Phishing Scams, what you need to know.

So let’s talk about something everyone should be aware of, Phishing scams.  What this means is that a person is trying to run a scam on you but using text, or email. The big problem now is that with AI, the scammers can make it even better because there are no spelling errors in the messages.

The best defense is just not to click on anything you were sent. Heck, that is good advice anytime! Because , scammers can make the text or email come from a friend of yours or a family member, and sometimes the text or email will come from a friend or family member because the scammer took over that person’s account.

Here are some of the latest text message phishing scams to be aware of:

1. Missed delivery notifications: Scammers send fake delivery notifications that require you to click on a link to reschedule the delivery. The link leads to a phishing website that steals your personal information.
2. “Is this you?” messages: Scammers send messages that appear to be from a friend or family member asking if a photo or video is of you. If you respond, they may ask for personal information or send you a link to a phishing website.
3. Text scams claiming that your bank is closing your account: Scammers send messages claiming that your bank is closing your account and that you need to click on a link to prevent it from happening. The link leads to a phishing website that steals your personal information.
4. Texts claiming that you’ve won a prize: Scammers send messages claiming that you’ve won a prize and that you need to click on a link to claim it. The link leads to a phishing website that steals your personal information.
5. Texts claiming that your debit or credit card has been locked: Scammers send messages claiming that your debit or credit card has been locked and that you need to click on a link to unlock it. The link leads to a phishing website that steals your personal information.
6. Text messages supposedly from the IRS: Scammers send messages claiming to be from the IRS and asking you to click on a link to verify your identity. The link leads to a phishing website that steals your personal information.
7. Text messages from your own number: Scammers can spoof your phone number and send messages to your contacts asking for personal information or money.

If you ANY of these texts in your phone’s text messages, DO NOT CLICK on them! If you feel the need to open them, note who it is from and call that person or office by looking up the number from Bing or Google, DO NOT call the number that texted you.

Earlier I mentioned AI, so does it only help the scammer with a better scam message? I hate to say it but nope!

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made phishing scams more effective and targeted. Scammers use AI to automate various aspects of a phishing scam, making them more effective and scalable. For instance, AI can be used to automate the process of collecting information about a target, such as their social media activity, online behavior, and personal interests.

This information can then be used to craft a highly personalized message that is more likely to convince the target to take the desired action, such as clicking on a link or providing sensitive information.

Here are some of the best ways to identify a phishing scam:

1. Check the sender’s email address: Scammers often use email addresses that are similar to legitimate ones but with slight variations. Check the sender’s email address carefully for any discrepancies.
2. Look for spelling and grammar errors: Phishing emails often contain spelling and grammar errors. Legitimate emails are usually well-written and free of errors.
3. Avoid clicking on suspicious links: Hover over the link to see the URL before clicking on it. If the URL looks suspicious, do not click on it.
4. Be cautious when sharing personal information: Do not share personal information such as passwords, credit card details, or social security numbers unless you are sure that the request is legitimate.
5. Review the email content: Phishing emails often contain urgent requests, threats, or offers that are too good to be true. Be wary of such emails.

Ok, let’s wrap this up:

Do not click on any links period, end of story. If you must click on something, call the person who sent it first and make sure they really sent it. Yes, it’s a pain in the butt, however this is the best way to protect against this attack.