Posted
on Wednesday, April 16, 2025
in
Privacy & Security
Scam of the Week: This Refund Costs Money
In this week’s scam, you receive a text message that says you have an unpaid invoice, fee, or toll. It seems legitimate because the text message appears to come from a local organization, such as your government’s toll service, tax office, or postal service. It may even contain official logos and branding. The text instructs you to click a link so that you can pay the bill, or you will face a penalty.
However, the text message is actually a smishing message, a text-based phishing attack sent by scammers. If you click the link in the text message, you’ll be directed to a fake webpage that is designed to steal your personal and financial data. If you enter any information here, the cybercriminals will be able to steal it immediately. You won’t actually pay any bills, but you will pay the scammers!
Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to a smishing scam:
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Always be suspicious of text messages that you weren't expecting, especially if they are instructing you to take action.
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To check the accuracy of a bill, navigate directly to your account on the organization's official website or app rather than clicking links in text messages.
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Remember that legitimate organizations rarely demand immediate action via text message. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to try to trick you into acting impulsively.
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