OKLAHOMA CITY – If you are like me, it seems like you get at least one scam call or text daily, often multiple. These scammers seek to catch people unaware, asking them to submit private information or go to a website that will hack into your computer or mobile phone to access personal information.
I want to remind you: never click on a link in an email or text message, even from someone you trust, as it might be a scam. Reply and ask if this is legitimate. Sometimes, though, the scammer might reply when someone has hacked a Facebook account. If it is suspicious, ignore the temptation to open it until you verify the message is of no threat.
The most common scam of late via text is “(phone carrier) Free Msg: bill is paid. Thanks, Here’s a little gift for you” with a web link. I decided to do some digging, and here is what I found. The good news is AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon all accept spam reports through a text report. Forward the message you received and type in the number 7726 (which spells “spam” on a phone keypad) to send it to your carrier. They will then ask for the number which contacted you with the message, and they will begin the process to investigate the scam. You should then block the number, and do not be afraid to ask for help from someone if you are technology challenged.
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