Receiving text alerts for the things we care about like making sure a package was delivered, the food has arrived, or a debit card has been compromised, helps make our day easier. Scammers, however, love to use these same communication methods against us when attempting to grab our sensitive information.

Reader’s Digest, in a recent article, explained the different kinds of texts that scammers will use to confuse their victims and get them to give up information.

• Pending packages asking for ownership confirmation.
• Your bank account is at risk of being closed.
• Texts from random “acquaintances” you’ve never met.
• Your bank account debit card is locked.

These are just a few examples of the texts that scammers may use and their methods are constantly changing.

How can you tell the difference between a scammer’s text and a legitimate text?

Keep these red flags in mind:

• You weren’t expecting the text and never signed up to have text notifications. Unsolicited communications are a big indicator that there could be a scammer at work. If the text came out of left field, it’s best to be suspicious.
• The text wants you to call a number, click a link, or respond with sensitive information. Scammers will use social engineering, malware, and fake websites to get personal information. It is good practice to avoid responding to the text and instead reach out directly to the source via trusted contact information.
• The text tries to elicit a sense of urgency and makes you feel compelled to act now. If a text makes you feel rushed or worried, take a step back and a deep breath and understand this is exactly what the scammer intends. We tend to make hasty decisions when under pressure, and the scammer is trying to take advantage of that.

What should you do when you get a text you think could be a scam?

• If you think it still could be a legitimate communication from a business or organization you are affiliated with, instead of responding to the text, use the official contact information from the business website and inquire into it.
• Do not respond to the text itself, click any link, or call any number. Scammers will see any responses as an opportunity to continue working on the scam and you may see more fraudulent communications sent your way.
• There may be ways to block them altogether. The FTC has some great resources on how you may be able to block spam texts and calls and report them. Visit the link here to learn more.

While text scams are just another piece of the large scammer toolbox, many of the methods to handle them are the same as any other kind of scam. Training yourself to recognize these scams and helping your friends and loved ones stay educated on the most recent methods scammers use will help keep our communities safer.