*Latest Trend In Identity Theft: "Smishing" Is New Twist On Old "Phishing" Computer Scams* CHICAGO (CBS) --
"Smishing" is the latest trend in identity theft. Criminals are basically cashing in on the popularity of banking text alerts, by sending their own SMS or text messages to gather sensitive banking information. We've all heard of those "phishing" computer scams, but how about "smishing?" It's a new twist on the old scam, aimed at taking advantage of people who use banking text alerts. As CBS2's Mai Martinez reports, one text could cost you everything. On the surface, it looks like a legitimate text message from your bank, warning you that your account has been locked. But call the number and provide the information requested, and you could lose every cent in your bank account. "They can act on it within seconds," said Steve Bernas, President and CEO of Chicago'sBetter Business Bureau. Bernas explained "smishing", as it's called, is the latest trend in identity theft. Criminals are basically cashing in on the popularity of banking text alerts, by sending their own SMS or text messages to gather sensitive banking information. "It's the new medium for them, and the scam artist picked up on it, and we get calls every day," said Bernas. One of those calls came from Tina Chapa who received a text message saying her Visa account was closed due to insufficient funds. "I knew that was not true because I keep up with it," said Chapa, who had her identity stolen nine years ago in an unrelated incident. Chapa said she was suspicious, so she called the number to find out more. "It's like an automated machine that says 'type in your Visa number.' Then it hung up on me," she remembered about the call. Chapa said she knew something was wrong, so she called the BBB. According to the BBB, you don't even have to be signed up for the banking text alerts to get the scam text messages. Bernas says the criminals just use computers to generate random cell phone numbers, and then text message unsuspecting consumers. "They just throw everything at a wall, the proverbial wall, and see what sticks," said Bernas. And he added, unlike computers, cell phones don't have spam filters to catch suspicious text messages, so if it's a working number, the text goes through. Knowing what was at stake, Tina Chapa feels lucky she was smart enough to use a fake account number when she called. "It takes your number and hangs up on you," she said. "And you don't talk to a person, and next thing you know, you have no money in your account. That's actually scary." The BBB says if you receive one of these text messages you should alert them and your bank. If you think it might be legitimate, call your bank, but use a number you know, not the one provided in the text message. The BBB also says consumers are often protected against this type of financial loss by their bank's insurance, but they caution, clearing up the identity theft could take years. ((c) MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "nforceit" group. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/nforceit?hl=en-GB.
