If you own a cell phone, you could become a victim of smishing, a variation on prevalent phishing scams that seek to gain your personal information.
Smishing schemers often pose as financial institutions or lottery sweepstakes asking customers to contact them immediately about a pressing issue that needs to be discussed.
Victims of smishing scams report that they receive text messages claiming that their bank accounts are frozen or that there is another account issue that needs attention. They are instructed to call a toll-free number and provide information such as their account numbers and passwords to a phony automated system.
The sweepstakes smishing scam, on the other hand, begins with text messages such as “Win cash now!” and “Short on cash? Reply here!” Many of these messages come with embedded links that can spread viruses to your phone if clicked.
The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to do the following if you suspect you have fallen victim to a smishing scam:
Never reply to the text message. Schemers prey on victims that text back and ultimately verify that the text has been sent to an active cell phone. Never click any links. Many schemers use this to spread a viral attack on your phone.
Report the text immediately. Call your financial institution if you believe you have fallen victim to a smishing scam. They can tell you for certain if the text is legitimate.
Call your cell-phone provider. Your cell phone provider should be able to block the number as well as any premium text messages.
Do your research. If you believe you have fallen victim to a smishing lottery sweepstakes scam, contact the BBB directly to confirm the legitimacy of the text message and to file a complaint against the business responsible.
Contact the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC works to legally prevent fraudulent business practices in the marketplace. File a complaint with the FTC by calling 1-877-HELP.
Start With Trust. For more advice from BBB on identity scams, visit wynco.bbb.org or call 970-484-1348 or 800-564-0371.
About the BBB
The Better Business Bureau, founded in 1912, is a champion for ethics and trust in the marketplace. Only businesses that meet the high BBB standards are invited to become BBB Accredited Businesses. Today, 123 BBBs across the United States and Canada rate more than 4 million local and national businesses and charities with scores ranging from A+ to F. Only a BBB Accredited Business may elect to participate in BBBOnLine, one of the most trusted and recognized Internet seal programs in the world.
The BBB serving northern Colorado and Wyoming topped 1.1 million instances of service to consumers and businesses in the last 12 months. These services include reliability reports on local companies and charities, access to companies that can be trusted by industry, help with dispute resolution, and trustworthy information on consumer and business topics.
Luanne Kadlub, BBB media relations manager, 970-488-2044 lkadlub@wynco.bbb.org