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Phishing scams using text messages – Montgomery Sheriff’s Office declares that SMS Phishing scams are targeting the community.

1- What Are Phishing Scams Using Text Messages?

Phishing scams using text messages are called Smishing, or SMS phishing which is a sort of phishing or social engineering attack using text message fraud to try to manipulate targets into handing over sensitive data or installing malware. Like phishing attacks, cybercriminals use smishing to steal money or other sensitive data, by mimicking as a legal entity or real person using a text message instead of emails.

2- How Did Phishing Scams Using Text Messages Occur?

The cybercriminals were very persuasive, and they were very successful at targeting characters from all age groups.

According to dayton247now.com,  in this case, the examples of smishing attacks include text messages that state that someone has stolen the target’s PayPal account and actively attempting to take money out of the target’s PayPal balance. This person is then directed to call the number given where they are further instructed to advance to a drug store to purchase gift cards and render those card numbers to the cybercriminals.

Moreover, in one other example, targets get a text message which includes a link to a skillfully created website that looks like a real PayPal website. Montgomery Sheriff’s Office warns inhabitants that they should never click on the link or call the given phone number if they take the before-mentioned text messages; instead, they must talk PayPal straight.

3- How To Defend Against Phishing Scams Using Text Messages

• It would be best if you considered critical security alarms and urgent or obligatory actions, offers, or deals as a signal of an SMS Phishing attempt or phishing scams using text messages
• No genuine financial institution or a legal organization will send you a text message urging you to update your account details or verify your bank details over the phone.
• If you get a message that seems to be from your bank or a merchant you do business with, and it asks you to click on something in the message, it’s a fraud.
• Contact your bank or organization you work with immediately if you are in doubt of phishing scams using text messages.
• Do not click on a link in a text message or call the phone number in a message you do not know.
• Don’t save your sensitive data like your credit card information on your phone; criminals may have this information, even after you delete them from your phone.
• Have cyber security awareness training and learn how to stop SMS phishing attacks.
• If you have employees, use the best anti-phishing tools to prevent phishing scams using text messages.

“This post is originally published at www.keepnetlabs.com”