How to identify SMS scams

Phishing has been around for a long time, though primarily in the form of emails. But cybercriminals are nothing if not ingenious, which made the leap to phishing texts, or smishing, the next logical step!

Increasingly, smartphone users are reporting the receipt of fraudulent texts, so here are some tips to keep you safe and your data secure.

In Quebec, 53.3% of adults have a smartphone, of whom 84.1%¹ use it for texting. So it should come as no surprise that texts have become the next frontier for scammers!

Increasingly, smartphone users are reporting the receipt of fraudulent texts, so here are some tips to keep you safe and your data secure.

Telltale signs of scam texts

Fraudsters are after your personal information, and they're trying to get it in just the same way they would if they sent you a phishing email.

Here are some things to look out for:

A request to click on a link to confirm your account
A warning about a problem with an existing account
A notification about an unexpected windfall from someone you don't know
Suggestions of urgency
An unknown number

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What to do if you receive a fraudulent text

If you suspect you have received a fraudulent text message:

Do not reply
Do not click on any links
If you have done one of those things, follow this procedure: https://www.desjardins.com/ca/security/phishing/index.jsp