Hello... Is It Scams You're Looking For?

This scam involves a deceptive text message from an unknown number that simply says “Hello.” At first glance, it might seem harmless—just a friendly message or a text mistakenly sent to you instead of someone else. Because of its benign tone, you might feel inclined to reply.

However, beware! This seemingly innocent message is actually a form of text-based phishing, known as a smishing attack. Scammers send out countless similar messages to random phone numbers, hoping someone will reply. Once you do, they can confirm that your phone number is active and linked to a real individual. From there, the scammer may continue to message you, trying to gain your trust with the ultimate goal of stealing your personal or financial information. What looks like a harmless text from a stranger is actually part of a cunning scam.

To protect yourself from falling victim to smishing scams, follow these simple tips:
- If you suspect a smishing attempt, block the sender's number and mark the message as junk or spam on your device.
- Never share sensitive information like personal details or financial data via text messages, especially when you don’t know the sender.
- Ignore text messages from unknown numbers. Staying safe isn’t rude—it’s smart!