![]() If you get one of these texts, you should delete it and hit the option "Delete and Report Junk." You can also install anti-virus apps on your phone that scan for malware. "And you know now you've singled yourself out as something engageable." "They're sending billions of these out," Drake said. That could land you a spot on the fraudster's favorites list, a roster on the dark web of real names and phone numbers that other con artists use to identify more potential victims. "The problem is, you just admitted that you're a live phone number with a person on the other end," Drake said. And don't try to "mess" with the scammers by writing back as a joke. That means hackers can then try to figure out your passwords and dig for other personal information on your phone that they could use to commit identity theft.Įven if you don't download the photos, engaging with text scammers by just telling them your name can help them match your identity with your phone number to get more personal details. "Once they get them engaged, they'll send a photo of themselves in some interesting city which is filled with malware," said Chris Drake, chief technology officer at iconectiv.ĭrake said once you save the photo, that malware can be used to track your phone's keystrokes. Here’s how to set this up: Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone. The texts are comprised of seemingly normal conversation starters, like "good evening! What are you doing?" ![]() You must call from the phone number you wish to register. You can register your numbers on the national Do Not Call list at no cost by calling 1-88 (voice) or 1-86 (TTY). You may be tempted to answer, but experts said a response or the wrong move could give hackers access to your private information. The national Do Not Call list protects landline and wireless phone numbers. ![]() They don’t care if you’re on the National Do Not Call Registry. The texts could be as simple as a message saying "Hello," or even a photo of someone you've never met. Scammers can use the internet to make calls from all over the world. If you don't get such a warning, this means that the scammers are no longer using your number and there's no need to do anything.CHICAGO (WLS) - Experts warn mysterious texts from unknown numbers with seemingly innocuous messages could actually be a scam to infect your phone with malware and steal your personal information. You will likely receive a warning that this number is currently used by another account - agree to change the account for that number. Now, add the number the scammers "stole". Now, from your Google Voice account, click on the blue plus (+) button to add a second forwarding number. Once again, a six-digit code will be given to you by Google and you will need to enter it when you receive the call.Ĥ. If you don't get such a warning, this means that the scammers are no longer using your number and there's no need to do anything. This time, you should enter the code to verify the registration.ģ. Once you provide a forwarding phone number, Google will give you a six-digit code that you are supposed to enter when you receive a call on the forwarding number. The number you use here can later be removed from your Google Voice account.Ģ. When you are asked to provide a forwarding number, enter a phone number different from the one that the scammers "stole." You can use any other phone number as long as you can receive calls on it - you can ask a friend or a relative to give you their phone and thus allow you to use their phone number so that you could complete this step. If you already have a Google Voice account, skip to Step 4.ġ. First, visit and select Get Google Voice if you don't have a Google Voice account.
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