5 SCAM text messages you need to delete (and report) 2021
There has been no shortage of scam text messages doing the rounds in 2021. Five in particular have been popping up again and again. If you see one, delete it and report it.
And remember, don’t click on links in text messages or emails that you were not expecting. Such texts can appear to come from anyone, and consequently the links they contain can take you just about anywhere.
You can report these scams to the entities they claim to represent and to your country’s law enforcement. Our sister site ThatsFake.com has more information about this information.
1. Parcel Delivery Text Scam
Perhaps the most popular scam text is the claim that you have a package waiting for you, and the courier company (or shop) is just waiting for you to get in touch to sort a time, or perhaps pay a small delivery fee.
However, the links in these messages will leading to spoof scam websites designed to steal any information you enter into them. So if you enter your personal information, you could be the victim of identity fraud. If you enter financial information, you could give crooks access to your bank accounts. And if you download software (like a so-called “tracking app”) you could wind up with a malware infection.
The below text appears to come from Hermes, but it’s a scam.
If you’re not sure, phone the delivery company directly via the contact information on their website.
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2. Suspicious Activity with your Bank Account Text Scams
If the aim is to panic a recipient into clicking a link in a text message, there is no better way to do that than by sending a text that appears to come from the recipient’s bank about some type of suspicious activity.
The scammers are hoping the recipient will be too alarmed to realise the link they click on is actually directing them to a spoof website designed to look like their bank’s website. But it isn’t, any information they enter into it will be stolen. Including their login information.
3. COVID Tax Relief Text Scam
Many countries have launched various tax relief or income support schemes amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and again this is something that scammers can take advantage of. Scam text messages claim that you can claim your relief or support by clicking a link, but instead they direct you to spoof, data harvesting websites.
4. Come Get Your Vaccine Scam Text
Many of us are waiting to be invited to get the vaccine amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Scammers are taking advantage by sending scam texts claiming you can book your vaccine appointment by clicking a link.
Again these are spoof websites designed to steal information. And many of these sites are also asking visitors to PAY for the vaccine – money that then gets sent straight to the scammers. In case there was any doubt – the vaccine is FREE. You’ll never be asked to pay to receive it.
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5. Missing or Incorrect Census Information Scam Text
Claiming that your Census information is either missing or incorrect is a popular way of tricking recipients into clicking a link. Especially when it happens to be a Census year, which 2021 is in the UK.
Scammers love spoofing the Census because it is, after all, a survey that asks people to give away personal information about themselves, which is what scammers want us to do. Text messages about missing or incorrect information, often veiled with threats of fines, are a popular method of luring victims to spoof websites.