Hello everyone,
The Technology Committee wanted to share a quick “for your information” about a Phishing text message scam that’s been making the rounds. It has become so prevalent that the FBI issued a national warning, and it’s something both iPhone and Android users should be aware of.
What’s Going On?
By now just about everyone has received a text message that appears to be from a legitimate source—like a toll agency, the DMV, or even your bank. The message might say something like:
“You have unpaid toll fees. Pay now to avoid penalties: [fake link]”
Or:
“Your bank account has an outstanding balance. Resolve now: [another fake link]”
These messages are designed to create a sense of urgency and trick you into clicking the link. But don’t be fooled, they’re part of a scam meant to steal your personal information or install malware on your phone.
What Makes This Scam So Dangerous?
- It’s spreading fast. The FBI has reported a 700–800% increase in these scams over the past month.
- The messages look real. Scammers are skilled at mimicking official messages.
- The content changes. Today it might be a toll alert, tomorrow it could be a fake package delivery or a bank notice.
What Should You Do?
If you get one of these texts:
- Forward the message to 7726 (which spells “SPAM” on your phone keypad). This sends it to your carrier’s spam reporting system.
- Report the message as spam or junk if your phone gives you that option.
- Delete the message to avoid accidentally clicking on it later.
Why It’s Important
Even if you haven’t received one of these messages yet, it’s good to stay alert. These scams are becoming more frequent and more convincing. By taking a moment to forward, report, and delete the message, you not only protect yourself, you also help stop the scammers from reaching others too.
Lastly, it is a common misconception that company issued cell phones are somehow protected by the IT department. Unfortunately, that is not the case. The only person that can protect your cell phone from bad actors is you.
Stay safe out there and when in doubt, don’t tap the link!
