5 Tips to Guard Against Smishing Attacks on Your Phone
Smishing, or SMS phishing, is a fast-growing type of mobile fraud that uses text messages to try and scam you out of your personal information. Criminals send phony texts purporting to be from a legitimate source, like your bank or credit card company, to get you to reveal confidential information like your account number or password.
Here are five tips to help you guard against smishing attacks:
1. VISIT THE ORGANIZATION’S WEBSITE DIRECTLY
If you receive a text message that looks like it’s from your bank, for example, don’t click on any links in the message. Instead, go to your bank’s website directly and log in to your account from there. That way, you can be sure you’re not being redirected to a fake website designed to steal your information.
2. NEVER GIVE OUT SENSITIVE PERSONAL INFORMATION VIA TEXT MESSAGE
The best way to avoid being scammed by a text message is not to give out any sensitive personal information via text. This includes your account number, password, Social Security number, or date of birth.
If you receive a text message that asks for this type of information, don’t reply and don’t click on any links in the message. Report the text to your cell phone carrier or anti-fraud organization immediately.
3. NEVER CLICK ON UNKNOWN LINKS
The best way to avoid being scammed by a text message is not to give out any sensitive personal information via text. This includes your account number, password, Social Security number, or date of birth.
If you receive a text message that asks for this type of information, don’t reply and don’t click on any links in the message. Report the text to your cell phone carrier or anti-fraud organization immediately.
4. CALL THE ORGANIZATION ON THEIR OFFICIAL PHONE NUMBER
If you’re still not sure whether or not a text message is legitimate, one way to check is to call the organization that supposedly sent it on their official phone number.
For example, if you receive a text that looks like it’s from your bank, you can find their customer service number on their website and give them a call to verify the message.
5. KEEP YOUR DEVICES PROTECTED
Ensure your devices are protected with strong passwords and up-to-date security software to help guard against smishing attacks and other types of mobile fraud.
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