- Avast warns of 10 common types of SMS scams, including fake packages and OTP theft
- Red flags include urgency, suspicious links, requests for codes, and unusual spelling or branding.
- Best Defense: Ignore Messages or Forward Spam to 7726 (SPAM) for Carrier Blocking
With Christmas behind us and the New Year just around the corner, we’re in peak scam season: cybercriminals are all out and doing their best to take your money. With this in mind, security company Avast has shared its advice on how to best defend against text message scams.
Similar to phishing, text message scams attempt to trick you into clicking a link or downloading and executing a malicious attachment. What makes them a little more dangerous is that mobile platforms are arguably less defended than desktop and laptop computers.
For Avast, there are 10 types of scams that people should keep in mind these days:
Fake undelivered packages
One-time password (OTP) or code theft
Tax refunds or fines
False refunds
Identity theft by a family member or friend
Offers, prices or surveys
Job offers and side missions (such as mystery shopping or brand recruitment)
Crypto and investment opportunities
Callback and support scams
Fake account alerts (banks, crypto, email, social networks)
How to stay safe
All of these themes have a few things in common, Avast notes. The most obvious red flag is the sense of urgency that is obligatory in all of them. Things like “final notice,” “urgent resolution,” or urging recipients to “act today” to avoid having their “account locked.” This always arouses suspicion.
Many of these SMS messages also contain unexpected links or shortened URLs. Links from services such as bit.ly or tinyurl may seem harmless, “but they are one of the main entry points for criminals,” the researchers said.
Then there are requests for codes, PINs, or payments, which are always suspicious, since no real business will ever ask its customers to share their login credentials or other secrets.
Finally, unusual spelling or brand name, or pressure to change communication channels, are all common scam tactics.
The best way to defend yourself against this type of scam is to simply ignore it. Those who want to be a little more proactive can forward all spam to 7726 (SPAM), helping their wireless service provider spot and block similar messages.
Via Avast
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