Ignore and Delete: The best response to a scammer text is often no response at all. Simply delete the message and move on with your day.
Block the Number: If you receive repeated scam messages from the same number, block it to prevent further communication.
Report the Scam: If you believe you’ve received a scam text, report it to your mobile carrier or the appropriate authorities.
Avoid Engaging: Engaging with a scammer can sometimes lead to more scam attempts or even identity theft. It’s best to avoid responding altogether.
Don’t Share Personal Information: Never provide personal or financial information to someone who contacts you unexpectedly, especially via text message.
Be Skeptical: Be cautious of any unsolicited messages asking for money, personal information, or promising prizes or rewards.
Educate Yourself: Stay informed about common scam tactics so you can recognize them when they occur.
Use Scam Filters: Some mobile carriers offer scam filtering services that can help block suspicious messages before they reach your inbox.
Warn Others: If you receive a scam text, consider warning friends and family to help prevent them from falling victim to similar scams.
Stay Vigilant: Scammers are constantly coming up with new tactics, so it’s important to remain vigilant and skeptical of unexpected messages.
Verify Identities: If you receive a text from someone claiming to be a legitimate organization or company, verify their identity through official channels before responding.
Trust Your Instincts: If something seems too good to be true or feels off, trust your instincts and proceed with caution.
Protect Your Personal Information: Safeguard your personal and financial information by only sharing it with trusted sources.
Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect you’ve been targeted by a scam, report it to the appropriate authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your local law enforcement agency.
Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date on the latest scam tactics and trends to better protect yourself and others from falling victim to fraud.
Use Security Software: Consider using security software on your devices to help detect and prevent scam messages from reaching you.
Don’t Click on Links: Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited text messages, as they could lead to phishing websites or malware.
Verify Requests for Payment: If you receive a text requesting payment or financial information, verify the legitimacy of the request through official channels before taking any action.
Protect Your Devices: Keep your devices updated with the latest security patches and use strong, unique passwords to prevent unauthorized access.
Stay Calm: If you receive a scam text, try to remain calm and avoid panic. Take appropriate steps to protect yourself and report the scam as needed.
Don’t Engage in Arguments: Scammers may try to provoke a reaction or engage you in arguments to manipulate you. Avoid responding to their attempts to draw you into a conversation.
Check for Spelling and Grammar Errors: Many scam texts contain spelling or grammar mistakes that can indicate they’re not from a legitimate source. Be wary of messages with these errors.
Verify Offers Through Official Channels: If you receive an offer or promotion via text message, verify its authenticity by contacting the company or organization through their official website or customer service channels.
Use Caller ID Apps: Caller ID apps can help identify unknown numbers and alert you to potential scam calls or texts.
Use Two-Factor Authentication: Enable two-factor authentication on your accounts to add an extra layer of security and prevent unauthorized access, even if scammers obtain your login credentials.
Be Skeptical of Urgent Requests: Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure you into taking immediate action. Take a step back and carefully evaluate any urgent requests before responding.
Protect Your Personal Information: Be cautious about sharing personal information on social media or other online platforms, as scammers may use this information to target you with tailored scam messages.
Educate Others: Share information about common scam tactics with friends, family, and colleagues to help them recognize and avoid falling victim to scams.
Use Call Blocking Features: Many smartphones offer call blocking features that allow you to block specific numbers or types of calls, including known scam numbers.
Trust Your Gut: If something feels off or suspicious about a text message, trust your instincts and err on the side of caution.
Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect fraudulent activity or receive a suspicious text message, report it to the appropriate authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
Be Wary of Unsolicited Offers: Be cautious of unsolicited offers, especially those that promise quick money or prizes for little to no effort.
Avoid Sharing Personal Details: Refrain from sharing sensitive personal information, such as your Social Security number or banking details, via text message.
Verify Requests for Account Information: If you receive a text message requesting account information or verification codes, contact the company or service provider directly using verified contact information to confirm the request’s legitimacy.
Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your device’s operating system and security software to protect against known vulnerabilities and exploits used by scammers.
Use Strong Passwords: Create strong, unique passwords for your accounts and avoid using the same password across multiple platforms to prevent unauthorized access to your accounts.
Stay Informed About Scams: Stay informed about the latest scam trends and tactics by following reputable sources of information, such as government agencies and consumer protection organizations.
Trust Reliable Sources: Only trust information from reliable sources, and be wary of unsolicited messages or offers that seem too good to be true.
Secure Your Wi-Fi Network: Secure your home Wi-Fi network with a strong password to prevent unauthorized access and protect your personal information from interception.
Be Cautious of Unknown Links: Avoid clicking on links in text messages from unknown senders, as they may lead to phishing websites or malware downloads.
Protect Your Personal Devices: Install reputable antivirus and anti-malware software on your devices to detect and remove threats that could compromise your security and privacy.
Don’t Respond to Threats: If you receive a text message threatening legal action or other consequences, do not respond. Instead, report the message to the appropriate authorities.
Use Privacy Settings: Adjust your privacy settings on social media and other online platforms to limit the amount of personal information available to potential scammers.
Verify Charitable Requests: If you receive a text message soliciting donations for a charity or cause, research the organization independently to ensure it is legitimate before contributing.
Stay Updated on Scam Alerts: Sign up for scam alerts and notifications from reputable sources to stay informed about emerging threats and protect yourself from falling victim to scams.
Be Skeptical of Unexpected Notifications: Be cautious of unexpected notifications or messages claiming you’ve won a prize, inherited money, or are eligible for a refund, especially if you didn’t initiate contact with the sender.
Use Caution with Financial Transactions: Avoid conducting financial transactions or providing payment information in response to unsolicited text messages, especially those that pressure you to act quickly or offer deals that seem too good to be true.
Research Companies and Offers: Before engaging with offers or promotions received via text message, research the company or organization to verify its legitimacy and ensure it’s not a scam.
Educate Yourself About Common Scams: Familiarize yourself with common scam tactics, such as phishing, smishing (scam text messages), and vishing (voice scam calls), to recognize and avoid potential threats.
Use Secure Communication Channels: Whenever possible, communicate sensitive information, such as account numbers or passwords, through secure channels like encrypted messaging apps or secure websites.
