CFO Jimmy Patronis is warning Florida residents of an outstanding SMS scam that aims to lure victims with a good deal.
The crooks will pretend to be well-known companies like Walmart, Amazon or Verizon offering a lot of things that sometimes involve COVID-19, Patronis said.
Scammers then attempt to collect personal account information.
“Due to the pandemic and the fact that more Floridians are paying their bills and shopping on their mobile device, fraudulent text messages like this are on the increase,†Patronis said.
BBB Tips for Avoiding SMS Scams
- Treat messages from unknown senders with caution. If you receive a message from a number you don’t recognize, be careful. Many businesses are getting into SMS marketing, but keep in mind that consumers must choose to receive messages. If you haven’t authorized a business to text you, it is most likely a scam.
- Don’t click on links from strangers. Scammers often send shortened links that don’t let you see where they really lead in the body of their text message. If you click on the link, you may be taken to an unsafe website or you may download malware onto your device.
- Confirm transactions directly with the company before accepting. If you really hope the deal is legitimate, head over to the company’s official website and email them, or call to inquire. The company can let you know if the deal is real or not.
- Install antivirus software on your computer and mobile devices. This type of scam can come from text messages or emails, so make sure all your electronic devices are protected. Antivirus software can scan for malware and alert you before opening a link to a malicious website.