Have you received a suspicious message that looks genuine, but there’s something fishy about it? It might be a smishing scam. This cybersecurity attack uses fake text messages to trick unsuspecting users into clicking on malicious links and sharing sensitive information or downloading malicious software – but you can know the signs.
The message is from a strange phone number
Smishing text messages can appear to come from a variety of legitimate sources to convince users to reveal their personal information. However, one sign of a smishing attack is that the sender often uses a regular 10-digit contact number.
Businesses rarely use normal contact numbers to send you messages. You’ll be contacted by phone or text using a unique and recognizable short code. If you receive a message from an unknown contact number, avoid replying or clicking on any links.
The text contains a suspicious link
Another easy way to identify smishing text is to check if the message includes a link. While the sender may pose as a legitimate business, you may find that the link does not match the company’s official website.
Scammers may use shortened URLs or use slight misspellings or extra characters to trick unsuspecting users into clicking on links included in their messages.
These links, which lead to phishing websites, may attempt to steal your login credentials or download malicious software onto your device. Given this, while it’s essential to know how to spot smishing texts, it’s equally important to learn how to spot one if you accidentally end up on a phishing website.
You’ve noticed spelling or grammatical errors in the message
I admit smishing scams were easier to spot in the past, when scammers had to rely on their own skills to write messages. These texts often included obvious spelling and grammatical errors, making them easy to spot and, of course, easy to ignore.
Now, however, thanks to what you can do with ChatGPT and other AI tools, it’s easy to craft a relatively polished message. Still, mistakes can still happen. If you see any unusual phrasing or strange wording, ignore the message, and consider it a red flag. It goes without saying that if the message includes spelling or grammar errors, it’s almost certainly not from a real business, and you should skip it.
The text requires you to call another number
Scammers may ask you to call a number by claiming that they can’t deliver a package to your home, that you won a gift, or that you owe someone money. If the message you receive includes a phone number that you’re asked to call, you should exercise caution and do some more research before responding.
For example, if the message states that you have missed a delivery, check your online accounts to confirm any missed packages. You can also call the company directly to verify the details in the message before calling the number provided.
The message does not address you by name
Scammers rarely target people individually. Instead, they often send general messages to as many people as possible. So, if you receive a suspicious message that does not address you by name or provide any specific information about you, it is best to ignore the message.
The message demands immediate attention
One sign of scammerry is that it demands your attention. Often, these messages include language that creates a sense of panic.
For example, a scammer might claim that your bank account has been suspended and that you should visit the bank’s official website (using the link provided in the message) to immediately reset your account or credentials. This is a common tactic used to trick unsuspecting victims into acting impulsively.
Cybersecurity attacks are on the rise. So, be sure to at least familiarize yourself with the more common smishing and phishing scams so you can stay safe.