Please be vigilant in how and where you share your personal information. There are nefarious actors at work on the web and they will do their best to try and trick you into getting access to your money and more personal information.
The current wave of smishing is concerning. There are systems out there that focus on finding a name associated with an organization and a mobile phone so that they can text you to try to fool you into revealing more information that will compromise your secure services (banking, amazon, netflix, insurance, etc.).
If they can find the name of a co-worker or some other person associated with you they will use that name to make their attack seem like a request from a friend or colleague … or even a boss.
Like anything else that seems a bit “off” just delete and move on. Don’t give it second thought … definitely don’t click or respond to anything that gives you pause.
Below is some helpful information pulled from a web page hosted by Norton, a leading cyber security services firm:
Smishing attack warning signs
Use these smishing attack warning signs to know whether a smishing text made its way onto your mobile device.
Suspicious phone numbers
Smishing texts may come from phone numbers that don’t look normal at first glance. They may stray from the typical 10-digit layout or a series of the same number. If you see this type of number accompanied by a suspicious-looking message, don’t respond and delete the text immediately.
Smishing protection tip: Never respond to suspicious text messages.
Links and files from unknown numbers
Smishing texts are almost always paired with links to fake websites capable of recording your sensitive information. That’s why if you come across one, never click it. And in the event you do click one, look out for signs of an unsafe site, such as no “http” in the URL or small differences that you’re not used to seeing.
Smishing protection tip: Avoid clicking on suspicious links and files.
Urgent requests
Most phishing emails and text messages feature urgent requests to frighten the receiver. But any legitimate company will give their customers ample notice about pressing issues. Delete these messages, and if you’re still concerned after the fact, contact the company directly.
Smishing protection tip: Never cooperate with urgent requests sent via text.
Money requests
Like urgent requests, you should delete text messages asking you to wire or transfer money over the internet. The likelihood that these are hackers disguised to try and steal your funds is extremely high.
Smishing protection tip: Never comply with urgent requests for money via text.
Prize notifications
The thought of winning a prize is exciting to anyone, but the chances of winning a sweepstakes you haven’t entered is incredibly low. If you receive messages about prizes you won from an unfamiliar contest, avoid clicking on any links attached and delete the text.
Smishing protection tip: Avoid clicking on suspicious links and files.
(taken from https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-emerging-threats-smishing.html# on 8/12/2022)
