00:00You've probably heard of phishing scams, or emails meant to trick individuals into providing personal information in which scammers can then exploit.
00:07However, the FBI is now warning Americans about a new smishing scam, where ne'er-do-wells are using text messages to acquire personal information.
00:16The Bureau says the texts appear to come from toll road services, delivery companies, and government agencies.
00:21And they use fake domains demanding payments which require personal and financial information to complete.
00:26The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center says they have received some 2,000 complaints since this time last year, revealing a growing problem.
00:34Here's what they say to be on the lookout for.
00:36They warn that scammers usually follow a format, claiming that you owe a small amount of money for unpaid something.
00:42They will also warn of a late fee that is usually greater than the amount owed, then directing you to a payment portal.
00:48Experts say another red flag is the text delivery, as legitimate agencies will never send payment requests via SMS.
00:55The FBI says that simply clicking the link could allow scammers to collect valuable personal information, or even steal your identity.
Comments