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American consumers lost $ 470 million last year due to frauds that started with fraudulent text messages, according to The data of the Federal Trade Committee was issued on Wednesday.
The losses amounted to 26 % of a total of 2023 dollars of $ 373 million and a five -fold leap out of a total of 85 million dollars. FTC says the numbers are likely to represent a small part of the actual money lost in fraud because most financial fraud is not reported.
At the same time, the number of frauds that were reported in the past four years decreased, as it decreased from 332,000 in 2020 to 247,000 last year, when the amount of the missing money has jumped for each reported fraud.
Fraud texts have become more popular with Internet criminals in recent years, as consumers have turned from traditional email and laptops and instead they do more with their phones. In addition, the simple nature and diluted or hidden links increase the fraud messages more difficult to determine if they are sent as traditional email messages.
The most common type of reported text fraud to FTC in 2024 was the fraud processes, as the Internet criminals tried to impersonate a shipping company like UPS or FEDEX, or a major retail dealer like Amazon. They falsely send messages that there is a problem with delivery. They may say that there is a credit card problem that pays for this or that the delivery address must be re -inserted.
Other common fraud operations included Fake job opportunitiesIncluding the so -called important fraud that begins with easy online work performances, but it often deceives the “investment” of its own money. Other messages take the form of false fraud alerts that claim that there are suspicious purchases on their credit card or unauthorized entry to their bank account. The unpaid outcome It is also common for Internet criminals in recent months,
In addition, some Romantic fraud operations Get their beginnings with goods, apparently, it is from the wrong number, but then the deception takes a conversation with the potential victim and is trying to build a relationship online over time, in the end he asks them for money,
Regardless of the deception stadium, messages are attempts to obtain a recipient to deliver money or CodedOr banking card card information, credit card, or entry data accreditation data online or even most of its personal data such as their social security number.
Tips to avoid text fraud
Do not click on links in unwanted texts. Even if the text seems that it actually comes from your bank or your favorite store, it is better to go directly to the website of this company, instead of clicking on the link.
Think twice before delivering sensitive information. whether The request comes in the form of an email, text or phone callThink before delivering your personal or financial data. Is the company or the person who requires it really needs it? Even if the request is legitimate, the lower your information, the better.
Prepare the text filters and the well -known fraud numbers bloc. You can do this on apple or Android The phone, or through your wireless carrier. An external calling call applications can also stop messages. Do you need help? FTC recommends advice honor.
Reporting of fraud messages. You can do this through your Apple or Android Messenger app, but you can also copy the message and redirect it to 7726 (RAM). This will help your wireless carrier spot and prevent future fraud messages. Messages can also be reported to FTC in Reportfraud.ftc.gov.