Identifying Fake SMS

Technology advancements have opened up new possibilities for fraudsters to extort money and steal personal information from customers. If trapped, they have the capacity to cause chaos in one’s life. Fake text messages are a new and growing popular tactic.

According to a recent analysis, it was discovered that at least 70% of all cellular text messages are intended to deceive consumers in some way. Users are more likely to redeem SMS delivered coupons without giving a second thought. In terms of spam SMS, India ranks 8th position in the world.

India's users received 8.5 billion spam SMS, according to 2019 Truecaller’s insights.

With a profusion of digital transactions and services supplied by banks, financial institutions, and other sources, online fraud has witnessed a surge in India. One of the popular fake SMS scams of 2020 is the Walmart SMS scam which ruined many people’s lives. In this case, the fraudster sent a message that looked exactly like an official Walmart message. The purpose behind this scam was to obtain credit card numbers, PINs, account passwords, expiry dates, Bank account numbers, and even social security numbers. India is one of the countries where scam calls and messages are most prevalent.

What is Fake SMS?

Fake SMS is a type of deception used by criminals to deceive users into providing personal or financial information. In order to perpetrate fraud or Identity Theft, criminals use fake numbers. Fake phone numbers are generated by numerous applications and online forwarding services. These are temporary virtual numbers, and calls to them are forwarded to the phone to which the number has been assigned. The number is active for a preset period of time before it gets deactivated.

The sender uses a fake mobile number for OTP to get usernames and passwords, social security numbers, credit card numbers, and PINs. Other attempts try to trick individuals into downloading viruses or malware by convincing them to click on seemingly harmless links. Phishing texts, or smishing - SMS phishing, are other terms intensively used for it.

Types of Fake SMS

1. Spam SMS

These messages frequently assure the recipient that they have won a reward and request personal information, such as bank or credit card information.

2. Defamation SMS

These fictitious messages are generated solely to arouse jealousy and animosity toward a certain group or community. It is quite easy to develop a hoax against someone and propagate it through social media if a business poses a danger to someone.

3. Phishing SMS

Scammers use phishing to send communications that appear to be from a legitimate firm or someone the recipient knows and urge them to verify something with their personal information, such as passwords or bank account information.

4. Rumours SMS

These are messages that receive a lot of attention for a short period of time owing to a controversial issue. They hold no truth, just exaggeration and result in chaos—for example - new currency notes with a GPS tracking chip in it.

5. Reactivation Scam SMS

In this, the user gets a message informing them that their account has been hacked and instructing them to text a code or change their password through a suspicious URL to reactivate their account.

6. Promotional SMS

Many WhatsApp messages direct users to a certain website or request them to download an application. People accessing their websites eventually result in a large amount of traffic which brings in a lot of money for them. For example - according to the WhatsApp CEO, WhatsApp accounts will be deleted if you don’t install Gold/Silver/Blue or any other colour WhatsApp.

7. Malware Attacks SMS

It is a type of scam that uses mobile malware to send out malicious links to users. Fraudsters employ specialised strategies to persuade individuals to do something they aren't aware is risky.

8. Refund Scam SMS

In this, the user is told that they will get a refund from a service provider, but they must send specific information in order for it to be processed. By using the information given, the fraudster can acquire access to the victim's account.

9. Reward Scam SMS

The victim receives a text message claiming that they have won a prize or a vacation from a contest they didn’t participate in. The message also contains a link to a page where the user may enter personal information that the fraudster can use against them.

10. Spoofing SMS

In this, a fraudster sends text messages using the name or phone number of a well-known brand or corporation.

11. Delivery Scam SMS

Scammers may send bogus communications impersonating genuine carriers, asking for further information or extra costs from the receiver to assure the delivery of their items purchased online.

12. Family Emergency Scam SMS

In these fake SMS sender texts that the recipient's loved one has been in an accident or is in Financial Distress and needs immediate assistance. In a panic situation, the victim will send what is requested, oblivious to the fact that they are being tricked.

Most Common Platforms

The way users interact has changed as a result of smartphones and cell phones. With the advent of the technological revolution, everything has shifted online; scammers are finding new tactics to deceive people. As WhatsApp and Facebook remain the largest user base in the world, it results in generating more traffic and opportunities to scam people with misleading information. With the help of these social media platforms, scammers send fake SMS to the users either to disseminate false information or to obtain personal data to distort money.

Fake SMS Generator

There are many fake text generator applications available for Android and iOS that allow users to create fake text messages. These applications create genuine texts that may be used as a spoof or a hoax. The applications can be completely customised. Apart from it, fake text message apk is also popular among users.

There are also thousands of fake phone number applications accessible on the internet, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. These numbers can be used by users to send fake SMS or can be used as a temporary phone number for OTP. It is compatible with the majority of phone verification systems.

The quickest and easiest way to get a functional fake phone number is to look it up online. Different websites are also available for users to send a text message online from a fake number.

Early Identification of Fake SMS

Number

If a text message is genuine, it will typically come from a number with no more than ten digits. A six-digit shortcode or a 10-digit commercial long code is used to send marketing messages. More than that can be regarded as a fake text message.

Context

If a message sounds too good to be true, like “Congrats! You’ve won a BMW car, claim it now”, beware of it and avoid any action against the same.

Nature

Beware of text which is impersonal and generic in nature. For example - “Hello”, “Good morning” instead of addressing your name.

Urgency

If the message demands hasty decisions without any thoughtful approach, try not to fall into the bait. Messages stating something is wrong in an account or payment method is an example of it.

How to Avoid Being Scammed?

• Don’t reply to text messages, emails, or phone calls requesting your PIN or credit card information.
• Never share any personal information with unknown senders.
• Don’t answer SMS with a Call to actions like click on this URL.
• Pay attention to anything out of character.
• Call to action must be completed through legitimate channels only.

How to Report Fake SMS?

• Report it to your service provider so that spam SMS can be stopped at the source.
• File a complaint by contacting 1909 through the customer service executive.
• If the sender claims to be from a bank, government organisation, or company, contact the concerned party directly so they can make their own inquiry.
• On your messaging app, look for a way to report junk or fake number SMS.
• Users can register using TRAI DND 2.0 mobile app to file a complaint.

How to Stop Spam SMS?

Don’t Respond

Don’t reply to a text if you suspect it is from a fraudster. Replying verifies that your phone number is active, ensuring that you will get future SMS.

Reply STOP

If you receive spam text messages from an authentic organisation that isn't doing anything illegal but is simply annoying with too many offers or messages, just respond STOP to opt-out.

Block Numbers

Scammers send SMS using a variety of identities and numbers, but blocking irritating or spammy SMS on a regular Basis will slow them down.

Report

Reporting the number to the relevant authorities is one of the most effective methods to stop spam SMS. Also, notify the network carrier about the same. They can use the data to find out how to prevent spam text messages from being sent in the first place.

The Bottom Line

SMS marketing is used in a lot of scams, and some of them are more devious than others. SMS scams are becoming increasingly common as more individuals utilise mobile banking and internet shopping, making them easier targets for scammers and fraudsters. Being vigilant and suspicious might help you defend yourself against fraudsters who use technology to scam people out of their money. Before contacting someone through phone, SMS, or the internet, double-check their information. There is plenty of fake SMSes that have been rooted up to mislead the users. It is the end-user who needs to check on the information and act smart to identify what needs to be addressed and what needs to be ignored. Before responding to requests for information, use your best judgement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who sends fake SMS?

A. Individuals who aim to steal personal financial information send deceptive texts. These scams can be carried out from any location in the world, and they usually include the use of an unprotected email or web server.

2. Is it secure to use online banking?

A. Yes, it is safe to use. One must protect themselves from transactions that look suspicious.

3. What to do if I respond to fraudulent SMS?

A. If you respond to fraudulent SMS, change the personal information like passwords and report to the concerned authority immediately.

4. By what method do they obtain contact information?

A. * They can obtain information in the following ways -

• By an unsecured email server
• By combining first and last name to create email address randomly
• By spyware installed in pc
• By randomly combining the prefix carrier with numbers

5. How to spot fake messages on WhatsApp?

A. If the message is forwarded many times, there is a sign indicating forwarded message on top. It should be considered suspicious, and one must visit the official website to check the information.