Hi finbarr,
Thank you for contacting Public Mobile.
This seems to have all the signs of a SMiShing (SMS phishing). This is a form of phishing, SMiShing occurs when a fraudster sends you an SMS/text message asking you to provide sensitive, personal, and/or financial information via a Web link and false website, or via a telephone number.
Here are some general tips to share with your end users to help them from falling victim to SMiShing.
- Avoid clicking links within text messages, especially if they are sent from someone you don't know. But, be aware that attack messages can appear to come from someone you do know, so think before you click.
- Don't respond to text messages that request private or financial information from you.
- If you get a message that appears to be from your bank, financial institution, or other entity that you do business with, contact that business directly to determine if they sent you a legitimate request. Review this entity's policy on sending text messages to customers.
- Beware of messages that have a number that says it is from "5000" or some other number that is not a cell number. Scammers often mask their identity by using email-to-text services to avoid revealing their actual phone number.
- If a text message is urging you to act or respond quickly, stop and think about it. Remember that criminals use this as a tactic to get you to do what they want.
- Never reply to a suspicious text message without doing your research and verifying the source. If your bank is really going to cancel your credit card, you should be able to call the number on the back of your card to discuss this matter with them.
- Never call a phone number from an unknown texter.
finbarr, I hope that I was able to assist you with your request and that my resolution meets your expectations.
Respectfully,
Bladimir R.
]
