Social media users are getting into big legal trouble. Here’s why financial advice on TikTok is to blame, in one minute.
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5 text scams going around right now
It’s not just clingy exes popping into your messages out of the blue. Scammers are ramping up phony texts across the country. You can make the texts stop (more below). Here are the latest ones making the rounds and the red flags to watch for:
🚨 Fake missed toll or parking ticket
The FTC just warned about this one. You get a text claiming you have unpaid tolls or a parking ticket and must pay immediately to avoid late fees or legal trouble. The link takes you to a fake payment site that steals your credit card or driver’s license info.
💰 Nonexistent tax rebate
Scammers love free money, yours, that is. After the IRS announced stimulus payments for 2 million people in December, crooks started blasting texts saying you’re owed a $1,400 rebate. The link? A phishing site set up to steal your personal details or install malware on your phone.
👋 “Oops, wrong number!”
This one plays on human kindness. It starts with a vague message like, “Hey, is this Jessica?” or “Oops, wrong number!” If you respond, they’ll keep chatting, slowly steering the conversation toward a scam investment, a fake emergency or a malware-infected website.
📱“Suspicious activity” on your Apple ID
Scammers are texting about “suspicious activity” on your Apple ID, urging you to call a fake support line. Once they have you, they’ll try to steal your personal info or even take control of your phone to install spyware.
📫 USPS “delivery issues”
If you get a text about a “delivery issue” or needing to “confirm your address,” don’t fall for it. Scammers are sending fake USPS messages with links that steal your personal info. USPS never asks for sensitive details over text.
How to shut scammers down
Why you can’t access some sites while you’re on a VPN and what to do
Photo © Tero Vesalainen | Dreamstime.com
Let’s say you’re browsing the web with a VPN. You’re protecting privacy, so you’re confident hackers and advertisers can’t track you. Then you try to go to a site, and it just won’t load.
This can throw a wrench into productivity when working. Or it can ruin your mood when trying to have fun online.
TikTok GenZers getting into trouble
I warned you about this months ago: If you get a text from E-ZPass or SunPass about unpaid tolls, fines or legal trouble, delete it. Chinese cybercriminals are behind a campaign sending fake messages across America. Click the link and you’ll land on a copycat site of a real toll services company, ready to steal your payment info. Never follow a link to pay a bill; go to the official site yourself.
🚨 Heads-up, drivers: Scammers are sending fake phishing texts claiming you need to pay your FasTrak bill to avoid late fees or you’ll be in big legal trouble. Don’t fall for it! It’s a ploy to trick you into clicking a bogus link to steal your personal info and drain your wallet.
Zuckerberg waves shiny object to re-direct attention from scandals
You can always gauge how much legal trouble Facebook is in by how many shiny new toys it puts in front of consumers. Today, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled a re-redesign of the social media site, but does it really matter? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices