Beware of Holiday Delivery Scams: Spotting Fake Shipping Notifications and Texts

"Smishing" is a form of phishing where scammers attempt to obtain personal and banking information through unsolicited text messages. They often pose as government agencies, businesses, or package delivery services. Americans lost $330 million to smishing scams in 2022. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited messages asking for personal information, be suspicious of urgent requests, and verify with the source by calling instead of relying on text messages. To block smishing messages, use filtering options on your phone and report them to your wireless provider or the FTC. If you've already fallen victim to a smishing scam, get your computer checked for malware, stop communication with the scammer, and report the incident to your bank and relevant authorities.