UNWANTED ROBOCALLS, TEXTS, AND PHONE SCAMS SUCK!
It would not surprise most to learn that 91% of all cybersecurity attacks begin with a phishing email, and the number is higher than when considering phishing email as a means for scamming individuals out of their identity or hard-earned cash. However, phishing attacks occurring through social media or text messages (called ‘smishing’) rather than email make up an increasing proportion of attacks. Unwanted, illegal, and fraudulent calls and text messages are the FCC’s top consumer complaint, and according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC); smartphone users are three times more likely to fall for fake text messages than computer users are to fall for fake email messages.
Harassment using phone calls, text messages, and other communication platforms is a common tactic of abuse. Government agencies, such as the IRS or Social Security Administration (SSA) will never directly send you any unsolicited text message or initiate contact via text message, email, or social media. The SSA does use text messages for two-factor authentication, but only if you’ve set up that up yourself. Federal law makes it illegal to send commercial text messages to a mobile device without first getting the consumer’s permission.
The same warning signs that are in email or any other scam for that matter apply to smishing: the contact information doesn’t match, there is an artificial sense of urgency, the greeting (if any) is generic, grammar is suspect, and it has links. Friends don’t send friends links in text messages.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF?
- Make sure your phone’s operating system is up to date. The settings page on Android and iPhones indicates the version and if an update is available.
- Pay close attention to email addresses and phone numbers of senders
- Never click on strange links or attachments; they can contain malicious code that could get installed on your mobile phone.
- Never provide your personal or financial information in response to text messages from unknown senders.
- Be aware of messages conveying a sense of urgency
- Be suspicious of the use of generic greetings
- Watch for URLs that do not match the sending organization
- Do not call a telephone number listed in an unsolicited text message even to ask the sender to stop contacting you. Scam artists often use technology to hide their identity
Always feel empowered to confirm the sender’s identity by using the information listed in your records or by visiting the actual website independent of the original message. You are your own best defense!
HOW TO STOP (OR AT LEAST SLOW DOWN) UNWANTED ROBOCALLS, TEXT MESSAGES, AND PHONE SCAMS
- REGISTER your phone with the National “Do Not Call” registry at https://www.donotcall.gov/
- FORWARD malicious messages to short code 7726—which spells “SPAM.” This goes to your phone carrier who will take steps to limit messages from them going forward.
- FILTER unknown callers and messages from blocked numbers. Calls will typically go straight to voicemail. Text messages from blocked numbers will go undelivered.
- iPhone has a native number blocking feature for calls and text messages. Go to Settings and then Messages. From there select Filter Unknown Senders.
- Most Android have a native number blocking feature that is usually found in the Call or Message settings of the phone.
- BLOCK the number that is sending you junk messages. Spammers typically spoof or switch phone numbers, so you can still receive messages from the same spammer using a different number.
- iPhone: Open the text and tap the phone number at the top of the screen, then tap the Info button. On the Details screen, tap the phone number and then select Block this Caller.
- Android: open the text and tap the three-dot icon in the upper right. Either select the option to Block number or select Details and then tap the option to Block & report spam.
