SMS phishing: The invisible danger

The digital world is a constant game of cat and mouse between cybercriminals and users. As online services have increased, fraudsters' methods have evolved, with SMS phishing scams - a well-known tactic - still seeing high success rates. This scam uses fake SMS messages claiming to be from trusted companies, such as shipping providers or streaming platforms, to trick unsuspecting recipients into disclosing sensitive information.

The bait: fake SMS messages

The strategy behind this scam is simple but effective. Cybercriminals send masses of SMS messages that supposedly come from well-known companies such as Deutsche Post, DHL, Hermes or even Netflix. These messages often claim that there is a problem with the delivery of a package or with the payment of a subscription. Clever wording and feigned urgency entice recipients to click on a link contained in the message.

The trap: phishing sites

Clicking on the link takes victims to carefully designed phishing pages that look deceptively similar to the real websites of the companies mentioned. There they will be asked to enter personal data such as access, contact and payment information. This data is then intercepted by the attackers and used for further criminal activities such as identity theft or outright financial fraud.

Protective measures and response

To protect yourself from SMS phishing, it is important to never click on links in unexpected SMS messages, especially if they ask for personal information. Instead, users should always use the companies’ official websites or apps to access their services. Anyone who has fallen into the trap should immediately secure the affected accounts by changing passwords and, if possible, setting up two-factor authentication. It is also advisable to inform the bank and report it to the police.

Questions and answers:

Question 1: What is SMS phishing?
Answer 1: SMS phishing is a scam method that uses fake SMS messages to trick people into entering personal information on fraudulent websites.

Question 2: Which companies are often mentioned as sending fake SMS messages?
Answer 2: Shipping service providers such as Deutsche Post, DHL, Hermes and streaming services such as Netflix are often incorrectly named as senders.

Question 3: What should I do if I received a phishing SMS?
Answer 3: Change any affected passwords immediately, contact your bank if payment details have been exposed and report it to the police.

Question 4: How can you protect yourself from phishing SMS?
Answer 4: Do not click on links in unexpected SMS messages and always use the company's official website or app.

Question 5: What happens to the stolen data?
Answer 5: The stolen data can be used for identity theft, unauthorized transactions and other fraud attempts.

Conclusion

SMS phishing remains a major threat in the digital world. The perpetrators constantly adapt their methods to deceive unsuspecting users. In order to protect yourself and your data, it is important to find out about this scam and take preventive measures. If you have fallen victim to such a scam, you must act quickly to prevent further damage. Additionally, it is important to stay informed and vigilant about such threats.

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Source: polizei-praevention.de

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