Consumer Alert
Have you been getting scammy text messages?
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If you get tons of scam text messages, you’re not alone. Lots of people have been reporting to the FTC that they’re getting texts from scammers impersonating people and organizations you know and trust — like your bank or companies like Amazon. An analysis of consumer reports reveals the top text scams from 2022. So, what are they? And how do you avoid them?
The latest FTC Data Spotlight explores how text scams try to get you to act NOW. Whether it’s the thrill of getting a free item or the panic about a large unauthorized charge, scammers know that these texts are hard to ignore. The most-reported text scam looks like a fraud alert from your bank, but it’s fake. It might say there’s suspicious activity on your account and tell you to call a number. Or to reply “yes or no” to confirm a big purchase (that you didn’t really make). But don’t do it. There is no real problem. They just want your money or personal information.
Another common text scam promises a “free gift”— if you click a link. But then they ask you for payment information to cover the “shipping cost.” If you give it, you’ll get unauthorized charges on your account…and no free gift.
So how do you avoid these and other text scams?
- Don’t click on links or respond to unexpected texts. If you think a text might be legit, contact the company using a phone number or website you know is real. Don’t use the information in the text message.
- Report text scams. Forward them to 7726 (SPAM). This helps your wireless provider spot and block similar messages.
And if you spot a text scam, the FTC wants to hear about it. Tell us what happened at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
2022 I got scammed by Apple, did what I was told to get 3 Apple gift cards read the #’s and it was a scam! contacted,made a police report,no response from Apple!
Again I got scammed by Amazon a bedspread purchase but they sent the wrong size so I made called a phone# listed by Google on Corpus Christi Texas listed followed the instruction they too @ $1000 from some numbers but I didn’t give acct not the account # WF bank! I’m 80 yrs old and
embarrassed to call or go to my bank! I believe now the phone #’s listed are false, I don’t have a legitimate phone # to Amazon,afraid to call,when I call the first time that the purchase was the wrong size the clerk say oh we will send the correct size! 3 days later I rec’d the same wrong size! That’s when I called the listed # google showed 3#’s I chose one of them,but I found out those where the scammers! I’m a widow 1 1/2 yr. I’m afraid to now call Amazon because it might be the wrong #!
Now are you legit? Sorry for long my story😢
I have been scammed no one does a thinv files reports with the ftc fir fraud more then once idenity fully stolen never hear anything back it hust gets worse and you never hear anything on your repirts after you file legitimate fras and scams
I have done thaf filed idenity theft reports fraud alerts on credit reports the people got all my information from data breaches so they just use nanes you trust or impersonate famous people scam you and never hear from internet crims or ftc while zelle and cash app allow the crimes to happen
I get about 11 text messages from the GOP for a George daily
I have reported it on the 7726 as spam with no stopping of them
It is all from different numbers so I'm guessing robocalls
They are interfering with my doctor and hospital visits as I have cancer
Can you please notify them to stop
Any help would be much appreciated thank you
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Who is this? What is it?
I ve been with Founders car. Ins. Company. They usually text me a thank you for your payment. I m not sure if I paid last month. How can I see my past messages from messages about from July to Aug 11 th. I need to see if I paid. Think I did. Help me check please
Mine is a pop up add saying $750 has been added to my account.
No I haven't received spam from FFCU