What Is a Text Message Scam?
A text message scam, also known as a SMiShing attack, is a form of phishing. Phishing refers to using an email or phone message as a bait or lure to trick an unsuspecting target into divulging valuable information, such as account numbers, passwords, Social Security number, and the like or to trick him or her into downloading malware onto a computer. With a text message scam, similar techniques are used, except the medium used is the text message. The term SMiShing was coined in 2006 by David Rayhawk, a researcher at McAfee® Avert® Labs. There are a variety of ways that a text message scam may work. One way is to frighten the recipient. A message purporting to come from a financial institution is sent saying that an account will be closed or has been defaulted on or that charges will be made to the recipient’s account unless the recipient makes contact and provides necessary information, such as bank account number, username and password, etc. The recipient is either asked to message o
