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You know phishing via email by now. But text messages can also be fake. Don’t fall for it!
How SMS Phishing Works
Phishing via SMS has become less popular since the arrival of the communication app WhatsApp. But because text messages seem more secure and reliable than WhatsApp messages, cyber criminals still use them from time to time.
Criminals often send a text message containing a link. Plus a call to fill in details or transfer money. If you tap on the link, you will arrive at a web page. There the details can be entered or the money can be transferred. The SMS and the web page appear to be from a reliable authority. For example from ING or another bank, the tax authorities, Ziggo or another provider. But in reality, that entire website is fake; recreated to resemble the real site. Whoever goes into it is the asshole. The data or the money ends up in the hands of the criminals.
Recognize Phishing via SMS
We don’t make it more complicated than it is. Institutions such as a bank or government will never ask you to enter your login or payment details via SMS. And of course they don’t ask you in a text message if you want to transfer money. If you receive such a text message, then it is wrong! Simple stuff.
What to do with phishing text messages
Opening and reading a phishing SMS is harmless. Also, don’t click on a link. Never enter your details and never transfer money. Ignore the text. Not necessarily necessary, but if it reassures you: throw the SMS away and block the sender.
What is texting again?
A text message is a text message that arrives on the phone. The rise of the popular messaging app WhatsApp meant the death blow for text messages. Anyone with a smartphone could share messages, photos and videos for free via WhatsApp, where that cost money via SMS. Still, texting hasn’t died out completely. Nobody looks surprised when a text message comes in. And criminals use it.