How to avoid falling into text message phishing scams

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) -Experts at AARP ElderWatch say text message phishing scams are one of the most common ways scammers go after potential victims.

“The most common text message scams we hear about at the moment are scammers who text someone and say there’s a package that can’t be delivered. It often comes from someone who says they work for the USPS, UPS or FedEx. These are very common right now,” says Mark Fetterhoff of AARP ElderWatch.

Often the text message asks you to call a phone number or click on a link for more information or to make a payment to collect the so-called ‘package’.

“If you see a text message asking you to call a phone number or click on a link, don’t do either of those things,” Fetterhoff said. “That’s what they want you to do. They’re going to ask for payment information. They may even try to access your device.”

Fetterhoff says it’s important to delete text messages if you’re not sure who the sender is.

“Last year we saw an increase in package text message scams during the holidays, and I expect that will be the case again this year,” Fetterhoff said.

To report fraud or financial exploitation to AARP ElderWatch, please call 1-800-222-4444 and select option 2, or click here for more information.