Urgent texts? Wait before clicking, could be a smishing scam!

Receiving texts about winning a prize in a competition you never applied for? Or getting a message from a bank asking to click on a link to know about unusual activity on your account?

Do not click just yet! You might fall victim to smishing.

Smishing scams , a form of phishing that uses text messages to trick people into handing over personal or financial information.

A blend of “SMS” and “phishing”, smishing involves fraudulent texts that are designed to look like they come from trusted sources such as banks, delivery services or government departments. These messages often create a false sense of urgency, warning of issues with your bank account, offering fake prizes or threatening legal action in an attempt to pressure recipients into clicking suspicious links or sharing sensitive data.

Such scams across the country, have been on a rise in recent times, with criminals exploiting the widespread use of smartphones and the tendency to trust text messages.

Does this mean not clicking at any link? Here are some red flags to watch for when you get your next text.

What to watch for

• Urgency or threats: Messages that demand immediate action or claim serious consequences are a major red flag.
• Requests for sensitive information: Legitimate organisations will never ask for passwords, PINs or banking details over text.
• Suspicious links or phone numbers: Smishing texts often come from random numbers or include strange-looking URLs.
• Spelling and grammar mistakes: Poorly written messages are a telltale sign of a scam.
• Offers that sound too good to be true: Promises of winnings, prizes or massive discounts are often bait to lure you in.
  

How to stay safe

• Verify the message: Contact the organisation directly using information from their official website, not the one in the text.
• Avoid clicking links: Don’t open any links or attachments in messages from unknown or suspicious sources.
• Use security apps: Install reliable mobile security software to help flag and block malicious activity.
• Report suspicious texts: Forward scam messages to your network provider or report them to cybercrime authorities.
  

By remaining alert, practising caution, and understanding the signs of smishing attempts, people can greatly lower their chances of being duped by such scams and better protect their personal and financial information.