New phishing scam tricks on the rise–you won’t believe what hackers do to get your information!
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In an age where our smartphones are practically extensions of ourselves, it's no surprise that scammers are getting craftier with their tactics. If you've noticed an uptick in oddly personal text messages popping up on your screen, you're not alone.
These aren't just random acts of spam; they're part of a calculated move to gain your trust and, ultimately, your personal information. Welcome to the latest chapter in the ever-evolving book of phishing scams.
The amount of spam texts in the US continues increasing every year since the pandemic. In November 2024, 19.2 billion spam texts were sent–around 63 per person.
Messages like "hey, can you meet me for a coffee?" or "can you guess who I am?" have become increasingly common, without any context given to the receiver. Tech entrepreneur Nikita Bier reveals that this is a strategy called “warming the number.”
"You cannot send bulk texts containing a URL until your number has earned credibility with phone carriers," Bier said in a viral social media post thread. "To earn credibility, it needs to have replies from other numbers."
The term might sound cozy, but there's nothing comforting about “warming the number.” This strategy is a scammer's sneaky way of building credibility with mobile carriers.
By sending seemingly innocuous texts that prompt a response, scammers are playing the long game. They're not after immediate gratification; they're after a higher “trust score” that will allow them to unleash a barrage of malicious messages later on.
Imagine receiving a text that reads, “Hey, did you leave your gloves at my place?” or “Oops, I think you dropped this at the store.”
These messages are designed to pique your interest or concern, making you more likely to reply. And every reply is a step closer to the scammer's goal: a green light to send out mass texts with dangerous links.
These links are made to phish for personal information, distribute malware, or fool recipients into financial scams.
Gone are the days of generic emails asking for your bank details. Today's phishing attempts are much more sophisticated and personalized.
Scammers use your name, reference recent purchases, or pretend to be someone you might know. It's a psychological game where familiarity breeds complacency, and that's when you're most vulnerable.
So, how do you outsmart these digital con artists? First and foremost, be skeptical of any unexpected messages, especially those that ask for a reply or personal information. According to Andrew Rayo, Consumer Education Specialist at the Federal Trade Commission, “Ask yourself: Why do they need this information? And what's going to happen to it?”
Bier also suggested using the response “STOP” to inform both the carrier and scammer’s SMS provider that the number is being used for spam. This makes the number more likely to be flagged or shut down.
Here are some additional tips to keep your personal info safe:
1. Use Spam Filters: Many phones and carriers offer built-in spam filters that can help weed out unwanted messages. Make sure yours is activated and up to date.
2. Don't Click on Suspicious Links: If a text contains a link, don't click it unless you're absolutely sure it's legitimate. When in doubt, go directly to the official website by typing the URL into your browser.
3. Report Spam: If you receive a phishing text, report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. This helps authorities track and combat these scams.
4. Verify the Sender: If a message claims to be from a company you trust, verify it by contacting the company directly through official channels.
5. Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest phishing techniques. Scammers are always innovating, so keeping up-to-date is key to staying safe.
The FBI's 2022 Internet Crime Report reported that phishing was the most common type of cybercrime, accounting for nearly half all reported incidents.
Have you received one of these personalized phishing texts? How did you handle it? Share your insights and tips in the comments below!
These aren't just random acts of spam; they're part of a calculated move to gain your trust and, ultimately, your personal information. Welcome to the latest chapter in the ever-evolving book of phishing scams.
The amount of spam texts in the US continues increasing every year since the pandemic. In November 2024, 19.2 billion spam texts were sent–around 63 per person.
Messages like "hey, can you meet me for a coffee?" or "can you guess who I am?" have become increasingly common, without any context given to the receiver. Tech entrepreneur Nikita Bier reveals that this is a strategy called “warming the number.”
"You cannot send bulk texts containing a URL until your number has earned credibility with phone carriers," Bier said in a viral social media post thread. "To earn credibility, it needs to have replies from other numbers."
The term might sound cozy, but there's nothing comforting about “warming the number.” This strategy is a scammer's sneaky way of building credibility with mobile carriers.
Spam texts have significantly increased in the U.S. since the COVID-19 pandemic, with November 2024 recording 19.2 billion spam texts. Image source: Lindsey LaMont / Unsplash.
By sending seemingly innocuous texts that prompt a response, scammers are playing the long game. They're not after immediate gratification; they're after a higher “trust score” that will allow them to unleash a barrage of malicious messages later on.
Imagine receiving a text that reads, “Hey, did you leave your gloves at my place?” or “Oops, I think you dropped this at the store.”
These messages are designed to pique your interest or concern, making you more likely to reply. And every reply is a step closer to the scammer's goal: a green light to send out mass texts with dangerous links.
These links are made to phish for personal information, distribute malware, or fool recipients into financial scams.
Gone are the days of generic emails asking for your bank details. Today's phishing attempts are much more sophisticated and personalized.
Scammers use your name, reference recent purchases, or pretend to be someone you might know. It's a psychological game where familiarity breeds complacency, and that's when you're most vulnerable.
So, how do you outsmart these digital con artists? First and foremost, be skeptical of any unexpected messages, especially those that ask for a reply or personal information. According to Andrew Rayo, Consumer Education Specialist at the Federal Trade Commission, “Ask yourself: Why do they need this information? And what's going to happen to it?”
Bier also suggested using the response “STOP” to inform both the carrier and scammer’s SMS provider that the number is being used for spam. This makes the number more likely to be flagged or shut down.
Here are some additional tips to keep your personal info safe:
1. Use Spam Filters: Many phones and carriers offer built-in spam filters that can help weed out unwanted messages. Make sure yours is activated and up to date.
2. Don't Click on Suspicious Links: If a text contains a link, don't click it unless you're absolutely sure it's legitimate. When in doubt, go directly to the official website by typing the URL into your browser.
3. Report Spam: If you receive a phishing text, report it to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. This helps authorities track and combat these scams.
4. Verify the Sender: If a message claims to be from a company you trust, verify it by contacting the company directly through official channels.
5. Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest phishing techniques. Scammers are always innovating, so keeping up-to-date is key to staying safe.
The FBI's 2022 Internet Crime Report reported that phishing was the most common type of cybercrime, accounting for nearly half all reported incidents.
Have you received one of these personalized phishing texts? How did you handle it? Share your insights and tips in the comments below!
