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Text Message Scams: Did you receive an Text Message from a Number You Do Know?

Email and Online Scams -

Have You Received a Scam Text Message?
a number you don't know, saying Hi, or some other statement like they know you?

Did you receive a text message from a number you don't know, saying

"Hi" or

"Hey! I'm Emily" or

some other statement like they know you?? Did they pretend they knew you, then say, oops, sorry... but let's talk, you seem nice, or something similar?

Well, don't fall for it. It is a scam, and if you call them back or follow their instructions you will lose money and possibly your identity! The people behind this are the worst kind of human scum; willing to do anything to scare, threaten, lie, cheat and steal money from anyone, including the elderly and poor. They usually operate out of Nigeria, China, Russia and even some developed western countries. Attachments typically include malware to infect your computer, tablet or phone and allow the scammer to capture your passwords.

Robotext Scams:

Scammers sending these text message want you to engage with them. Typically, they act like they know you and then, when - oops - they find out they "texted the wrong number" they try to engage you in conversation. .

Some scammers may be after your money, but others may simply be trying to collect personal information or confirm that a number is active for use in future scams. Do not respond or click on any links in the message. If you think a text might be legitimate, you should independently look up contact information and reach out directly to the company, government agency, or law enforcement.

Clues that this is from a scammer:

Scam text message - also known as "smishing" - frequently have the following:

Come from a number you do not recognize,
Has misleading information
Frequently has misspellings (to avoid spam-blocking/filtering tools)
Often comes from 10-digit or longer phone numbers from out of your state
Mysterious links are sometimes included
Sales pitches are not unusual
Frequently the scammer does not answer your questions and provides only incomplete information

How to Protect Yourself:

Do not respond to suspicious texts, even if the message requests that you "text STOP" to end messages.
Do not click on any links.
Do not provide any information via text or on a website.
File a complaint with the FTC.
Forward unwanted texts to SPAM (7726).
Delete all suspicious texts.
Update your smart device OS and security apps.
Consider installing anti-malware software.
Review companies'
policies regarding opting out of text alerts and selling/sharing your information.
Review text blocking tools in your mobile phone settings, available third-party apps, and your mobile phone carrier'
s offerings.

The FTC published the following guidance:

FTC guidance:

Consumer Complaints:

Online: https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov

Phone: (888) 225-5322

Videophone: 1-844-432-2275

Media Contact:

Will Wiquist

will.wiquist@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

--

ALERT: SCAM ROBOTEXTS ARE RISING THREAT

Text Message Scammers Seek Money, Information, and Engagement

--

The FCC'
s Robocall Response Team is alerting consumers to the rising threat of robotexts. Substantial increases in consumer complaints to the FCC, reports by non-government robocall and robotext blocking services, and anecdotal and news reporting make it clear that text messages are increasingly being used by scammers to target American consumers.

What Are Robotext Scams:

Scam text message senders want you to engage with them. Like robocallers, a robotexter may use fear and anxiety to get you to interact. Texts may include false-but-believable claims about unpaid bills, package delivery snafus, bank account problems, or law enforcement actions against you. They may provide confusing information - as if they were texting someone else -, incomplete information, or utilize other techniques to spur your curiosity and engagement.

Some scammers may be after your money, but others may simply be trying to collect personal information or confirm that a number is active for use in future scams. Do not respond or click on any links in the message. If you think a text might be legitimate, you should independently look up contact information and reach out directly to the company, government agency, or law enforcement.

How Big a Problem Is This:

The FCC tracks consumer complaints - rather than call or text volume - and complaints about unwanted text messages have risen steadily in recent years from approximately 5,700 in 2019, 14,000 in 2020, 15,300 in 2021, to 8,500 through June 30, 2022. In addition, some independent reports estimate billions of robotexts each month - for example, RoboKiller estimates consumers received over 12 billion robotexts in June.

What to Look Out For:

Scam text message - also known as "smishing" - sometimes utilize:

Unknown numbers

Misleading information

Misspellings to avoid blocking/filtering tools

10-digit or longer phone numbers

Mysterious links

Sales pitches

Incomplete information

How to Protect Yourself:

Do not respond to suspicious texts, even if the message requests that you "text STOP" to end messages.

Do not click on any links.

Do not provide any information via text or website.

File a complaint.

Forward unwanted texts to SPAM (7726).

Delete all suspicious texts.

Update your smart device OS and security apps.

Consider installing anti-malware software.

Review companies'
policies regarding opting out of text alerts and selling/sharing your information.

Review text blocking tools in your mobile phone settings, available third-party apps, and your mobile phone carrier'
s offerings.

What the FCC Is Doing:

Updating Robotext Rules: FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel proposed a new proceeding that would look to require mobile phone companies to block likely illegal robotexts and would consider how caller ID authentication-like technology might be applied to text messaging. The proposal is supported by the Chairwoman but remains pending before the full Commission.

FCC Rules: The FCC prohibits autodialed text messages from being sent to your mobile phone unless you previously gave consent to receive the message or the message is sent for emergency purposes. The FCC has repeatedly made clear that phone companies can block suspicious text messaging as a default policy based on reasonable analytics.

Enforcement: The FCC reviews consumer complaints and other available information for possible violations of anti-robocalling and spoofing laws. For purposes of these laws, the FCC considers text messaging to be a type of call. The FCC'
s Enforcement Bureau issued an enforcement advisory on this topic.

Partnerships: The FCC is partnering with state Attorneys General around the country to pool robocall investigation resources and combat robocalls and robotexts. The state leaders, like the FCC, have seen an increasing volume or scam robotexts.

Consumer Help Guides:

Avoid the Temptation of Smishing Scams

How to Identify and Avoid Package Delivery Scams

Robotexts on the Rise

Smishing: Package Tracking Text Scams (U.S. Postal Inspection Service)

Army, Selective Service Warn of Bogus Texts

Federal Law Enforcement Agencies Warn of Impersonation Scam Involving Credentials and Badges (Social Security Administration)

On the Internet: Be Cautious When Connected (FBI)

Cybercriminals Trick Victims into Transferring Funds to "Reverse" Instant Payments (FBI)

FCC Robocall Response Team - Under Chairwoman Rosenworcel, the Robocall Response Team was created to serve as an FCC staff working group that pulls together expertise from across the agency to leverage the talents of enforcers, attorneys, policy makers, engineers, economists, and outreach experts to combat the unyielding menace of illegal spoofed, scam, robocalls.

###

Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).

Information about a number you don't know, saying Hi, or some other statement like they know you?

There are several websites that focus on reports of scam text messages.

The links below go to pages on these other websites were you can read reports about the scams associated with this phone number (a number you don't know, saying Hi, or some other statement like they know you?):

It is a scam

Don't fall for it. It is a scam.

Norton 360 Premium Antivirus software with VPN, 2024 Ready

What to do

Just ignore it and delete the text message
. Do not click on anything in the text message
.

Apple offers the following advice:

If you get a suspicious text message:
Scammers spoof phone numbers and use flattery and threats to pressure you into giving them information, money, and even iTunes gift cards. Always verify the caller's identity before you provide any personal information. If you get an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be from Apple, hang up and contact us directly.

Microsoft says:

Tech support scams are an industry-wide issue where scammers use scare tactics to trick you into paying for unnecessary technical support services that supposedly fix contrived device, platform, or software problems.
Scammers may call you directly on your phone and pretend to be representatives of a software company. They might even spoof the caller ID so that it displays a legitimate support phone number from a trusted company. They can then ask you to install applications that give them remote access to your device. Using remote access, these experienced scammers can misrepresent normal system output as signs of problems.

Cybercriminals don't just send fraudulent text message
messages and set up fake websites. They might also call you on the telephone and claim to be from Microsoft. They might offer to help solve your computer problems or sell you a software license. Once they have access to your computer, they can do the following:

Trick you into installing malicious software that could capture sensitive data, such as online banking user names and passwords. They might also then charge you to remove this software.

See these pages for guidance as applicable to your specific situation:

If you are certain you don't owe a debt: What to do about harassing text messages
If you may owe a debt: Debt collection Emails - what they may do, what the may not do and how to stop them
If you are being harassed by the collector: file a compliant against a debt collector with the FTC - Use this form to submit a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Bureau of Consumer Protection about a particular company or organization..
How to stop telemarketers

Protect Yourself:

The following documents and websites can help you learn more about phishing and how to protect yourself against phishing attacks.

Methods of Reporting Phishing Email to the US Government

In Outlook Express, you can create a new message and drag and drop the phishing email into the new message. Address the message to phishing-report@us-cert.gov and send it.
In Outlook Express you can also open the email message^* and select File > Properties > Details. The email headers will appear. You can copy these as you normally copy text and include it in a new message tophishing-report@us-cert.gov .
If you cannot forward the email message, at a minimum, please send the URL of the phishing website.

* If the suspicious mail in question includes a file attachment, it is safer to simply highlight the message and forward it. Some configurations, especially in Windows environments, may allow the execution of arbitrary code upon opening and viewing a malicious email message.

For More Information About Phishing, See:

Click Here for a copy of NCL's Phishing Brochure. Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader'.
How Not to Get Hooked by a 'Phishing' Scam [PDF version]
Offers tips on how to avoid falling victim to a new type of spam scam in which consumers are deceived into handing over personal financial information.
Is Someone "Phishing" for Your Information? [PDF version]
Cautions consumers about emails that claim to be from government agencies in an attempt to steal personal information.
Digital PhishNet Web site.
Phish Report Network - a cooperative effort by several companies providing an information clearinghouse that will be run by WholeSecurity, a provider of client-side security solutions.
Internet Crime Prevention & Control Institute, a cooperative effort between Zero Spam Network Corp. and the University of Miami. Staffed by Miami undergraduate and graduate students and Zero Spam employees, works closely with the Secret Service's Electronic Crimes Task Force and ISPs in the United States and abroad to identify and block traffic to machines hosting phishing sites.
- Report A Crime
- FTC Fraud Reporting

There are several websites that focus on reports of scam text messages.

The links below go to pages on these other websites were you can read reports about the scams associated with this phone number (855-687-1444, claiming This is Microsoft. This call is to inform you that your Microsoft license key has expired):