(FinancialHealth.net) – Text messages are easy to send and receive, allowing people to communicate at their will instead of when the other person answers the phone. However, don’t think that just because you’re texting you no longer have to deal with telephone scams.
Sure they may not call you at all hours of the day, but many scammers are now resorting to sending their scams via text message instead. Responding could threaten your finances.
Custom Sender Names
Anyone can select a custom sender name for their phone. Rather than having the message show up from a phone number, it could show the name of the person or company sending the text.
While most people would enter their actual name, scammers use the names of pre-existing companies to make people believe they’re receiving a text from a well-known place. It makes them more likely to respond to the text or click on the link that was sent within it.
Requests for Verification
Many people believe they are safe from scams because most websites use a two-step process for authenticating an account. Not only would the hacker need your account login info, but also the verification code many sites send to your phone to prove it’s you trying to gain access.
A new scam comes in the form of a request for verification. The scammer sends a text stating that your account suffered a suspicious login attempt. They urge you to check your account and use the verification process to have a code sent to your phone. They then tell you to text them back the verification code once you receive it. With this information in hand, they can get into your account.
Chances are, a company will not text you unless you have specifically signed up for their text message notifications. If you receive a text claiming to be from a company, don’t bother responding. It will inevitably be a scam that will threaten your finances when you respond with the requested information. Avoid texting anyone not in your contact’s list that you don’t know personally to avoid this scam possibility.
~Here’s to Your Financial Health!
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