GW Cyber Risk - One Minute Read
The FTC provides information concerning fake text messages you might receive. We have included excerpts of the content below as well as a link to the full article. The article describes the problem, provides examples, as well as offers tips on actions you can take if you receive fraudulent texts. Our bottom-line advice, validate text messages prior to taking actions they request using one or more of the following:
- Pause and think before replying or following links. Even 'urgent' shipping notices can wait a few minutes.
- Check you order history on merchants' websites. You have alternative means to check on order shipping status.
- Review order confirmations and shipping updates in email messages to cross reference order messages.
- Contact the sender, whether it is your boss or someone else, through a trusted method to verify they were the author and confirm details.
How to Recognize and Report Spam Text Messages - FTC Article
Excerpted from: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages#what_to_do
If you have a cell phone, you probably use it dozens of times a day to text people you know. But have you ever gotten a text message from an unknown sender? It could be a scammer trying to steal your personal and financial information. Here’s how to handle and report unwanted text messages.
Spam Text Messages and Phishing
Scammers send fake text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information — things like your password, account number, or Social Security number. If they get that information, they could gain access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers.
Scammers often try to get you to click on links in text messages by promising you something. Scammers might
- promise free prizes, gift cards, or coupons — but they’re not real
- offer you a low or no interest credit card — but there’s no deal and probably no card
- promise to help you pay off your student loans — but they won’t
Scammers also send fake messages that say they have information about your account or a transaction. Scammers might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity on your account — but they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your payment information — but there isn’t
- send you a fake invoice and tell you to contact them if you didn’t authorize the purchase — but it’s a scam
- send you a package delivery notification— but it’s fake
The messages might ask you to give some personal information — like how much money you make, how much you owe, or your bank account, credit card, or Social Security number — to claim your gift or pursue the offer. Or they might tell you to click on a link to learn more about the issue. Some links might take you to a spoofed website that looks real but isn’t. If you log in, the scammers then might steal your username and password.
For more information and the full article please visit the FTC website https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages.
This post is presented by the GW IT Cybersecurity Risk and Assurance team.
#SecuringGW is a shared responsibility, so if you see something, say something. Report suspicious digital activities, including phishing emails, to abuse[@]gwu.edu.
IT Support Questions? For IT support, please contact the Information Technology Support Center at 202-994-GWIT (4948), ithelp@gwu.edu, or visit ithelp.gwu.edu.
