This scam is spreading rapidly . In just a few months, the number of reported fraudulent text messages has increased almost fivefold - a worrying development that demands attention.
Smishing: A Modern Danger
This scam, known as “smishing,” involves luring unsuspecting victims to fraudulent websites via SMS or installing malware. In October, the Federal Network Agency recorded a sharp increase in complaints to 1,453 compared to 327 in July.
The tactic seems to be working because many people lose track of their parcel shipments or carelessly click on the fraudulent links.
Tempting but dangerous
The scammers constantly vary their messages to deceive their victims. Typical examples include “Your package is still pending. Confirm your details here” or “Delivery problem. Follow the link to arrange a new delivery date”.
These messages contain links to websites that can intercept personal information or lure victims into subscription traps. The police in Lower Saxony are even warning about malware that sends fraudulent SMS messages to all of the victim's contacts.
How can you protect yourself?
Experts strongly advise against clicking on links in such SMS. Instead, you should contact the source directly, for example via the parcel service's app or website.
Many messenger services also offer spam filters and the ability to block messages from unknown senders without blocking legitimate messages such as those for two-factor authentication.
Fraud SMS in many variations
The scam is diverse. Sometimes the fraudsters pose as customs officials, sometimes they target bank customers. The infamous “grandchild trick” is also one of the frequently reported cases of fraud. Parcel service providers such as DHL are increasingly concerned about the increasing number of phishing SMS messages.
Measures and help
Those affected can complain to the Federal Network Agency, which will try to switch off fraudulent numbers. By the end of October, over 8,540 numbers had already been switched off. Both consumer advice centers and DHL receive reports of fraudulent activity.
Conclusion: vigilance and caution are required
This development clearly shows that it is more important than ever to be vigilant and protect yourself from fraudulent text messages. Always check the origin of messages and do not click on unknown links. Education and awareness of these scams is essential to protect yourself and others.
Source: Mirror
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )