A Free public Service

SCAMS BULLETIN Host Jay White is an inactive attorney in San Mateo County, California.

TEXT MESSAGE SCAMS

Attribution:  US Federal Trade Commission

Have you ever gotten a text message from an unknown sender? It could be a scammer trying to steal your personal and financial information.

Scammers send fake text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information — things like your password, account number, or Social Security number. If they get that information, they could gain access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers.

Scammers often try to get you to click on links in text messages by falsely promising you something. They also send fake messages that say they have information about your account or a transaction.

Other messages might install harmful malware on your phone that steals your personal or financial information without you realizing it.

If you think a message might be real, you can contact the company using a phone number or website you know is real. Not the information in the text message.

There are ways to filter unwanted text messages or stop them before they reach you. Your wireless provider might have a tool or service that lets you block calls and text messages.