How to Avoid Spam Texting Scams

It’s fair to say that if you have a cell phone, you have received countless spam calls and text messages on the daily. But are you aware of the danger that resides behind these calls and texts? In the current day and age, cellphones have become an indispensable part of our lives, making phishing an increasingly common form of scamming. Keep reading to learn more about How to Avoid Spam Texting Scams

That being said, smishing –the fraudulent practice of sending text messages purporting to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords or credit card, is extremely prevalent today. Whether we like it or not, our information is online and vulnerable to the public and potential criminals.

Our private information can be leaked through data breaches and sold into the dark web so scammers can have their fun. That information can consist of our name, passwords, email, number, etc. This is one of the many ways these criminals get our phone number amongst other private information.

So how can we keep ourselves safe from these spam texts and calls? In this article, we will discuss how to spot out spam text messages and what we can do to try to stop them.

What To Look Out For

When you receive a smishing text, it will probably consist of a message with a link that states you missed a phone payment, you are expecting to receive a package from Amazon, or you won a 100-dollar gift card to Target.

These texts are formed cautiously and with thought, these scammers are trying to lure you in by using attention grabbing notifications that need your urgent attention. Who wouldn’t want a free gift card or a package from Amazon right? This is why so many people have fallen victim to smishing.

When you receive a message like the examples I’ve given, its important to stop and think. Did you order anything from Amazon or entered in a contest to see if you would win a gift card? Did you double check to see if you missed your phone payment?

These are important questions to ask yourself before you decide to click any link. If you are ever sent a text message regarding your personal accounts, you should always give your company a call first to address the situation before believing a random text message. Here are some things you should expect if you click on a spam link:

1. Send you to a fake website that asks you to provide further information. i.e., credit card, social security number, etc.
2. It can download harmful malware that can steal all of our information from your phone and grant the suspect access to it.

How Can I Stop Spam Calls and Texts?

There are a few ways you can block and report spam calls and text messages.  You don’t have to deal with the constant harassment.

1. Block the number on your cell phone
2. Contact your service provider and see how they can help
3. There are a number of call-blocking apps you can look into

Other than blocking these spam calls and text messages you should always report them as well so there is a better chance to help stop fraud altogether.

You can make your reports to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, which is the federal governments website in which they use and share reports of fraud, scams, and bad business practices with law enforcement partners to help with investigations. Another way of reporting your suspicious text messages is to copy the text message in question and send it to 7726 (SPAM).

Additional Outcomes of Texting Scams

Smishing can also lead into other very determinantal cyber-crimes such as:

• Sextortion
• Blackmail
• Extortion
• Romance Scams

Once an online scammer has access to your personal information. It can lead you down a rabbit hole filled with other cyber-criminals. It is fairly common for suspects to sell your information to other criminals for a price.

That is when these other cyber-crimes can potentially come into play. It’s easy to fall for smishing texts when the text can be so convincing.  It’s important to be aware of what you click on, not only online but on your personal devices as well.

We hope that these tips are beneficial to you. We recommend that you keep doing research on scams and how to avoid them. Now you know How to Avoid Spam Texting Scams. If you have any further questions regarding cyber-crimes, we are available to you 24/7 to help with your needs.  In our future articles we’ll tell you more about other cyber crimes. Such as online sextortion or blackmail