Have you ever received a text message saying you owe money for tolls you never paid? Or maybe you've gotten a message saying you've won a gift card. These are common tricks used by scammers to steal your information or money. This is known as smishing, where scammers use text messages to trick people. And yes, it's a growing problem.

        In February, Americans received a staggering 19. 2 billion spam texts. That's a huge increase from just a few months earlier. Companies like Robokiller and Truecaller, which help block spam, have seen a big jump in reports of these annoying and dangerous messages.

        So, why are you getting these messages about unpaid tolls? Scammers are always finding new ways to trick people. They might pretend to be from a gas company, an electric company, or even a local government agency. They adapt their tactics to take advantage of events and moments of confusion. For example, when New York City started charging for driving on certain roads, scammers quickly sent out fake texts about unpaid tolls. This isn't just happening in New York. Drivers in many states have received similar messages.

        These scams can happen anytime, but they often increase during busy travel times like spring break or summer vacations. The FBI has seen a rise in these types of messages, especially last spring, where scammers asked for payment of an "outstanding toll amount. "

        So, how can you protect yourself? First, register your phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. You can also ask your phone company for help, but be aware that their abilities to block spam vary. Be careful with any texts, calls, or emails asking for your username or password. Look closely at any URLs or email addresses for typos or differences from the websites you normally use. Never click on links in unsolicited texts, even if they say you can opt out of future messages.

        If you're not sure if a message is real, look up the company's phone number yourself and call to ask if the request is legitimate. You can also report fraud attempts to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center or use your phone's 'report junk' option to report unwanted texts to your messaging app or forward them to 7726 (SPAM). After reporting, delete any smishing texts. The Federal Communications Commission has more advice for reporting and blocking unwanted calls and texts.

        Most of these scam texts come from organized crime rings. They can send out millions of fake messages in just a few hours. But they have to move quickly because phone numbers often get blocked once there are enough complaints. Phone scams target people of all ages, but surprisingly, younger adults are more likely to fall for them. A report from Truecaller found that people between 18 and 44 are three times more likely to be successfully targeted compared to older adults. Older people are often more cautious and less likely to answer calls or texts from unknown sources.

Spam Texts: How to Spot and Stop Them

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