“Smishing” Scams Can Ruin You with One Simple Click

​The FBI and FCC are warning Americans about “smishing” scams, a portmanteau of “phishing” and “SMS,” the “short messaging service” texts we all receive on our phones.
 
One scam unfolding across the United States alerts consumers that they owe money to Quick Pass or other wireless toll collectors. The FBI offers a sample message:
 
“We’ve noticed an outstanding toll amount of $12.51 on your record. To avoid a late feel of $50.00, visit https://myturnpiketollservice.com to settle your balance.”
 
Why would any scammer go to the trouble to collect such trivial amounts? Of course, on a mass basis, these little scams could add up to millions of dollars raked in by criminals. But the small amount also points to the likelier possibility that the real purpose of this scam is to prompt you to press the link, in order to infect your phone or device with malware so criminals can exploit your personal information and financial accounts.
 
Now we’re talking real money.
 
If you receive one of these texts, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) recommends that you:
 

• File a complaint with the IC3, www.ic3.gov, be sure to include:
  • The phone number from where the text originated.
  • The website listed within the text
• Check your account using the toll service's legitimate website.
• Contact the toll service's customer service phone number.
• Delete any smishing texts received.
• If you clicked any link or provided your information, take efforts to secure your personal information and financial accounts. (Emphasis added.) Dispute any unfamiliar charges.

 
We need to train ourselves to never react to online requests impulsively. Stand back and take a breath, avoiding the temptation of what appears to be a quick and easy solution to make an annoyance disappear. Always go to the validated website of your service provider to check your account.
 
Scammers are endlessly inventive and willing to dedicate time and research into “social engineering” to appear legitimate. If your sister is in trouble and needs cash immediately, make a phone call to your sister, as antediluvian as that sounds. Never click an untrusted message and always subject any request for money to scrutiny.