
Copy, paste, and edit: X=Msgbox("Message Here",0+16,"Title Here") into Notepad. If you cannot use 7726, then report smishing texts to your mobile service provider and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). If you are an AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint or Bell subscriber, you can report spam or smishing texts to your carrier by copying the original text and forwarding it to 7726 (SPAM), free of charge. Users tend to be more trusting of text messages, so smishing is often lucrative to attackers looking for credentials, banking information, or private data. Smartphone users are three times more likely to fall for fake text messages than computer users are to fall for fake email messages. Sharing the number for your device, buying apps, and using free or inexpensive ring tones or downloads put you at more risk.Īnd those apps or free downloads often come with "terms of agreement," that if not read carefully, may allow your number to be shared or sold. First, you may unknowingly give your consent, and second, criminals don't follow the law. This ban applies even if you have not placed your mobile number on the Do-Not-Call List, but there are two issues.
What you need to know about smishing.įederal law makes it illegal to send commercial text messages to a mobile device without first getting the consumer's permission. Do NOT respond! You may get malware or become an identity theft victim. Some scammers will pitch offers too good to be true or even promise free gift cards or trips. And because smartphone users are three times more likely to fall for fake text messages than computer users are to fall for fake email messages, text message scams are on the rise.Ī common smishing tactic is to send a text warning about a fake problem with one of your accounts and ask for your information. They can send millions of smishing texts at the same time. More than 20 billion text messages are sent every day in the United States.Ī growing number of texts are from thieves trying to scam you. It is just like phishing that uses emails instead smishing uses texts. The goal is to get targets to respond with personal information like passwords and credit card details or to click on links that install malware.
Smishing is when scammers send text messages pretending to be from trusted sources.