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Reading time Reading time: 7 mins
Reading time 13 March 2023

Protect Yourself: How To Avoid Falling Victim To Phone Text Scams

Phone text notification scams are becoming increasingly commonplace in today's digital world. As technology evolves and criminals become more sophisticated, it is important that people become more aware of the dangers that come with these types of scams.

Phone notifications often contain malicious links or attachments which can lead to identity theft, loss of funds and other unwanted outcomes. It is essential to be vigilant and alert to the possibility of a notification scam in order to protect yourself and your finances.

Common types of phone text notification scams

It's important to never give out your personal or account information to unsolicited callers or in response to unsolicited text messages, as it could lead to identity theft or other fraudulent activities.

The most common types of phone text notification scams include phishing, smishing and spoofing.

Phishing scams involve criminals sending messages with malicious links encouraging the recipient to click on the link in order to steal personal information or money.

Smishing scams are similar but use SMS (text) messages instead of emails.

Spoofing occurs when criminals send messages from a fake number that appears legitimate in order to deceive people into providing sensitive information.

The number of scams that can be done via texts is MASSIVE.

If you receive a text message that seems too good to be true, it's possible that it's a text message scam attempting to trick you into giving away personal information or money.

Royal Mail- Messages claiming to be from Royal Mail about a missed delivery and asking for payment to reschedule.

Apple Pay - The message will say that there's been a problem with your Apple ID account and that you need to update your payment information.

HMRC - Messages claiming to be from HMRC about a tax refund and requesting bank account information.

Banks - Messages claiming to be from a bank and asking for personal information or providing a link to a fake website.

Amazon Prime - Messages claiming to be from Amazon about an order and asking for personal information or providing a link to a fake website.

To help prevent spam text messages and protect yourself from potential scams, it's important to report spam text messages to your mobile carrier or to the Action Fraud..

PayPal- Messages claiming to be from PayPal about a payment or refund and asking for personal information or providing a link to a fake website.

Grandparent scam - you may receive information by phone or text message that your grandchild is in danger and you need to transfer a certain amount of money to an account.

Evri - Reports are coming in from people receiving emails purporting to be from EVRI, asking them to rearrange delivery and pay a small fee for shipping.

Social media - Messages claiming to be from a social media platform and asking for personal information or providing a link to a fake website. The most popular reasons for contact are investment, romance and online shopping.

Lottery scams - Messages claiming that you have won a lottery and asking for personal information or payment to claim the prize.

These are just a few examples. The problem is that you can receive these types of messages from virtually any company, and scammers can impersonate virtually any institution or person.

The most important thing is to know that such a precedent exists. Always treat any such potential message that you are not expecting as spam.

Warning signs of phone text notification scams

If you continue to receive harassing phone calls from a particular phone number, it may be necessary to block the number or report it to your phone carrier.

There are several red flags that can indicate a phone text notification scam.

An important one is if the message requests you to click on a link or open an attachment. It is also wise not to trust messages that come from unknown or suspicious numbers, or those that have poor grammar or spelling mistakes.

Additionally, messages from someone you know who requests financial information should always be verified before responding to them.

Phone text notification scams often contain warning signs that should not be overlooked. Common red flags include requests for personal information such as credit card numbers or bank account numbers, an urgency or pressure to act quickly, and offers that seem too good to be true.

If you receive a text message containing these types of requests, it is important to carefully consider the source before taking any action. If in doubt, do not respond or click on any links contained in the message. It is always better to err on the side of caution when dealing with potential scams. By understanding common scam tactics and being aware of warning signs, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of a phone text notification scam.

What to do to avoid getting scam text messages?

Be cautious of fake text messages that appear to be from your bank or other financial institution, as they may be phishing attempts to steal your personal information.

Here are some tips to help you avoid getting scam text messages:

- Don't click on links in unsolicited text messages -if you receive a spam text message from an unknown number, don't click on any links included in the message. These links may lead you to fake websites or download malicious software onto your device.

- Be wary of messages asking for personal or financial information - if a text message asks you to provide personal information, such as your National Insurance number, credit card details, bank details or login credentials, be suspicious. Legitimate companies and organisations usually don't request sensitive information via text message.

- Block spam numbers -most smartphones have a feature that allows you to block specific phone numbers. If you receive a spam text message from a particular number, add it to your phone's block list.

- Install anti-malware software - consider installing anti-malware software on your device to protect against phishing attacks and malware.

Receiving unsolicited text messages from unknown numbers can be annoying and potentially a security risk.

- Don't reply to spam messages - replying to spam messages can confirm to scammers that your phone number is active, and you may receive even more spam messages as a result.

- Be cautious of unexpected prizes or gifts - if you receive a text scam message informing you that you've won a prize or gift, be wary. Scammers often use these tactics to obtain personal information or trick you into paying a fee.

- Use two-factor authentication - it will add an extra layer of security to your accounts by requiring you to enter a code sent to your phone in addition to your password. This can help prevent scammers from accessing your accounts even if they have your password.

Remember, if you ever receive a text message that seems suspicious or too good to be true, err on the side of caution and don't engage with it.

Summary

never give your personal and financial information

Unwanted text messages, also known as spam texts, have become a common problem for many people. Phone text scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and convincing, making it harder for people to distinguish between legitimate messages and fraudulent ones. To protect yourself from potential scams, it's important to report scam texts to your mobile carrier or the Action Fraud. By being vigilant and cautious of suspicious messages, you can help prevent the theft of personal information or money.