How to Respond to Smishing and Stay Safe Online

Smishing is a type of phishing that uses SMS or text messages to trick people into revealing sensitive information or downloading malware. This tactic is often used to steal personal data, such as login credentials or financial information.

Be cautious of messages that ask you to click on a link or download an attachment, as these can lead to malware or phishing scams. According to the article, 75% of people who click on suspicious links are likely to download malware.

To stay safe online, it's essential to be aware of the risks associated with smishing. By being informed and taking the necessary precautions, you can significantly reduce the chances of falling victim to a smishing attack.

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Smishing is a type of cybersecurity attack that occurs over short message services (SMS), also known as texting. It's essentially a phishing text message, where a threat actor poses as a trusted entity to trick a target into making a cybersecurity error.

Smishing is a type of phishing, but specifically refers to SMS messages sent to mobile devices. In most respects, the definitions of smishing and phishing are interchangeable.

Smishing attacks often employ manipulative social engineering tactics to spread malware or commit identity theft. These tactics can be convincing, but it's essential to be aware of them.

Smishing can trick you into tapping malicious links, revealing sensitive information such as passwords or credit card details.

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Education is key to protecting ourselves from smishing attacks. Any form of phishing, smishing, or social engineering attack can only be partially blocked with technological solutions.

Spam blockers on email systems are a best-practice setup in organizations and block 99% of phishing attacks. CU Denver and CU Anschutz already have these in place. Service providers for phones and text messages are also implementing these for their customers.

Reporting systems help organizations react when attacks make it through. CU Denver and CU Anschutz also has these in place for email systems, with instructions on how to use them on the ISIC Phishing Webpage.

Your mobile phone carrier may also offer anti-smishing tools. For example, Verizon offers such tools.

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If you receive a suspicious text message, it's essential to report it to the relevant authority.

Contact the bank, government agency, or company that the scam artist is impersonating so it can alert others and work with law enforcement to investigate the activity.

Forward smishing messages to short code 7726, which spells "SPAM" on your keypad, to allow cell phone carriers to identify the senders and take steps to limit messages from them going forward.

You can also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by contacting them at (877) 382-4357 or visiting their website at www.consumer.ftc.gov.

If you're the target of an IRS smishing attack, send an email to [email protected] with the details of the attack, including the phish caller ID number, a screenshot of the attack, a copy of the message, and the date, time, time zone, and the number of the recipient.

If you receive a suspicious SMS claiming to be from a reputable service like the IRS or USPS, don't tap the link. Scammers often use these services to trick you into exposing personal information.

A poorly formatted link can be a red flag, as seen in the USPS SMS scam example. The link may display the service's official website, but it's often accompanied by suspicious characters or domains.

If you're unsure about the authenticity of the message, it's best to contact the service directly through their official website or phone number.

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You've taken the first step by being cautious and avoiding smishing scams. Now, it's essential to monitor your accounts for any suspicious activity. Keep an eye out for unknown transactions on your bank or credit card account.

Unusual login locations for your accounts can also be a sign of trouble. This is especially true if you've never logged in from that location before. Be cautious of friends receiving suspicious messages from you, as this could be a sign that your account has been compromised.

Monitor your credit reports for any irregularities, as this can be a good indication of identity theft. You're entitled to a free credit report every year from a major credit bureau. This means you can check your reports three times a year for free.

Here are some specific signs of suspicious activity to look out for:

By keeping an eye on these potential signs of trouble, you can catch any issues early on and take action to protect yourself.

If you suspect you're the target of a smishing attack, immediately change all your passwords and PINs. Your new password should be complex and unique.

To report the attack, gather as much detail as possible and send an email to the relevant authority. For example, if you're the target of an IRS smishing attack, send an email to [email protected] with the details, including the phish caller ID number, a screenshot of the attack, a copy of the message, the date, time, time zone, and the number of the recipient.

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If you're unsure about the legitimacy of a text message, don't respond to it. Responding to smishing messages verifies that your phone number is active and that you're willing to open such messages, which may lead to an increase in unsolicited text messages you receive.

Smishers often use email-to-text technology, short codes, or spoofed local numbers to hide their identity. If a text message asks you to call a number, don't do it. Instead, contact the company or organization identified in the text message using the information listed in your records.

You can also report the attack to your bank or payment company, such as PayPal, which has opened up phishing reporting channels.

Smishers are constantly coming up with new ways to trick you, but most scams fall into one of several broad categories. These categories include phishing links to fake websites, urgent messages claiming account issues, prize notifications, and requests for verification codes.

Impersonation scams are particularly common, where a scammer pretends to be someone you know or a reputable brand or institution. They might even claim to be part of a security or tech support team, saying your account has been hacked and they need your personal information to fix it. Impersonation: A scammer pretends to be someone you know, or a reputable brand or institution.Tech support: Purporting to be part of a security or tech support team, the smisher says somebody hacked your account and that they need your personal information to fix it.Account suspension or password reset: You receive a text stating that your account has been suspended, urging you to tap a link or create a new password to reinstate it.Gift or prize: The message claims that you’ve won a prize or received a gift, asking you to provide information or tap a website link to claim it.Charity: Especially common during the holidays or after a newsworthy disaster, attackers pretend to be from a relief organization or charity and send text messages asking for donations.Tax scams: Smishing tax scams often impersonate CEOs or HR leaders seeking sensitive information like W-2s and banking details. Scammers can also masquerade as IRS reps, offering fake refunds and other benefits to steal personal data.Missed package: A smisher contacts you to say you’ve missed a package delivery and that you need to give them personal information or pay to schedule a new delivery.Fraud alert: You receive an SMS notification claiming you’ve been a victim of fraud, with an urgent prompt asking you to provide information or sign up for a service to prevent identity theft.Financial scam: These deceptive text messages impersonate banks or financial institutions, prompting recipients to share sensitive information or tap malicious links, which can result in identity theft or financial loss.

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Smishing scammers are constantly coming up with new ways to trick you, but most of their schemes fall into a few broad categories.

One common tactic is impersonation, where a scammer pretends to be someone you know, a reputable brand, or an institution.

Smishers often purport to be part of a security or tech support team, claiming that your account has been hacked and that they need your personal information to fix it.

You might receive a text stating that your account has been suspended, urging you to tap a link or create a new password to reinstate it.

Some scammers claim that you've won a prize or received a gift, asking you to provide information or tap a website link to claim it.

Charity scams are also common, especially during the holidays or after a newsworthy disaster, where attackers pretend to be from a relief organization or charity and send text messages asking for donations.

Tax scams often impersonate CEOs or HR leaders seeking sensitive information like W-2s and banking details.

Scammers can also masquerade as IRS reps, offering fake refunds and other benefits to steal personal data.

A smisher might contact you to say you've missed a package delivery and that you need to give them personal information or pay to schedule a new delivery.

Here are some specific types of smishing scams:

The Toll SMS Scam is a clever trick that scammers use to steal your money and sensitive information. They'll send you a smishing message claiming you have an unpaid toll, and the link they provide looks very convincing.

If you use the turnpike regularly, you might notice that the website address ends in ".org" instead of ".com." This is a red flag, as legitimate turnpike websites typically end in ".com."

Here are some common tactics scammers use in the Toll SMS Scam:

If you receive one of these messages, don't click on the link. Instead, contact the turnpike directly to verify the message and avoid falling victim to the scam.

To be prepared for smishing attacks, it's essential to be cautious with alarmist language used in messages. Smishing attacks often employ alarmist language to create a sense of urgency.

Malicious attachments are a common way smishers try to breach our cybersecurity. Be sure to inspect attachments from unknown senders before opening them.

Smishers also use unsafe links to compromise our security. Never click on links from unfamiliar senders, no matter how convincing the message may seem.

Protecting yourself from smishing requires preparedness on multiple fronts, including being aware of fraudulent websites. Be cautious when visiting websites recommended by suspicious messages.

By being vigilant and prepared, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to smishing attacks.

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