According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), consumers reported losing a record $12.5 billion dollars to scams and fraud in 2024. This represents a 25% increase compared to 2023. In recent years, the percentage of people losing money to scams has increased significantly. Advances in technology, increased device use, and the anonymity of the internet have given scammers more power than ever to deceive unsuspecting individuals – including people just like you.
If you own a cellular device you may have received a strange text from an unknown number at one time. These texts claim to be some company or institution insisting that the receiver owes money. According to the Federal Communications Committee (FCC), these scams are referred to as “smishing” scams. This name comes from combining SMS (Short Message Service, aka text messages) and phishing (a similar scam done primarily through email).
Most smishing scams are intended to trick the receivers into giving money or personal information. If you receive one of these scam messages, it’s important that you report it. The EZPass Service Center (a recent victim of a smishing scam, see image) also advises that they will “never text or email you asking for payment or personal information.”
There are many ways to identify messages that are scams. A key giveaway is hidden within the message itself. Look out for spelling or grammar errors, words that are obviously spelled wrong, odd capitalizations, and no or overused spacing.
Another sign that these messages are scams is what they’re trying to get you to do – pay a bill you didn't know you had, provide personal information, or click a website link. NEVER click a website link if you are not absolutely positive it’s legitimate. We often hear this warning about emails, but this pertains to text messages on our cellular devices as well!
First off, scammers are smart so stick to the primary rule of never clicking a website link if you are not absolutely positive it’s legitimate. Look carefully at the link you are given.
Take the example shown in the image below, see how the website address starts out looking legitimate: https://ezpass.com, BUT the end of it looks extremely suspect: -qhtn.zin/pay. If you're just scanning a message, you may make the mistake of thinking this link is real because the beginning looks ok, but always look at an entire link's address.
Most legitimate companies have links that are the business’ name, and are simple. If the link shared, or even part of it, has a strange website address, or doesn’t seem connected to the enterprise that the scammers are attempting to impersonate, it’s a scam.
Lastly, if you are at all suspicious, reach out to the enterprise represented in the message directly, and separately from the text you have received. Often organizations find out pretty quickly if there’s a smishing scam going on falsely representing them, and put out notices on their website or social media, so you can check there. Contact their customer service directly to inquire about your account or whatever the message was regarding to verify if it’s legitimate or a scam.
Just by clicking on a suspicious link you can allow malicious software to corrupt your device. This can cause a variety of serious problems, including breaches in personal data, access to your financial information, and malware downloading to your device.
Navigating this technological age is difficult. But it is up to you to prepare and protect yourself from harmful scams. Never give out personal information or any money, unless you are absolutely certain you are talking to the right person and organization. Finally, don’t hesitate to report anything suspicious you receive via text message!
To report a smishing message (SMS phishing) on your phone, forward the message to the short code 7726. This action will report the scam number to your mobile carrier, which helps them investigate and potentially block the scam.
You can also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Provide as much detail as possible about the message, including the sender's number, the message content, and any links or attachments.
You can report scams involving financial loss or identity theft, additionally you can report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center: https://www.ic3.gov/
Home Security Managed/IT Services Finance Telephone Provider
Jillian Welsh is a high school senior who is planning on studying journalism in college.
