If you have a cell phone, you undoubtedly text individuals you know hundreds of times every day. Have you ever received a text message from someone you don’t recognize? It might be a con artist attempting to steal your data. Learn how to report unsolicited text messages and what you can do about them. Let’s learn about ‘Spam Text Messages’.
Spam Text Messages
Phishing and Spam Text Messages:
Scammers send bogus text messages to get your personal information, such as your passwords, bank details, or Social Security number. They may acquire access to your email, bank account, or other accounts if they obtain such information. Your information might potentially be sold to other con artists.
Scammers try to entice you with a range of ever-changing lies.
They might say:
- Gifts, gift cards, or vouchers are promised
- Provide you a low-interest or no-interest credit card
- Guarantee to assist you in repaying your student debt
- Scammers may also send fake messages alleging to also have the details regarding your account or transactions. Scammers may claim that they’ve spotted unusual activity on your account.
- They may pretend that there is an issue with your payment information, give you a bogus invoice, and instruct you to contact them if the transaction was not authorized.
- Provide you with a falsified delivery notice
- The communications may collect personal information like how much money you can make, how often money you owe, or your bank account or credit card number in order to obtain your gift or follow the offer or Social Security number.
- They may also direct you to a web page where you may learn more about the problem. Some links may lead to a fraudulent website that appears to be legitimate but isn’t. Scammers can obtain your user name and password if you log in.
- Malicious software may be included in other emails, stealing your private information without your awareness.
What Should You Do When You Get Spam Text Messages?
Do not engage on any links in an unexpected SMS message that asks you to disclose personal information. Legitimate businesses will not text you demanding account details. If you feel the message is real, contact the company via a mobile number or site that you trust. You may filter undesirable text messages or block them from reaching you in a variety of ways.
On your mobile device:
It’s possible that your phone has a function that lets you filter and block messages from unfamiliar sources or spammers. On an iPhone, you can filter and block texts, while on an Android phone, you can ban a phone number.
Using your wireless service provider:
You may be able to block calls and text messages using a tool or service provided by your wireless operator. To discover more about the possibilities available from various carriers, go to ctia.org, a website dedicated to the wireless business.
With a call-blocking app, you may do the following:
You can also block unsolicited text messages with some call-blocking programs. For a list of call-blocking apps for Android, BlackBerry, Apple, and Windows phones, go to ctia.org.
Do’s and Don’ts on how to stop spam text messages:
1) If you receive a spam text message, don’t respond right away:
Directly responding to a spam text message sent by the spammer notifies the fraudster that your mobile number is valid. They may sell your mobile number to the other spammers who may call you with offers of free gifts or discounts on products.
2) Treat your personal information as though it were money:
Spam SMS messages may encourage you to provide personal information including your wages, bank loans, Social Security card, and credit card details. Most law firms do not send text messages demanding personal information like passwords, account details, or other sensitive data. If you’re still not sure, look for the industry’s mobile number and call them to verify the request.
3) Don’t click on any of the text message’s links:
If you open a link in a spam text message, malware that collects data may be installed on your device. that collects data. It may lead you to fake websites that look to be real but are designed to steal your personal data. Malware might possibly slow down your phone’s performance by consuming memory. After the spammer obtains your information, it may be sold to marketers or, worse, identity thieves.
4) examine your phone bill frequently:
It’s a good idea to verify your phone statement for accuracy on a regular basis. Contact your phone carrier to determine whether you’re receiving or sending spam messages from your phone, regardless of whether you notice any postings that don’t appear to be correct.
How to report spam text messages?
Unwanted spam communications can be reported in the following ways:
There are three options for reporting an unsolicited SMS message:
Use your messaging app to report it. Look for a way to report junk mail or spam.
How could you report spam or trash in the Messages app?
- On an Android phone, how do you report spam?
- Copy the message and send it to +44 7726 7726 7726 7726 7726 7726 (SPAM).
- You can report it to the Federal Trade Commission act ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Conclusion:
The above methods can save you from fraudulent text messages. You should be concerned about spam texts because these SMS put you at risk of identity theft and increase the odds of you unwittingly downloading malware on your phone.
