Fake bank text messages can come with a cost
There are ways to tell the difference between real and fake messages, and to protect yourself from being cheated out of your personal information
A scam that hit the area a few months ago is making a comeback just in time for the holidays.
The con artists fool you into sharing your personal information by posing as your bank or another bank, sending you a text asking that you update your profile information. Email versions of this scam exist as well.
The message comes with a link that may even include the name of the institution in the domain name. When you click on the link, however, you are taken to a website set up to look legitimate that has nothing to do with the institution it claims to be.
When you enter your sensitive information, you are essentially handing it directly to the bad guys. It's important to remember that text alerts should only come to your phone if you have signed up for them with your bank. If you suddenly start receiving them without requesting them, that's a huge red flag.
Also, any website used by a legitimate financial institution will have a website address that starts with https: rather than just http:. The added "s" represents added web security that banks use to ensure your online banking process is safe and private.
If you receive a text message from a bank that fails to meet the above criteria, your best move is to delete it. And if you have concerns, you should always contact the BBB. You can call them locally at 675-9351, or dial 800-552-4631. You can also visit them online at BBB.org.
Tommie Lee is the morning news anchor on the Truth Radio Early Edition. Dreama Jensen’s Scam of the Week is heard Thursday mornings at 6:45 A.M. and 8:45 A.M.
