In 2022, text scammers stole about $9 billion from victims in the US. They use “smishing” tricks to get people to click on phishing links. They might send fake messages about unpaid bills or failed deliveries, asking you to reply with “Y” or “N”.
Once you reply, you risk losing your credit card or bank account info. This is a big risk.
Scammers might ask for a small fee on fake websites. This can lead to huge financial losses, like maxed-out credit cards. Even Apple’s Messages app can’t always stop these scams, as scammers can find ways around it once you reply.
Understanding the Latest Phishing Tactics Employed by Text Scammers
Phishing attacks have been on the rise, targeting iPhone users more than ever. Scammers send fake delivery messages that look like they’re from the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). They also pretend to be from companies like DHL and FedEx, mainly in India.
One sneaky tactic uses Apple’s iMessage to trick users. It tells them to reply “Y” and then open the link again. This makes the sender seem trusted, turning off the phishing protection. It shows how clever these scams can be.
Cybersecurity experts, like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), warn about the dangers. These scams can lead to financial loss by asking for credit card details. Also, messages from unknown numbers, often with strange country codes, are usually scams.
It’s important to know about phishing and stay safe online. Being informed helps us avoid falling into these traps. As scams get smarter, we need to keep learning and staying alert.
PSA: Text scammers resorting to new tactics to get you to enable phishing links
In 2022, scammers stole about $9 billion from victims in the United States. They use phishing and smishing scams to do this. It’s important to know their new tricks to stay safe.
The Messages app on Apple devices blocks links from unknown senders by default. But scammers found a way around this. They ask users to reply with “Y” or “N” to messages about unpaid bills or failed deliveries. This trick makes users enable links without knowing it.
Once a reply is sent, the app lets these links work. Scammers then send victims to fake websites. These scams are getting smarter, and they can cause big problems fast.
Victims might lose money quickly, like in minutes or hours. It’s key to be careful with texts and know that simple actions can lead to big losses.
The first step in fighting fraud is to know about it. Talk to your friends and family about these dangers. This way, you can help keep everyone safe from scams.
How to Protect Yourself from These New Phishing Techniques
Text scams are getting smarter, making it more important to keep your info safe. Knowing how these scams work and following cyber safety tips can help a lot. This section will show you how to stay safe from these threats.
Always check if messages are real. Real companies won’t ask for your passwords or Credit Card numbers by text. If a message seems urgent or has a link, don’t click without checking it first. Legit URLs should look right.
Google has been working hard to spot and stop bad apps. This shows how important it is to stay alert and informed.
Using more than one way to protect yourself from phishing is a good idea. Make sure your devices are updated and use strong, different passwords for each account. Google’s 2025 Android security updates fixed 36 problems, including serious bugs.
Also, use the security tools your phone and service provider offer. Many phones have built-in spam filters. The Cyber Trust Mark Initiative, with companies like Amazon and Google, helps find secure devices. These steps are key in today’s online world, where being careful can prevent big problems.
