Area residents are reporting getting strange text messages recently in what is the latest avenue scammers are taking using mobile devices to try to harvest private information.

Kathy Whyte/ WNBF News
Kathy Whyte/ WNBF News
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“SMiShing”, like phishing schemes are meant to trick people into divulging financial and other sensitive information.

Recent reports involve texts saying a person’s credit card is cancelled or informing them they need to verify information to secure a bitcoin deposit in an account.

USA Today actually first reported bogus messages sent to smart phones via SMS or text in 2017.  That report warned messages could even be more personal with the pretense that someone you know wants you to check their latest profile, luring you to enter into an unsecure site.

Banking officials say financial institutions do not text customers or call them requesting financial or other personal information.  Banks, the IRS, Social Security Administration, police or other official agencies and organization also will not call you and ask for sensitive information over the phone or through email.

 

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