The Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued a new warning about phone-based scams, with particular emphasis on “smishing” – a combination of SMS messaging and phishing tactics that targets victims through text messages. The alert comes amid a dramatic surge in phone-based fraud attempts throughout 2024.
The FBI’s alert specifically highlights toll-related scams, where messages impersonate state road toll authorities and claim recipients have unpaid tolls, threatening fines or license suspension. These messages typically contain links to fraudulent websites designed to harvest personal information. Package delivery scams using similar tactics have also become prevalent. In Massachusetts alone, hundreds of residents have reported receiving fraudulent EZDriveMA toll payment texts in recent months.
Scammers are actively working to circumvent mobile security measures. On iPhones, where Apple blocks links from unknown numbers, fraudsters attempt to bypass this protection by requesting recipients reply “Y” to unlock the message. While Android devices can block specific spam numbers, scammers simply switch to new numbers to continue their operations. The ongoing battle continues despite Google’s recent implementation of enhanced Android security features designed to combat such threats.
“They are constantly changing tactics,” said Aidan Holland, senior security researcher at Censys. “Apple doesn’t do anything about it… Android will add it to their spam list so you won’t get texts from the same number, but then the scammers will just change numbers.”
The rise in these scams has been partially attributed to artificial intelligence tools. “Greater access to AI tools helps cybercriminals create a higher volume of convincing text messages that trick people into sharing sensitive personal or payment information – like they’d enter when paying a toll road fine,” said Amy Bunn, online safety advocate at McAfee. The observation matches broader findings about AI-powered attacks becoming increasingly sophisticated in 2024.
To combat this growing threat, telecommunications companies like LG Uplus have begun deploying AI systems specifically designed to block smishing attacks and malicious URLs. Additionally, international cooperation is expanding, with anti-smishing initiatives spreading across multiple countries to create a more coordinated response to these threats.
Security experts recommend several protective measures, including avoiding clicking on links in unexpected texts, verifying legitimacy through known official channels, and reporting suspicious messages. The FTC advises forwarding unwanted text messages to 7726 (SPAM) and reporting scams through their ReportFraud.ftc.gov portal.
If individuals suspect they have fallen victim to a scam, they should take immediate steps to secure their personal information and financial accounts, including disputing any unauthorized charges.
Sources: Gov1, International Business Times, FTC Consumer Advice, FTC Phone Scams
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