Beware of 'Smishing' Identity Theft Scam
Wednesday, May 16, 2012 11:17AM
Have you ever been sent a text message with a link? Be careful! Identity Theft Expert and Consultant Robert Siciliano says it could be an ID theft scam known as “smishing.”
The term “smishing” refers to winning a fake prize. A link often appears in the body of an email or phone text telling you to “click here” for your prize. If you click on the infected link, it downloads malware, which compromises your device.
If you click on the infected link, the downloaded software allows a “bad guy” to remotely control your phone -- from anywhere in the world. That scammer can even use your phone to access your banking information and even monitor ambient sounds around you.
How do you avoid “smishing”? Robert says:
1) Protect your cell phone and computer with anti-malware products, such as McAfee
2) Avoid clicking on links you are not familiar with.
On “Anderson,” Robert shares the top 10 identity theft scams to watch out for. Along with “smishing” another top scam is disguised phone calls.
A “bad guy” will use your social networking page, such as Facebook, to retrieve personal information from you before placing a call to a victim’s family member or friend, asking for money.
Robert also reveals that a thief can easily change a caller ID. Just because the caller ID says it’s your friend, it doesn’t mean it is.
How do you avoid the disguised phone call scam? Robert recommends turning on privacy settings on your Facebook account.
Robert urges you to never trust a caller ID -- thieves can easily change their numbers to make it seem like a friend or family number. Never reveal personal information on your Facebook page.
“Skimming” is a credit and debit card scam in which crooks tamper with debit-card processing equipment at the point of sale -- inserting a tiny device into the store equipment that enables them to read the magnetic strip as it is swiped.
Tami Nealy, Senior Director of Corporate Communications at LifeLock, says the best way to avoid skimming is to be vigilant at the gas station pump, or wherever you use your debit card. Look for anything out of place. Any wires exposed? Tape evident? Hardware loose?
Also, when you insert your card, wiggle it while it’s in the slot. If something seems loose, there might be theft device attached to the swipe hardware. Wiggling the card might jar the theft device from its hiding place.
Last, Tami recommends using your hand to cover your PIN number as you punch it in at the ATM, just in case there’s a pinhole camera, which can record customers as they enter their PIN.
For more identity scams to beware of, and for info on how to protect yourself, watch “Anderson” on Wednesday, May 16.
The term “smishing” refers to winning a fake prize. A link often appears in the body of an email or phone text telling you to “click here” for your prize. If you click on the infected link, it downloads malware, which compromises your device.
If you click on the infected link, the downloaded software allows a “bad guy” to remotely control your phone -- from anywhere in the world. That scammer can even use your phone to access your banking information and even monitor ambient sounds around you.
How do you avoid “smishing”? Robert says:
1) Protect your cell phone and computer with anti-malware products, such as McAfee
2) Avoid clicking on links you are not familiar with.
On “Anderson,” Robert shares the top 10 identity theft scams to watch out for. Along with “smishing” another top scam is disguised phone calls.
A “bad guy” will use your social networking page, such as Facebook, to retrieve personal information from you before placing a call to a victim’s family member or friend, asking for money.
Robert also reveals that a thief can easily change a caller ID. Just because the caller ID says it’s your friend, it doesn’t mean it is.
How do you avoid the disguised phone call scam? Robert recommends turning on privacy settings on your Facebook account.
Robert urges you to never trust a caller ID -- thieves can easily change their numbers to make it seem like a friend or family number. Never reveal personal information on your Facebook page.
“Skimming” is a credit and debit card scam in which crooks tamper with debit-card processing equipment at the point of sale -- inserting a tiny device into the store equipment that enables them to read the magnetic strip as it is swiped.
Tami Nealy, Senior Director of Corporate Communications at LifeLock, says the best way to avoid skimming is to be vigilant at the gas station pump, or wherever you use your debit card. Look for anything out of place. Any wires exposed? Tape evident? Hardware loose?
Also, when you insert your card, wiggle it while it’s in the slot. If something seems loose, there might be theft device attached to the swipe hardware. Wiggling the card might jar the theft device from its hiding place.
Last, Tami recommends using your hand to cover your PIN number as you punch it in at the ATM, just in case there’s a pinhole camera, which can record customers as they enter their PIN.
For more identity scams to beware of, and for info on how to protect yourself, watch “Anderson” on Wednesday, May 16.
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Comments
At this point, people should have that engraved in their heards. DO NOT CLICK OR OPEN MESSAGES/EMAILS THAT YOU DON'T KNOW. What is the likelihood of someone winning a prize out of nowhere? Slim to none.
What was the website that the guy and his girlfriend were harassed but his was racist and got that settlement and helps you get out of debt.
I was dupped by a facebook message claiming to be Starbucks, logo and all on how to get a $100 gift card. When I clicked on the facebook link, it asked for my cell number (I don't have a smartphone). Stupidly, I put in my cell number then it stated my account would be charged a monthly texting fee of $9.99. But I could click to decline, I did, but they still charged my cell phone (Verizon).
When I discovered the charge, I called Verizon and they told me what I had to do to opt out!! And I had them block it so nobody can do that again. I was foolish but the add on facebook really looked like it was from Starbucks.
Shouldn't facebook be checking these scams?
Anderson,
I was checking my mobile phone bill when I saw a fee for $9.00. I called the phone company and they explained "smishing". I don't recall opening a link because I am weary of "you can win an IPad" advertising, however, they were still able to add a charge to my bill.The phone company refunded the fee and put a block on the phone. The problem is that this not only costs the consumer money who does not check their phone bill but also the phone company because they have paid the fee. I have dropped my Facebook and Twitter accounts. It just is not that important to me to communicate via social networks, plus I could never figure out how to use Twitter! I emailed friends to alert them of this scam.
NO ****, SHERLOCK. Did this blogger need to go back to school to find this out? This has been happening for over a year now. And anything that uses any kind of browser can be hacked. I suck at computers and know this.
Thanks goodness I have a LegalShield membership. They partnered with Kroll background America (the folks who do background checks for TSA airport staff and who rounded up Sadaam Hussein's assets to give back to the people) which happens to cover all forms of ID theft and are the ONLY company to do full restoration once it's covered member's identity are compromised.
I have received a new replacement phone that had to be reactivated on Wednesday the 16th. On Thursday the 17th I received a text from this number with this message. 7623591098 "Your entry last month has won! Go To http://rewardsonmobiles.com/ and enter you winning code 5555 to claim your free $1000 VISA GIFT CARD NOW!"
I got a text and did not even click it on my iPhone and it lead to charges monthly. I called my carrier to put a block on it (simple messages less than a phone #.) They also reversed the charges 19.95 a month. I had to forward it to ATT.
On a side note. Glide Bikes Inc make a balance bike that has helped thousands of kids learn to ride a bike with out ever using training wheels. Kids love how fun and easy it is to ride the Mini Glider and Go Glider and parents appreciate not having to break there backs chasing after them. http://www.balancebikes.com
And this is why I don't own a smartphone :)
This is wonderfull , now that i know i will be carefull now , thanks.
Why doesn*t Anderson tell of the perps going to jail for 20+ years??? Show the mugshots and treat them like child molesters- ruin their future for the rest of their life and they will quit. never coddle a criminal-they ruin a persons life ruin theirs
Its amazing when your sence of conciousness and awareness is made aware of. Great report.
The smishing video is not true for iphone users i am a apple developer the iphones operating system is a closed system this guy is a idiot.
this is why i don't use my phone to do anything but talk on. The smarter the electronics around us gets the dumber the people do. common sence is a lost 6th sence that kept people out of trouble and being scamed.Now days people are just to trusting ..they post the life history on line. You can take notes and over 6 months to a year build abd very good profile of a person and know there life better than they do.
It is weird how all these news people and others keep telling us how dangerous facebook and other social media is and then at the bottom of their page they have presence on these same danger zones. Sort of like telling a person how dangerous mine fields are then inviting them over for tea but to get to their house you have to cross a minefield. Great info none the less though I would have liked to know how you protect yourself at a restaurant or where people take your card away.