A new phone number text messaging scam has been making the rounds on smartphones. This sneaky scam is pretty clever. Scammers are getting better by the day at fooling people into thinking they’re genuine, so we have to be more prepared than ever when it comes to protecting our information. Let’s go through how this scam tricks people and what you can do to protect yourself.
What does this text messaging scam do?
Scammer texts from a random number
This new sneaky scam has a scammer text you from a random number claiming that they have your phone number yet don’t have a name attached.
Gain your sympathy
They will then try to gain your sympathy by saying they’re a long-lost friend or family member and they want to reconnect. The message will look something like this:
How do I know if it’s a scam and not a real person trying to contact me?
Remember, it’s always better to err on the side of caution when dealing with unfamiliar or suspicious contacts. Protecting your personal information and staying vigilant can help minimize the risk of falling victim to scams.
If you receive a text from someone claiming to have your phone number but not your name attached to it, it’s important to exercise caution, even if you think it might be a real person. While it may not necessarily be a scam, it’s always better to be safe and protect yourself. Here are some of my tips for protecting yourself.
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Beware of suspicious links or attachments
Avoid clicking on any links or downloading attachments from unknown senders. These could be phishing attempts to gain unauthorized access to your personal information or install malware on your device.
Having good antivirus software on your devices will make sure you are stopped from clicking on any potential malicious links or opening any malicious attachments that a scammer might send you, which may install malware on your devices and allow them to gain access to your personal information.
Man entering his payment information on his phone after falling for a scam text. ( )
Block and report the sender
If you suspect the text sender is engaging in fraudulent activity or if they continue to bother you despite your best efforts to determine their identity, consider blocking their number. Additionally, report the incident to your local authorities or the appropriate organization if it involves a known company or service.
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Use identity theft protection
If you accidentally gave the scammer your name, be wary of what they may do with your information. Identity Theft protection companies can monitor personal information like your home title, Social Security number, phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.
Do you ever get junk texts or scams like this on your phone? How do you reduce the number of spam texts? Let us know by writing us at CyberGuy.com/Contact
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