Table of Contents
Can you get scammed by opening a text message?
Scam artists know this and sometimes target consumers with “phishing” scams via text message or SMS (short message service). Text message or SMS phishing—also called “smishing”—occurs when scam artists use deceptive text messages to lure consumers into providing their personal or financial information.
What happens if you open a text from a scammer?
Clicking on a phishing link or opening an attachment in one of these messages may install malware, like viruses, spyware or ransomware, on your device. This is all done behind the scenes, so it is undetectable to the average user.
Why am I receiving texts about packages?
They’re scams, officials say. ABC7 reports that people have been receiving texts that address them by names and claim they have missing package. The users are pushed to click a link, which is a scam. According to the Federal Trace Commission, though the scammers may know the victim’s name, it’s a scam.
How do I get rid of scamming text messages?
If you get an unwanted text message, there are three ways to report it:
- Report it on the messaging app you use. Look for the option to report junk or spam. How to report spam or junk in the Messages app.
- Copy the message and forward it to 7726 (SPAM).
- Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Where do spam texts come from?
Usually, spam texts are not coming from another phone. They mainly originate from a computer and are sent to your phone via an email address or instant messaging account. Because they are sent online, they are cheap and easy for scammers to send.
Why do I get spam texts?
Why do I keep getting dirty texts from random numbers?
Block Persistent Number and Report as Spam After some time, check if the numbers are identifiable. If you notice that a couple of numbers are repeatedly sending you dirty texts, you just have to block them by touching and holding the message, then select something like “Block Sender” “Block” or “Block Number”.
What happens if you click on a phishing link on IPhone?
If you opened a phishing email and clicked on a link or downloaded an attachment: If you downloaded an attachment, immediately delete it from your phone. If you clicked on a link that redirected you to another website, close the website.
Why am I all of a sudden getting spam texts?
Why am I getting spam text messages? There are many ways spammers get hold of your cell phone number so they can send SMS spam and sales texts: They may use technology to generate numbers automatically — so even if you have a brand-new number, you can still receive both robocalls and robotexts.