Scams
The $3.95 Text Isn't About $3.95
Fake delivery and unpaid-toll texts ask for a tiny fee because small amounts lower scrutiny; paying captures your full card details and confirms your number is active and responsive, making you a target for more fraud.
The useful part
Judge it by the link.
Sources behind this episode
- peer-reviewed experimental studyUnrealistic Promises and Urgent Wording Differently Affect Suspicion of Phishing and Legitimate Emails
- security industry reportingPhishing texts trick Apple iMessage users into disabling protection
- official consumer guidanceGot a text about unpaid tolls? It's probably a scam
- official government data reportTop text scams of 2024
- official law-enforcement advisorySmishing Scam Regarding Debt for Road Toll Services
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