Smartphone Users: Avoid Replicating Text Messages Issued by FBI
In today's digital age, the threat of text message scams is ever-present. From wrong number messages to seemingly innocent texts that are actually a threat, these scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Forbes has published a report on such "innocent" text messages, explaining that they are carefully crafted to seem plausible and short, triggering curiosity. These messages, often a simple "hey" or "hello," may appear to be a wrong number or a lost contact, or even a continuation of a thread.
The FBI advises vigilance in such situations. Verifying the identity of the sender before replying to text messages is crucial. The scammers behind these fake wrong-number text messages are counting on the recipient to continue the conversation and exploit their friendliness.
Organized criminal gangs in China are conducting industrial-scale attacks on American smartphones via malicious text messages. These scams can lead to financial scams, romance scams, or even sextortion scams.
To combat this, a new initiative, Scam Checker, seeks to help users determine if a text message is real or malicious. Users can send a specific message for a one-time check, protecting not only themselves but also helping to keep others safe by sharing valuable information.
Current strategies to detect and protect against these scams focus on a combination of technology, user vigilance, and multi-layered defenses.
Reporting and Blocking Tools: Users are encouraged to forward suspicious texts to designated numbers like 7726 (SPAM) to alert mobile providers, who then implement network-level blocking of such texts. Telecom providers use spam filters and Universal Network-Level Call Blocking (UNLCB) to block messages with invalid numbers or obvious spoofing.
Caller ID Authentication (STIR/SHAKEN): This protocol helps verify the authenticity of caller ID information, preventing scams that rely on number spoofing. It uses digital certificates to confirm the caller identity and protect consumers from deceptive texts or calls.
AI-Powered Detection: Due to scammers using AI to generate highly personalized, context-aware messages that mimic trusted sources, detection tools now incorporate machine learning to analyze patterns and flag suspicious content faster than before.
User Education and Vigilance: Users are urged to critically evaluate unexpected messages, avoid clicking on links even if they look legitimate, verify requests for data or one-time passcodes, and scrutinize content for signs of fakery such as unusual phrasing or unsolicited offers.
Multi-Channel and Multi-Stage Defense: Because scams are increasingly multi-channel (text, email, calls) and multi-stage (initial friendly chat followed by scam pitches), coordinated protective measures across platforms are recommended, including combining SMS protection with email and phone call monitoring.
Limiting Digital Footprint: Reducing exposure of personal information on social media limits the data scammers can use to craft convincing messages.
Advanced Scam Tactics Awareness: Protection also involves understanding current common scams such as fake fraud alerts, package delivery scams, investment pitches, job offers requiring fees, and toll or utility payment claims, which remain prevalent.
Together, these technical measures, combined with user skepticism and reporting, form the backbone of defense against sophisticated SMS scams emanating from unknown numbers in 2025.
Unfortunately, losses to text scams hit $470 million last year, according to the FTC. It's essential to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to help combat these scams. If a user believes they are a victim of a scam, they should immediately end all communication with the perpetrator and contact law enforcement.
- The FBI advises that users should not reply to suspicious texts, especially those from unknown numbers, as cybercriminals often attempt to exploit friendliness in scams.
- To help combat text scams, the FBI encourages users to delete suspicious texts and consider using the Scam Checker initiative, which can verify if a text message is malicious.
- In the context of data-and-cloud-computing and cybersecurity, it's crucial for iPhone and Android users to stay vigilant against text attacks, as organized criminal gangs have been known to conduct industrial-scale attacks on smartphones via malicious texts, potentially leading to financial scams, romance scams, or sextortion scams.
