Romance scam In this scam, the criminal initiates a conversation that can start with a simple “hi.” Sometimes they pretend that a friendly message was sent to the wrong person. Hoping to make a connection, the scammer can drag it out over several days, eventually ending in asking for money.
Block and delete, don't respond. No one legitimately sends “hi” to an unknown party. If you respond you'll get more spam. Block, delete, ignore.
Clicking a phishing link in a spam text message can open your phone to security threats. If you don't enter any information or accept any downloads, your data may be safe. On the other hand, it's possible that suspicious files and malware were downloaded to your device through that malicious link.
If you reply, you'll start to receive more spam and scam texts and calls. Call a number listed in the text and disclose your personal information. Some spam texts include a phone number to call to stop a fake payment or deal with a made-up issue.
If you are getting spam texts, it's more than likely that whoever is sending you a spam text message is trying to get access to your personal information—bank accounts, passwords, social security number, online IDs and more. Spam texts don't come from another phone.
Tips for avoiding unwanted texts
Several mobile service providers allow you to block the sender by forwarding unwanted texts to 7726 (or "SPAM"). Check with your provider about options. Be careful about giving out your mobile phone number or any other personal information.
“A good general rule of thumb for a text from someone you don't know is to just ignore it or delete it,” says Stephen Cobb, senior security researcher at ESET, a company that makes antivirus and Internet security software for businesses and individuals worldwide.
If you start receiving spam texts, someone is likely trying to get ahold of your personal information. Because of this, it's crucial that you block and report the number without responding.
PhishLabs warns that replying to a phishing email, even if you know it's a scam, can lead to further attacks. Most phishing campaigns are automated and replying to them puts you on a scammer's radar. PhishLabs stresses that these people are criminals, and that they can be vindictive or even dangerous.
No—unless you hit a link included in the text. To avoid getting hacked, do not hit any link that comes with a text or email—unless you are absolutely sure of the sender's identity.
A: Yes, hackers can exploit vulnerabilities in text messages to hack your phone and gain unauthorized access to your personal information or control your device.
Go to Settings > Messages, scroll down to Message Filtering, then turn on Filter Unknown Senders.
So, the most common answer is, “I am fine”.
Blocking unwanted emails stops spam from reaching that email address permanently, but be careful how you go about doing it, because opening some spam emails can prompt a deluge of more junk emails from other spam accounts.
Spam Text Messages and Phishing
Scammers send fake text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information — things like your password, account number, or Social Security number. If they get that information, they could gain access to your email, bank, or other accounts.
Scammers can use the internet to make calls from all over the world. They don't care if you're on the National Do Not Call Registry. That's why your best defense against unwanted calls is call blocking.
Automatic deletion of emails
Once an email is deleted from the Trash or Spam folder, it cannot be recovered in the mailbox.
The text message is unsolicited (scammers will always contact you out of the blue). The text sender has a long phone number (10 or 11 digits). The phone number is “spoofed” (i.e., it looks like it's coming from someone you know or trust). The text includes a link that is most likely shortened or scrambled.
This can be from the sale of personal data by companies who you've given your number; it can be from data leaks; and also can just come from spammers randomly generating numbers. It goes without saying that you should never tap on any links in suspect messages or provide any data those messages request.
Phones get viruses the same way computers get viruses. Clicking on a suspicious link or attachment from unknown sources is a common way phones get infected . These attachments can be present in text messages, social media messages, or emails.