The FBI is warning Americans about a dangerous new text message scam that’s spreading fast — and urging everyone to delete it immediately.
According to Forbes, text scams have jumped over 700% this month, targeting both iPhone and Android users. The latest scam involves messages pretending to be from state DMVs, claiming you owe a toll or fine. The message threatens license suspension or even jail time if you don’t pay — and includes a link to click.
But it’s all fake. The goal is to trick you into handing over personal or payment information, or even infect your phone with malware.
FBI Special Agent David Palmer advises people to never click on links from unknown numbers and to delete suspicious texts right away.
“These scam texts lead to phishing websites designed to steal people’s credit card information and make unauthorized charges,” a Guardio rep, a browser protection tool against malware, identity theft, and phishing, told Forbes.
New York State DMV Commissioner Mark J. F. Schroeder emphasized that scammers are targeting people by sending out mass text messages in an effort to steal personal information. He clarified that the DMV does not send texts requesting sensitive details. Authorities are urging anyone who receives one of these scam messages to report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
States hit by the scam include Tennessee, New York, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, South Carolina Washington, DC and more.
