Information sourced from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Have you ever received a text or email warning you that something is wrong with one of your online accounts? Maybe it says your streaming account is about to be suspended unless you take action immediately. It might even include a link that claims to help fix your account’s problems. The message seems urgent and real. But is it?
Your first instinct may be to click the link to resolve the issue quickly. Don’t click. There’s probably nothing wrong with your account. In fact, it’s likely a phishing scam. Phishing occurs when scammers impersonate legitimate companies through emails or texts to trick you into giving up sensitive information.
Common Signs of Phishing Scams:
A phishing email or text might:
- Claim suspicious activity: It says there have been log-in attempts you didn’t make — but there haven’t been.
- Report a problem with your account: It claims there’s a problem with your account or payment information — but there isn’t.
- Ask for confirmation of sensitive information: It asks you to confirm personal or financial details — but you don’t need to.
What Real Companies Won’t Do
While legitimate companies may contact you via email or text message, they won’t send links asking you to update payment information or account details through a link. Only scammers use these tactics. Even opening a suspicious link without entering any information can put you at risk, as scammers may install harmful malware on your device.
How to Stay Safe
- Don’t click on links in unexpected emails or texts. If you’re worried something might be wrong with your account, contact the company directly using a verified method, such as a link or phone number you know is legitimate.
- Report phishing: If you think you’ve accidentally shared sensitive information, take action quickly. You can:
- Report the incident at IdentityTheft.gov and get a recovery plan.
- If you clicked on a suspicious link, update your security software and run a scan to look for viruses and malware.
Where to Report Phishing Scams
- Report the phishing attempt to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Forward suspicious text messages to SPAM (7726).
- Forward suspicious emails to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected].
By staying alert and knowing the warning signs, you can avoid phishing scams and protect your sensitive information from cybercriminals.