It’s not just you. Spam texts on the rise in Charlotte. Here’s what to do about it.
Spam phone calls have been an issue for a long time, but scammers are getting creative by sending text messages to steal your personal information.
Complaints about unwanted texts have risen steadily nationwide in recent years, from around 5,700 in 2019 to 8,500 through June of this year, according to the Federal Communications Commission. RoboKiller, a company that offers call-blocking services, estimated that consumers received more than 12 billion spam texts in June.
In Charlotte over the past year, twice as many people filed complaints with the FCC over spam texts compared to the average number of complaints from the four years prior, according to data from the agency. Since August 2021, 67 complaints were filed specifically about spam text messages.
Text-based scams often include links that lead to a fake website where a scammer tries to retrieve the login information you enter, according to Patrick Webre, the chief of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at the FCC.
Here are some other ways scammers can try to steal your information through a text, and what to do if you get one.
How scams via text message work
According to the Federal Trade Commission, text scammers use a variety of tactics to lure victims, like promising free gift cards, no interest credit cards or help with student loan payments — and they could ask for personal information like your bank account or Social Security number to claim them.
Scammers could also send fake messages saying they have information about one of your financial accounts or transactions, including:
Saying they have noticed suspicious activity on your account.
Claiming there’s a problem with your payment information.
Sending you a fake invoice and telling you to contact them if you didn’t authorize the purchase.
Sending you a fake package delivery notification.
How to report spam texts, calls
If you get a spam text, you should not send any personal information or click any links in the message, according to the FTC. If you think the message is legitimate, you should contact the company on a trusted website.
Spam text messages from unknown senders can be blocked on your phone, through your wireless provider or with a call-blocking app, according to the FTC.
You can also report the messages by:
Looking for the option to report junk or spam in your messaging app.
Copy the message and forward it to 7726 (SPAM).
Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
