Everyone must know how to protect from scam SMS which can be very creative and dangerous these days. When you come across a scam, you must know what to do, and here is our guide for keeping your eyes open!
Firstly Verify, Accordingly Act
Although most SMS messages can originate from a special number that is not immediately recognizable, just do this where you can. Please keep in mind that most respectable corporations, health associations, or government agencies do not request any personal information, call for contributions, or ask for money or bank account info with a simple SMS. If you see any of them, please know that they are possibly fake!
You can make a simple Google search for the organization and try to verify the real contact number against the one given to you even if it looks like it comes from a good institution. Also, you can simply reach the company and ask if this is their allocated SMS number or not.
Be careful if it comes to “clicking”
In the majority of SMS phishing scams, there is an inserted link that helps you to navigate through them and redirect you to another source or web page. Mostly, they aim to fool you into installing their malware or to share your data, like credit card information or passwords.
Please be careful when it comes to clicking any links from an unknown source. We also want to remind you that scammers can write any name that they want as an SMS source. Even if you see a familiar or trustable name, think and check twice. The best thing to do is to avoid any links you think suspicious.
Do Not Worry About In Any Condition
The only thing you can do is take a deep breath if you receive a text message with details that are designed to frighten you. Whatever messages you might receive, please do not feel stressed to move fast. Please consider getting people to make impulsive decisions; fraudsters take full advantage of stress and paranoia. Firstly, verify the data that is being presented to you.
If you have given your data to a fraudster, don't panic again! It's possible. Please try your best to update all the passwords and personal details directly. Additionally, please update information about your account, as well as work accounts, bank accounts, and everything relevant to friends and family that might be affected.
In comparison, to ensure that any malware is also wiped from your computer, we also recommend downloading trustworthy antivirus software.
Determine The Difference
Here are several suggestions for discovering the difference between a genuine COVID-19 SMS and a fake fraudster;
Texts supposedly originating from government agencies will usually have quick links at the end to “.gov”
Asking for financial or personal details? Immediately, delete it.
Asking for an initial fee or peculiar pathways of payment? Remove.
Typically, linguistic or grammatical mistakes indicate that they come from a malicious source.
Messages that force you to take fast, immediate, or time-limited action. There is always a possibility of prosecution or a financial penalty if you don't. Remove.
Provides a free one that you were not looking for before.
Have you won a race or a prize that you've never heard of? Remove.
Is it fair that anything that wouldn't be achieved over text is what is being asked of you? Suggesting a payment of compensation, letting you know about a good diagnosis of COVID, having a paycheck are not fair messages from approved health, government, or legal agencies.
Record It
Although it's easier said than done, the more reported scam SMS, so fewer victims there will be in the forecast. Try the nearest government authority or agency which is focusing on COVID-19 scam SMS and send in:
Screenshot from your cellular system
Caller number
Who they pretended to be
Any other valid details
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