Financial expert warns: Attempted fraud via SMS - consumer advice center provides information about the dangerous smishing” scam

Financial expert warns: Attempted fraud via SMS - consumer advice center provides information about the dangerous smishing” scam

According to a report by www.merkur.de,

The consumer advice center warns against attempted fraud via SMS that allegedly comes from a parcel service and is part of a fraudulent scam called “smishing”. Criminals try to use fake parcel delivery SMS messages to trick consumers into clicking on dangerous links. Personal salutations are used to deceive the recipients.

These fraudulent messages contain links to strange websites that claim to help track a shipment or suggest that this is the “last chance” to pick up a package. Anyone who clicks on the link risks the distribution of harmful apps, data theft or access to subscription traps. Such fraudulent messages are spread through hacked databases, dubious address trading or the misuse of personal contacts in hacked smartphones.

To protect yourself from this scam, the consumer advice center recommends only receiving SMS from known numbers and using security apps with spam filters. In addition, we are advised to only pass on your cell phone number to people who are absolutely necessary and, in extreme cases, to change the phone number. The messaging service WhatsApp also recently introduced a new function to protect users from rip-offs.

This scam can have a significant impact on the market and consumers by affecting the trustworthiness of parcel services and SMS messages. Consumers could become uncertain and skeptical, which could lead to a decline in the use of these services. In addition, companies that use fake parcel delivery SMS could lose credibility and trust. This could ultimately lead to financial losses and reduce consumer confidence in the security of SMS communications and package deliveries.