FBI warns Android and iPhone users to delete these text messages immediately
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The
FBI
has warned Android and iPhone users to delete a specific type of dangerous text message immediately. The security agency noted that attacks related to these texts have surged by over 700% this month. These texts, identified as a threat originating directly from China, are targeting multiple cities and states across the US. The FBI's confirmation follows alerts issued by various police forces nationwide. Previously, "unpaid toll texts" had been a common issue for American smartphone users for over a year, but this issue has seen a significant decline recently, a report claims. These new "DMV texts" have now replaced them and are considered "more threatening" by attackers, suggesting that they have improved their methods.
How fake DMV text messages can 'trap' Android and iPhone users
According to a report by Guardio, the company has been monitoring a concerning rise in scam activity and 'spotted a 773% surge in DMV scam texts during the first week of June,' with no indication that the trend is slowing. These scam messages redirect users to phishing websites 'designed to steal people's credit card information and make unauthorised charges.'
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In a statement to Forbes, the FBI has now confirmed an investigation into the DMV scam. FBI Tennessee's Supervisory Special Agent David Palmer said that cybercriminals responsible for the
unpaid toll scam
have now 'pivoted to the DMV scam.'
He confirmed that these criminal operations are based overseas and warned that the texts can 'put malware on your phone, which then can go in and steal information from your device, or collect your payment information.'
Palmer also advised smartphone users that 'if you don't know who [a text] is from, don't click the link.' The domains used are intentionally misleading. As Guardio notes, 'scammers generate a new domain for almost every DMV text.
The format is usually the name of a state followed by a generic domain. Sometimes they include '.gov' as part of the URL to make the website appear legitimate.'
Cybersecurity firm Resecurity has also warned that the volume of scam texts is expected to rise significantly in the coming weeks and months.
As per the company, 'just one threat actor can send up to 2,000,000 smishing messages daily,' potentially reaching 'up to 60,000,000 victims per month, or 720,000,000 per year — enough to target every person in the U.S. at least twice annually.'
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