Be Suspicious of Unexpected Messages
- Unknown Senders: Be wary of texts from numbers you don’t recognize, especially those with unusual formatting or foreign characters.
- Urgent Requests: Messages that create a sense of urgency (e.g., “Your account is about to be closed!”) are often a red flag.
Never Click Links in Suspicious Texts
- Type the Website Address Manually: If you need to access a website mentioned in a text, type the address directly into your browser’s address bar.
- Hover Over Links: On some devices, you can hover over a link to see the actual URL without clicking it. This can help you identify suspicious websites.
Verify Information Independently
- Contact the Company Directly: If you receive a message from a bank or other institution, contact them right away using a known phone number or email address to verify the information.
- Check Official Websites: Visit the official website of the company mentioned in the message to confirm any information or offers.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
- Add an Extra Layer of Security: Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible. This requires a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your registered email or phone number, in addition to your password.
Report Suspicious Texts
- Forward to Your Carrier: Most mobile carriers have options to report spam texts. Check your carrier’s instructions for how to do this.
- Report to Authorities: You can also report suspected smishing attempts to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States.
Use a Spam Filtering App
- Block Suspicious Numbers: Some apps can help you identify and block fake text messages.
Educate Yourself and Others
- Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date on the latest smishing scams and techniques.
- Share Information: Educate your friends and family about the dangers of smishing and how to protect themselves.
By following these tips, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to smishing attacks. Sources and related content.
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