MyWireless.org Consumer Advisory – Beware of Criminal “SMiShing” Attacks on Your Mobile Device

MyWireless.org Consumer Advisory – Beware of Criminal “SMiShing” Attacks on Your Mobile Device

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--National consumer advocacy coalition MyWireless.org® warned wireless consumers across the country today about the latest scam for identity theft on wireless devices. By responding to a seemingly-legitimate text message, wireless consumers could place themselves at great risk of having their identity or personal information stolen by crafty cyber thieves.



The phenomenon is known as “SMiShing” (which is a combination of ‘Short Message Service’ text messaging and email ‘Phishing’). The simple bait-and-hook fraud works like this – crooks use auto-dialing or roll-texting computer programs to text you on your wireless device (the bait). You see what appears to be a harmless, but unsolicited and possibly urgent, new message, such as ‘Notice! Hurry, your credit card has been deactivated or suspended, go to this website to get help!’ You might be in a rush, or perhaps think the message is from a trusted source such as your bank, so you hit send to visit the website (the hook). Suddenly, you’ve unwittingly exposed yourself. Crooks can use the Internet connection to attach dangerous spyware, malware, viruses, or spam that give them control of your device and access to your personal data. Sometimes, the scam doesn’t involve a web link, but rather gives a phone number to call back, where the scam artists will “phish” for your personal information by posing as representatives of your bank or other trusted company.



Brian Johnston, MyWireless.org’s Director of Communications and Federal Advocacy said, “Scamsters have tricked consumers into giving up their entire personal information and financial histories online. Unfortunately, we’re now seeing these attacks moving to wireless. Unless you recognize the contact, always be skeptical about the texts you receive, and particularly those that request a reply. Should you ever receive an urgent text message asking you to ‘Verify’ or to ‘Activate’ anything, don’t take the bait. Immediately delete the text and contact your bank and your wireless provider.”



Wireless companies have detected a pattern of SMiShing texts in recent months, although some reports of the scam date back to 2006. Wireless companies invest substantial resources to develop and implement spam blocking technologies so that users can safely use their wireless devices with their personal and financial data protected. As more wireless subscribers use SMS text messaging, they are urged to use caution if a suspicious message of any type appears on their wireless device.



To learn more, or to report an incident if you suspect you have received a form of “SMiShing”:



Federal Communications Commission Consumer Facts – http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/canspam.html

Federal Trade Commission SPAM Rules and Acts – http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/spam/rules.htm

MyWireless.org® is a nonpartisan non-profit advocacy organization, made up of wireless consumers, businesses and community leaders from around the country, supporting reasonable pro-consumer wireless policies. To learn more, please visit www.mywireless.org.

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