WARNING: Delete this text NOW–police urge immediate action!
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Attention, vigilant GrayViners! A new wave of digital deception is sweeping through our text messages, and it's time to sharpen our scam-spotting skills.
Law enforcement officials are sounding the alarm on a particularly insidious scam targeting phone users, and they're urging us to act swiftly to protect our personal information.
Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using tactics that can easily trick even the most cautious among us. So, what should you watch out for?
The Sheriff's Office in Hampden County, Massachusetts, has issued a stark warning to iPhone users.
If you receive a text message claiming that an “investigation is being finalized” against you, urging you to call back immediately to avoid “further legal action,” hit delete and report it posthaste. These messages are not just unsettling—they're a trap.
Scammers provide fake case numbers, phone numbers, and even links that tempt you to “listen to a voicemail.” But beware, clicking these links could unleash malware on your device, giving cybercriminals a backdoor to your personal data.
“These scammers want to scare people into acting before thinking,” Sheriff Cocchi said.
Sheriff Cocchi has a message for all, saying “These scammers want to scare people into acting before thinking.”
And he's right. The texts may look official, perhaps even spoofed to appear as if they're from a legitimate agency, but don't be fooled.
Real law enforcement will never reach out via text, call, or email to demand money, resolve a warrant, or conduct official business in such a manner.
“If you receive a message like this, do not engage — delete it and report it.”
You might be interested: This "IRS $1,400 rebate" text could be a trap—here’s how to spot and avoid the latest scam!
These scammers are employing a tactic known as “smishing,” a blend of SMS (Short Message Service) and “phishing,” designed to steal your passwords, credit card information, or other sensitive details.
They play on fear and urgency, claiming you've missed court appearances, jury duty, or that you must follow certain instructions to avoid arrest.
One recent example is the E-Z Pass smishing texts, which falsely claim you owe an outstanding toll and must pay by a certain date to avoid additional fees or legal action.
The text messages said, “Final Reminder: You owe an outstanding toll. Pay by March 31 to avoid additional fees or legal action.”
This isn't an isolated incident. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a nationwide warning after the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received over 2,000 complaints about smishing texts masquerading as road toll collection services from multiple states.
The FBI's advice is clear: report these messages to IC3, check your accounts through the legitimate toll servicer's website, and delete the text without delay.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) echoes this sentiment, warning that clicking on links in these messages could lead to identity theft.
“If you clicked any link or provided your information, take efforts to secure your personal information and financial accounts. Dispute any unfamiliar charges, the warning states.
Also read: FBI issues urgent warning: Delete these texts immediately!
Cybercriminals have registered more than 10,000 domains to fuel this recent wave of attacks, which have included fake toll fees, unpaid bills, package deliveries, and other fabricated scenarios.
The scam has primarily involved fake toll fees, but there have also been reports of smishing texts referencing unpaid bills, package deliveries, and other fabricated scenarios.
These smishing messages typically follow a predictable pattern: they claim the recipient has an outstanding bill or fee that requires immediate payment to avoid penalties or other consequences.
The text then includes a link to a fraudulent payment site. Since iMessage blocks such links, scammers often instruct recipients to either reply directly or manually copy and paste the link into Safari.
If you receive a text like this, do not engage. Instead, report it immediately and delete the message.
Read next: Warming: The Latest Scam Texts You Need to Delete Immediately
Have you encountered one of these smishing texts? Do you have tips for recognizing and avoiding scams? Or perhaps you have questions about other ways to protect your digital life? We want to hear from you in the comments below!
Law enforcement officials are sounding the alarm on a particularly insidious scam targeting phone users, and they're urging us to act swiftly to protect our personal information.
Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using tactics that can easily trick even the most cautious among us. So, what should you watch out for?
The Sheriff's Office in Hampden County, Massachusetts, has issued a stark warning to iPhone users.
If you receive a text message claiming that an “investigation is being finalized” against you, urging you to call back immediately to avoid “further legal action,” hit delete and report it posthaste. These messages are not just unsettling—they're a trap.
Scammers provide fake case numbers, phone numbers, and even links that tempt you to “listen to a voicemail.” But beware, clicking these links could unleash malware on your device, giving cybercriminals a backdoor to your personal data.
“These scammers want to scare people into acting before thinking,” Sheriff Cocchi said.
Law enforcement officers have issued a warning about a new scam tactic targeting iPhone users through text messages. Image source: DuoNguyen / Unsplash.
Sheriff Cocchi has a message for all, saying “These scammers want to scare people into acting before thinking.”
And he's right. The texts may look official, perhaps even spoofed to appear as if they're from a legitimate agency, but don't be fooled.
Real law enforcement will never reach out via text, call, or email to demand money, resolve a warrant, or conduct official business in such a manner.
“If you receive a message like this, do not engage — delete it and report it.”
You might be interested: This "IRS $1,400 rebate" text could be a trap—here’s how to spot and avoid the latest scam!
These scammers are employing a tactic known as “smishing,” a blend of SMS (Short Message Service) and “phishing,” designed to steal your passwords, credit card information, or other sensitive details.
They play on fear and urgency, claiming you've missed court appearances, jury duty, or that you must follow certain instructions to avoid arrest.
One recent example is the E-Z Pass smishing texts, which falsely claim you owe an outstanding toll and must pay by a certain date to avoid additional fees or legal action.
The text messages said, “Final Reminder: You owe an outstanding toll. Pay by March 31 to avoid additional fees or legal action.”
The scam uses fear tactics, suggesting legal action is being taken against the recipient, to encourage them to click links or call back, potentially leading to malware installation and data theft. Image source: Kelli McClintock / Unsplash.
This isn't an isolated incident. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued a nationwide warning after the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received over 2,000 complaints about smishing texts masquerading as road toll collection services from multiple states.
The FBI's advice is clear: report these messages to IC3, check your accounts through the legitimate toll servicer's website, and delete the text without delay.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) echoes this sentiment, warning that clicking on links in these messages could lead to identity theft.
“If you clicked any link or provided your information, take efforts to secure your personal information and financial accounts. Dispute any unfamiliar charges, the warning states.
Also read: FBI issues urgent warning: Delete these texts immediately!
Cybercriminals have registered more than 10,000 domains to fuel this recent wave of attacks, which have included fake toll fees, unpaid bills, package deliveries, and other fabricated scenarios.
The scam has primarily involved fake toll fees, but there have also been reports of smishing texts referencing unpaid bills, package deliveries, and other fabricated scenarios.
These smishing messages typically follow a predictable pattern: they claim the recipient has an outstanding bill or fee that requires immediate payment to avoid penalties or other consequences.
The text then includes a link to a fraudulent payment site. Since iMessage blocks such links, scammers often instruct recipients to either reply directly or manually copy and paste the link into Safari.
If you receive a text like this, do not engage. Instead, report it immediately and delete the message.
Read next: Warming: The Latest Scam Texts You Need to Delete Immediately
Have you encountered one of these smishing texts? Do you have tips for recognizing and avoiding scams? Or perhaps you have questions about other ways to protect your digital life? We want to hear from you in the comments below!
