You know things are getting out of hand when you get a text from “yourself” asking if you want to make $5,000 a week… by doing nothing.
In this publication, we're shedding light on a fast-growing scam that’s hitting Americans in the palm of their hands—literally. If you use a phone (and who doesn’t?), you’ll want to read this.
Text message fraud is exploding. In 2024 alone, Americans have already lost over $163 million through fake texts offering jobs, alerting you to package issues, or pretending to be your bank. With nearly 90,000 reports, this scam is now among the most prevalent and costly forms of fraud.
How It Works:
Text scams (or smishing) usually follow this pattern:
- You receive a text message from what looks like your bank, a job recruiter, a shipping company, or even a toll collection agency.
- The message urges you to click a link, verify an account, or call a number.
- Once you act, the scammers steal your login credentials, personal info, or even trick you into sending money or gift cards.
Some texts even claim there’s fraud on your account—but that’s the scam itself.
Who’s Targeted:
Everyone with a phone is a target. But scammers especially go after:
- Job seekers
- Online shoppers
- Elderly users
- People unfamiliar with phishing or AI-generated content
Real-Life Warning:
“We’re all being bombarded with these things every day,” says Quinnipiac University cybersecurity expert Frederick Scholl. AI-generated messages now make scams harder to detect, says Dr. Tirthankar Ghosh of the University of New Haven. Even tech-savvy users are falling victim.
And the impact? The average victim loses $1,053 per incident.
Why You Should Care:
Text scams aren’t just annoying—they’re expensive and deeply invasive. Clicking the wrong link can:
- Drain your bank account
- Give scammers access to your identity
- Lead to more targeted scams
- Leave you feeling violated and anxious
Scammers evolve fast. That “tracking number” for your Amazon package might be fake. That toll fine you never remembered? Also fake.
Actionable Steps:
• Never click links in unsolicited texts—especially from numbers you don’t know.
• Block and report suspicious texts. Your phone carrier likely has an option to forward spam (like AT&T’s 7726 service).
• Use your bank’s official app or website, never a link from a message.
• Search job offers independently, and don’t trust jobs that require payment up front.
• Pause and verify: Call the company directly using their official contact—not the number in the message.
Quick Tips & Updates:
• Did you know? Scammers now use AI to create more convincing messages, even mimicking your contacts’ writing style.
• Pro Tip: Add two-factor authentication to your accounts. Even if scammers get your password, they can’t log in without your code.
Stay safe, stay informed.
Key Definitions:
- Smishing: SMS phishing, or scams delivered through text messages.
- Phishing: A method of tricking individuals into revealing sensitive information.
- AI-Generated Scams: Messages or calls crafted using artificial intelligence to appear more convincing.
- Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): An extra layer of security that requires a second code (usually from your phone) when logging in.
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