources: Rely on trusted sources and communication channels when seeking information about your package, such as the official website or a published phone number to reach a customer service representative.
If any text message seems suspicious or you're uncertain about its authenticity, it's always safer to verify with the company directly rather than interacting with the text message. Phishing attempts can be quite convincing, so it's important to exercise caution when dealing with unexpected messages, even if they appear to be from a legitimate company.