Sister station WGAL has a closer look at the flood of scam text messages viewers are reporting. If you are getting more of these messages, you are not alone.
The message tells you your bill is paid for March. It also says, "Thanks, here's a little gift for you," and there is a link.
Don't click the link.
A scammer can hide anything they want behind that link. Clicking on it could cost you money or your personal information. It could also cripple your phone.
When this text message started circulating a few weeks ago, it seemed to be going to Verizon wireless customers only. But now customers of all cell carriers are reporting it.
Scam text messages are on a pace right now to outnumber scam calls. Tel Tech, a company that makes anti-spam tools for phones, said scam text messages increased by 30% worldwide from February through March.
There are two quick ways to spot scam texts:
- They usually come from 10-digit phone numbers.
- They have very bizarre web links.
Avoiding this scam is simple: Do not click on any links in suspicious text messages.