Can a scammer get anything from a text?

In today’s digital world, text messaging is one of the most common ways we communicate. However, this ubiquity also makes it a prime target for scammers looking to obtain personal information or money. So what exactly can a scammer get from a text message exchange? Let’s take a look.

Personal Information

One of the main things a scammer can gain by texting you is personal information. This includes obvious details like your name, phone number, and email address. However, through casual conversation a scammer can also find out other personal info such as:

Your birthday or age

Your location or address
Details about your family, relationships, job, etc.
Account usernames or passwords

Scammers are skilled at manipulating conversations to subtly extract this kind of personal data from victims. Once they have some basic info, they can then leverage it to research you more extensively online or try using it to access your accounts. Always be wary of sharing personal details with an unsolicited texter.

Money

Of course, scammers ultimately want your money. There are a few common text messaging scams aimed at bilking victims out of cash:

Advance fee scam: Scammer claims you’ve won money or a prize, but requires you to pay taxes/fees/shipping first.

Romance scam: Scammer woos you into an online relationship, then starts asking for money for alleged emergencies, travel, etc.
Family emergency scam: Scammer pretends to be a relative or friend claiming to be in a financial emergency.
Fake banking/government scams: Scammer pretends to be from a bank or government demanding payment for supposed issues with your info or accounts.

A common theme is scammers telling a story to convince you to willingly send money or share financial account info in order to “help” them. Don’t fall for it!

Phone or Account Takeover

More technically sophisticated scammers may attempt to use texting to take over control of your phone or other accounts. This can be done by:

Sending a malicious link that downloads malware allowing them remote access to your device and accounts.

Porting your phone number to a device they control by using personal info obtained from you.
Getting login credentials or resetting your passwords by “phishing” via text.

In general, be very cautious about clicking links or attachments sent in text messages that look suspicious or come from unknown numbers. This is a common tactic used in many text messaging scams aimed at gaining access or control.

How Scammers Get Your Number

For scammers to text you, they first need your phone number. Here are some common ways they get them:

Random number generators: Software is used to send out mass texts to ranges of numbers.
Stolen data breaches: Your number may end up on the dark web after a hack of a database that had your info.

Social networks: Your profile on sites like Facebook may reveal your number.
Website forms: Signing up for sites or entering contests can expose your number.
Malware or phishing links: Clicking dubious links can infect your device and steal contacts.

Practicing general caution online and not oversharing personal info can help reduce the risk of your number falling into the wrong hands.

Most Common Scam Texts

Here are some of the most prevalent scam text formats to watch out for:

“Your [bank name] account has been suspended, click here to verify your information.”

“We were unable to deliver your package, please click here to reschedule delivery.”
“Congratulations [your name], you’ve won $1000! Click here to claim your prize.”
“This is [fake relative], I’m in trouble and need money urgently. Please help.”

Be skeptical of any texts making claims that seem too good to be true or pressing you to take urgent action without direct confirmation. Calls for clicking links or immediate money transfers are huge red flags.

How to Avoid Scams from Texts

Here are some tips to help avoid getting scammed from text messages:

Don’t click links or call numbers from unknown senders – look them up independently first.

Never send money or financial info by text, even if the story sounds convincing.
Be wary of texts conveying urgency or requiring immediate action.
Don’t provide any personal details to unsolicited texts.

Use security and spam blocking apps to filter out suspect texts.
Ask the sender a personal question only the real contact would know.
Search online to fact check claims made in suspicious texts.

Trust your instincts – if a text seems fake, it probably is. When in doubt, stop communicating with the sender.

What to Do If You Get a Scam Text

If you receive a text message you believe to be a scam attempt, here’s what to do:

Don’t respond or click any links – this could lead to more scam messages or malware.

Block the number so you don’t get more texts from them.
Report the scam by forwarding details to 7726 (SPAM), your phone provider, or the FTC.
Change passwords and monitor accounts if personal info was shared.

Warn friends and family in case it’s a widespread scam campaign.

Taking quick action helps protect yourself and others from ongoing scam risks. Be vigilant about reporting scam texts to authorities to aid efforts to catch criminals exploiting text messaging.

The Dangers of Text Message Phishing

One specific text scam technique to note is phishing. This is when scammers try to trick you into giving personal information or money by impersonating legitimate businesses or contacts. Some dangers include:

Fake login pages: URLs texted to steal your usernames and passwords.
Bogus account issues: Pretending there is a problem with your account to get info.
Malicious links: URLs or attachments that download malware onto your device.

Unauthorized payments: Tricking you into willingly sending money.

Phishing texts are designed to look authentic, often using logos and messaging similar to the business or organization being impersonated. Stay vigilant for subtle signs like typos, threatening language, and suspicious web addresses.

Technicalsafeguards against text scams

Beyond just awareness and caution, here are some technical safeguards you can take against text message scams:

Use spam call and text blocking apps like Nomorobo or RoboKiller to automatically filter out likely scams.
Enable two-factor authentication on important accounts to protect against unauthorized logins.
Avoid SMS for 2FA and use an authenticator app instead whenever possible.

Don’t have sensitive SMS texts like passwords or codes show on your phone lock screen.
Check permissions of apps to prevent unauthorized access to messages.
Frequently update your phone OS and apps to fix security issues.

Proactive technical measures like these add essential layers of defense against the threat of text scams. They effectively complement vigilance around messaging behaviors and links.

How Companies Combat Text Scams

Major telecommunication companies and messaging services are also taking action to try detecting and stopping text scams and phishing efforts. Some measures being taken include:

Filtering algorithms to identify and block suspected scam content.

Monitoring uncharacteristic spikes in activity.
Blacklisting known scam phone numbers.
Limiting auto-forwarding text services often used by scammers.

Collaborating across carriers to identify threats.
Providing reporting options directly in messaging apps.

Cooperation between telcos and a multipronged approach combining technology and policies is crucial to getting ahead of the evolving threat. But users must also remain cautious and help identify scam attempts.

The Importance of User Reporting

While providers are working to enhance their scam protections, user reporting of suspicious texts also plays a pivotal role. Here’s why it’s so important you report text scams:

Alerts carriers to new scam trends so they can update filters.
Helps identify specific numbers actively used for scams.

Provides data to aid investigation and enforcement efforts.
Warns other customers who may receive the same texts.
Creates transparency about the scale of the problem.

Every text scam reported helps strengthen defenses and disrupt scammers’ operations. Do your part by promptly forwarding dubious texts to 7726 (SPAM).

Law Enforcement Efforts

Detecting and prosecuting text scammers poses challenges, but here are some ways law enforcement agencies are fighting back:

Partnering with mobile carriers to trace suspicious texts.

Undercover operations posing as victims.
Identifying phone number owners.
Coordinating with global agencies to take down networks.

Educating the public on common scam tactics.
Providing resources for reporting text scams.

Authorities recommend forwarding the original scam text and number to 7726 for investigatory purposes before blocking the sender. With cooperation from the public, officials can build cases against illegal text operations.

The Bottom Line

Text messaging scams are on the rise and can lead to stolen personal information, financial theft, or device compromise if you aren’t cautious. Protect yourself by never clicking questionable links, providing sensitive data, or sending money to dubious texts. Report any suspected scam attempts and use technical safeguards. Remember – no legitimate company or contact will demand immediate sensitive actions over text. When in doubt, don’t respond!