(WHNT) – Robocalls are annoying enough, but robotexts? According to the Federal Communications Commission, scammers are adding another tool into their arsenal to annoy Americans.
The FCC tracks complaints as opposed to actual call volume, but the agency’s own stats show complaints about unwanted text messages have risen steadily in recent years. Around 5,700 complaints were filed in 2019, 14,000 in 2020, 15,300 in 2021, and 8,500 through June 30, 2022.
Scammers want you to interact with them when they send you a text message, the FCC explains. They often use believable, but false, claims in an effort to collect your money or personal information, or to ensure your number is active for future scams.
What to Look For
These scam text messages can take many forms, according to the FCC, claiming:
- You have unpaid bills
- There was an issue with a package delivery
- There is an issue with a bank account
- You have an outstanding warrant or another issue with law enforcement
In all these cases, the FCC said these texts may use fear and anxiety, as well as confusing or incomplete information, to get you to engage with the scammer.
Scam texts, also known as “smishing,” often include some or all of the following:
- Comes from an unknown number and/or a number that’s 10 or more digits long
- Contains misleading/incomplete information
- Words that are misspelled to avoid…
