Tech
Scam texts, and the ones that are hardest to spot
Text-based scams have become the most common first contact, and three patterns cover most of them.
The delivery notice is the most widespread: a message about a parcel with a small fee or a redelivery link. It works because almost everyone is expecting something, and the link collects card details rather than a fee.
The wrong number conversation is slower and more damaging. A friendly message apparently sent in error develops into an extended exchange and eventually an investment opportunity. The tell is that the conversation always arrives somewhere financial.
The urgent authority message claims to be a bank, a tax office or an employer, and asks for a code, a payment or a change of details. No legitimate organisation asks for a one-time code, and no real tax office opens with a text demanding payment.
Report rather than reply. Forwarding spam texts to the short code 7726 reports them to carriers at no cost, and replying to any of them confirms the number reaches a person.
What to do next. Forward scam texts to 7726, never reply, and reach any organisation through a number you found yourself.
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