Top Text Message Scams of 2022 and How to Protect Yourself in 2023
Author: Adam Collins
At the start of 2022, many of us were not prepared for the world that was about to befall us. Everything from technological advances to a global economic meltdown, in one year, has changed our way of life completely. However, there is no doubt that one thing remains unchanged - text message scams continue to be on the rise in 2022.
From SMS scams saying your package is pending to your bank shutting down your account, there has been a fair share of text messaging scams in 2022. With the increasing use of smart devices, it's no surprise that scammers are inventing new ways to prey on your pocketbook with fake text messages.
While we know they're here to stay, there are a lot of ways we can defend ourselves against these text message scams. We have put together this guide to help you identify what text scams look like and how to avoid them.
How Common are Text Message Scams in 2022?
According to Truecaller, close to 60 million Americans have fallen victim to text scams in the last year. The worrying trend is, only 65% of Americans said they would delete a message from an unknown number.
ScamWatch, run by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, says text scams were the most reported scam medium in 2022 with over 59,000 cases reported. Scamwatch also noted that there was a 5% increase in SMS scams from January to mid-November. This is even though over 61 million text scams were blocked per month.
In the Philippines, PLDT Inc, a leading telecommunications provider blocked over 23 million scam texts in June this year alone.
Text message scams have been common and rising across the globe as scammers devise new strategies to scam people.
Image source: Unsplash.com
The Most Common Type of Text Message Scams in 2022
Some of the most common types of scams we have seen in 2022 include:
- Fake messages from banks
- Fake messages from delivery companies
- Urgent messages about your credit card
- Fake survey links
- Fake lottery messages
Fake Message from the Bank
The most common type of text message scams in 2022 is the ones that claim to be from your bank or credit card company. These messages will often display an urgent message about your account, or say something like, “Your account has been frozen for non-payment” or “This is a fraud alert on your card.”
If you receive one of these texts, don’t panic! It's almost certainly fake. You're probably just being scammed by someone trying to steal your identity and money. If you get one of these texts and it looks fishy, contact your bank or credit card company right away and ask them what's going on with your account.
Urgent Messages About Your Credit Card
Fake "urgent" messages about your credit card or bank account have lingered for so long. This type of scam is a classic, and we're seeing it more and more often.
The first sign that you might be dealing with a fraudulent text message is that the message comes from someone who has no business reaching out to you—and they may even be trying to get your personal information by pretending to be someone else.
Fake Delivery Messages
In the age of online shopping, delivery messages are taken a bit more seriously. But scammers are taking advantage of this and sending malicious texts claiming something is wrong with your package.
For instance, a woman in Wisconsin got an SMS claiming to be from United States Postal Services. The text claimed there was a mishap with her mail and she was to pay $3 to receive the package. She avoided being scammed after taking her phone to her local post office to see if the text was legitimate and being informed by the postal worker that the package tracking number was false because it started with letters.
This is just one example of many such kinds of text message scams that people are receiving. The text messages look so real that many have ended up paying the $3 fee and compromising their card details.
Image source: Unsplash.com
Fake Survey Links
Over time, we have seen many online survey scams that come in all sorts. In 2022, there were text messages asking users to take part in a survey, but in reality, they were phishing attempts with scammers hoping you may click on the link.
The links lead to pages designed to steal your personal information including credit card and bank information. Most of the surveys will even claim there is a reward after the survey to lure people into clicking the links.
Fake Lottery Messages
Getting notifications that you’ve won something is quite common but the most bizarre thing is, you did not enter the competition nor does the text say what you’ve won. On top of this, the text says you need to click on a link to claim your prize.
If you click on the link, the scammers will end up stealing vital personal information and details about your credit or bank account. These are phishing attempts disguised as text messages. Avoid clicking on them.
How to Protect Yourself From Text Scams in 2023
Text message scams have been around for a long time and since there are no signs of stopping, we have tips to help protect you from scammers. Since text scams will come in all manner of types, it's wise to be well-equipped to handle every message that comes your way. Here are some tips to help keep you protected from text scams in 2023:
- Avoid responding to text messages from numbers you don’t know
- Always confirm with the bank before sending any money or taking any action
- Avoid clicking on links in text messages in general, go to the website of the sender
- Avoid giving your number online as it can be used to target you with scams
For further reading, we recommend you read our blog How you can identify scams.
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