Authorities are warning about new smishing phone texts

Smartphone users across the United States are being warned by the FBI to be vigilant about smishing scams, as malicious text messages from cybercriminals continue to surge. These deceptive texts lure individuals into providing personal or financial information, including credit card and account details.

Understanding smishing scams

Smishing, a blend of "SMS" and "phishing," is a form of fraud where attackers use text messages to trick recipients. According to a Forbes report, perpetrators have registered over 10,000 domains to launch new waves of attacks, focusing primarily on toll payment scams. These texts warn of unpaid bills, urging recipients to click links leading to fraudulent payment sites.

Protecting against mobile scams

Bleeping Computer highlighted recent cases, such as fake parking violation messages directing users to phishing sites disguised as city departments. In one instance, users were redirected to a site mimicking New York's parking department, demanding payment for non-existent fines.

The FTC warns users not to click suspicious links and to verify any claims of unpaid services through official websites or customer service numbers. Any text claiming to be from a U.S. toll or delivery service redirecting to an unexpected domain, particularly those ending in unfamiliar extensions like .XIN, should be deleted immediately.

The increased incidence in cities like Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Orlando indicates a major uptick in these attacks, as reported by Forbes. The FBI, alongside other cybersecurity firms, stresses the importance of awareness, especially with the scams' evolving complexity and mechanism.

Victims are advised to report incidents to local authorities and remain cautious of any text demanding urgent action or personal information. Mobile security measures and vigilance are essential to defending against this persistent threat.