There are some HM residents receiving Scam Text Messages and asking what to do. Know that this is a Nationwide problem and not limited to Hershey’s Mill.
December 14 & 28 2022, the Technology Committee gave a Zoom presentation on Email, Text and Phone Scams, How to recognize them, How to determine if the messages are real or scams and What to do about them. The following is a brief portion of the Zoom Presentation concerning Text Messages.
Why Am I Getting Spam Text & Email Messages?
It may be because of your online activity: websites where you’ve registered or bought something online.
Many companies sell your personal information. You may provide your email address and even a phone number for all kinds of things you want access to on the web. The next thing you know, you are getting spam texts & emails.
But it could be completely random. If you’ve got a cell phone, then you’re “eligible” for spam texts.
Is It Spam or a Scam?
If you don’t recognize the source of a text or email message, it’s safest just to go ahead and assume it’s a scam. Replying to suspicious texts or emails can lead to a number of bad outcomes including:
Phishing Scams
Identity Theft
Unintended Subscriptions and Opt-Ins
What To Do About Spam Text or Email Messages
If you get a text or email message you weren’t expecting and it asks you to give some personal or financial information, don’t click on any links. Legitimate companies won’t ask for information about your account or provide a link by text or email.
If you think the message might be real, contact the company using a phone number or website you know is real. Not the information in the text message.
If you think the Text Message is a Scam or Spam message, the best course of action is to Delete the Message. Responding in any way tells the Scammers that this is an active number and they will keep messaging. Scammers often message different scams or the same scam from different phone numbers. Scammers will sell a list of ‘active’ numbers – so, delete, don’t respond.
Already responded? If you have already begun to engage in any way with a Scam Text, such as a Package Delivery Notice or any other type of Text, stop engaging immediately. Do not be tempted to respond any further.
Block the number and report the number as detailed below.
Typing in STOP
If the text is from a known entity, for example a political, solicitation or advertisement text, and you no longer wish to receive the texts from that known entity, simply text one word: STOP. No more, no less, just the Word STOP.
Typing in Stop is an automated feature required by the government for all Texts.
Blocking Text Scams From Your Phone
iPhone
From the Messages app, open the conversation, tap the contact at the top of the conversation. Tap the ‘info’ button, scroll down, then tap Block this Caller.
Android Phones
Open Your Phone App, Tap More, Go to Call History, Tap a call from the number you want to block.
Tap BLOCK/Report Spam
The contact won’t get a notification that the call or message was blocked.
When you block an email address from Mail, it goes to the trash folder.
Email blocking works across all your Apple devices.
For Mobile Phone assistance: If you are having any trouble Blocking on your phone, dial 611 from your mobile phone and ask for assistance.
How to Filter Unwanted Text Messages or Stop Them Before They Reach You:
Through Your Wireless Provider: Your wireless provider might have a tool or service that lets you block calls and text messages.
Check out ctia.org, a website from the wireless industry, to learn about options from different providers or Dial 611 from your Mobile Phone and ask your Mobile Carrier.
With a Call Blocking App: ctia.org
What do you do if you get spam or a message you didn’t consent to receive?
Forward it to 7726 (SPAM) so your carrier can put a stop to it.
See the website of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to learn about more ways that scammers target unsuspecting people via text.
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-report-spam-text-messages
Final Thought
If you get a suspicious text but think it might be from a legitimate source, don’t reply to the text. Instead, contact the person or company using a phone number or website that you’ve confirmed is authentic. Never use the contact information in the text or email message.