Remember that time you got a text from an unknown number that made your heart skip a beat? Maybe it promised you a fortune or tried to scare you into doing something you weren’t sure about.
That my friend was probably a smishing attempt.
What in the World is Smishing?
Smishing or text message phishing is basically like regular phishing but it uses SMS messages instead of emails.
Imagine it like a wolf in sheep’s clothing – a scammer pretending to be a trusted source like your bank or a company you use to trick you into giving up your personal or financial details.
They’ll try to lure you in with a sense of urgency fear or even excitement hoping you’ll drop your guard and click a malicious link download harmful software or even reply with sensitive information.
And the worst part? It’s becoming increasingly common.
The Smishing Numbers are Growing
In 2022 alone an estimated 2.6 billion scam SMS messages were sent out every week.
Proofpoint a cybersecurity giant reported a whopping 328% increase in smishing attacks in 2020. That number has since skyrocketed to a staggering 700% increase in 2022.
Think about it: more than 3.5 billion people around the world are bombarded with spam texts daily and a shockingly low number of people (less than 35%) can actually recognize a smishing attack when they see one.
That’s why I’m sharing my smishing survival guide with you today – to empower you to stay safe in this digital jungle.
Unmasking the Smishing Blueprint
Smishing attacks come in all shapes and sizes but there’s a common thread that runs through them all: they aim to gain your trust make you share sensitive information and then use that information against you.
Here’s how it usually goes:
- The Bait: They start by sending you a text message that seems genuine often from a familiar source or posing as a trusted entity.
- The Hook: They then use a mix of fear excitement or urgency to get you to click on a link or open a file.
- The Reel: Once you’re hooked they lead you to a fake website or download a malicious program designed to steal your data.
Popular Smishing Schemes: A Real-World Look
These smishing scams are all too common so let’s dive into some specific examples.
1. Money Matters: The Bank Impersonation
This is a classic smishing tactic.
Scammers will pose as your bank sending you an urgent text about suspicious activity or a compromised account.
They’ll try to panic you into clicking a link to “fix” the problem which will actually lead you to a fake website designed to steal your login credentials.
Pro Tip: Your bank will never send you a link to fix your account or ask for your personal details over SMS. They’ll always direct you to log in to your account call customer service or visit a branch in person.
2. Jackpot Dreams: The Winning Lottery Scam
You’ve probably heard about this one: you get a text claiming you’ve won a huge sum of money in a lottery even though you don’t remember entering one! These scams will try to get you to click a link or send your details to claim your supposed prize.
Pro Tip: Legitimate contests or giveaways will contact you through official channels like email or phone. They might even send you a letter but they will never ask you to click a link or send sensitive information through a text message.
3. Password Panic: The Account Compromise Scam
These scammers will impersonate well-known tech companies like Google Microsoft or Apple.
They’ll tell you that your password has been compromised and you need to reset it immediately.
Clicking the provided link will lead you to a fake login page where they’ll steal your login credentials.
Pro Tip: Any reputable tech company will always direct you to log in to your account to change your password or access information. They will never send you a link in a text message.
4. Delivery Deception: The Fake Package Scam
Smishing scammers will pretend to be from e-commerce platforms like Amazon or other delivery services.
They’ll send you a text saying your package is on the way and you should follow the link for updates.
Pro Tip: Real delivery companies always link back to their official website. If the link takes you to a different website that’s a red flag. Watch out for spelling mistakes in the URL and double-check the company’s website to confirm the authenticity of the message.
5. Confirmation Confusion: The Fake Request Scam
These scammers will send you a text confirming a purchase appointment or invoice but the details will be wrong.
They’ll try to lure you to a fake website to update your information where they’ll steal your personal or financial details.
Pro Tip: Never click on links in these types of texts. If you have any doubts contact the service provider directly through their official channels to verify the information.
Smishing: A Game of Numbers
Smishing is a numbers game.
Scammers blast out SMS messages to hundreds if not thousands of random numbers hoping to snag a few unsuspecting victims.
They may even follow up with a phone call to increase their chances of success.
Remember the goal is to identify the most vulnerable targets and those who respond or click on those links become prime candidates for further exploitation.
It’s Not Just About Clicking: The Dangers of Texting Back
You might think that simply opening a smishing text message won’t hurt but that’s not necessarily true.
These messages could be a gateway to more sophisticated attacks like SIM swap scams.
A SIM swap attack happens when a scammer tricks a mobile carrier into transferring your SIM card to a new device under their control.
Once they have your SIM card they can access all your accounts linked to your phone number including banking apps and social media accounts.
Here’s the bottom line: Don’t click on any links or open any files in suspicious text messages. And most importantly never reply to them.
Arming Yourself Against Smishing:
Now that you know the dangers of smishing let’s talk about how to protect yourself:
1. Stay Silent: The Power of Ignoring
It’s frustrating to get spam messages but it’s crucial to stay silent.
Responding to a smishing attempt can actually alert the scammers to the fact that you’re a real person which can make you a target for further attacks.
2. Protect Your Personal Information: The Wall Against Data Theft
Smishing attacks often target your credit card details and banking information so be extra cautious.
Never share your personal information through text messages even if the message seems legitimate.
3. Don’t Click Don’t Download: The Digital Fortress
Those tempting links and files are like digital traps.
They might take you to fake websites or download malicious software onto your device.
Be cautious of anything that looks suspicious.
4. Watch the Number: The Phone Number Checkup
Pay close attention to the sender’s phone number.
Smishing scammers often use numbers that are abnormally long or short.
If the number looks odd it’s probably a scam.
Stick to the standard 10-digit phone numbers.
5. Trust Your Gut: The Intuition Shield
Trust your instincts! If something feels off about a text message it probably is.
Don’t hesitate to delete it immediately.
6. Two-Factor Authentication: The Extra Layer of Protection
Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring you to verify your identity with a code sent to your phone or email.
This can prevent scammers from accessing your accounts even if they manage to steal your password.
7. Antivirus Software: The Digital Guardian
Install reliable antivirus software on your device.
It can help detect and block malicious programs that could be downloaded from smishing links.
Smishing: An Ongoing Battle
Smishing isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Scammers are constantly evolving their tactics to stay ahead of the game.
But by arming yourself with knowledge and following these simple precautions you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to a smishing attack.
Remember your safety is paramount.
Be vigilant stay informed and don’t hesitate to report any suspicious messages to the authorities.
Smishing vs. Phishing: What’s the Difference?
You might be wondering about the difference between smishing and phishing.
Both are cybercrimes involving fraudulent messages sent to extract confidential information but they differ in the delivery method.
- Phishing uses email sending malicious links or attachments to lure unsuspecting recipients into giving up personal or financial information.
- Smishing uses SMS messages to deliver the same type of scams leveraging the trust we often have in text messages over emails.
Why Smishing is on the Rise
Scammers are increasingly turning to smishing because it’s often easier to trick people into clicking links or providing information via text message compared to emails.
Many people trust text messages from unknown numbers more than emails making them more vulnerable to smishing attacks.
Don’t Let Smishing Steal Your Peace of Mind
Staying vigilant and informed is the best defense against smishing.
Don’t let these scammers steal your peace of mind or your hard-earned money.
Remember your security is a shared responsibility.
Spread the word about smishing and help your loved ones stay safe in the digital world.