Latest news with #DavidPalmer
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
FBI Tells iPhone Users 1 Text Message to Delete Immediately
The FBI has issued a new warning for iPhone users regarding a text-message scam that has been bombarding users lately. According to Forbes, messaging attacks on iPhone and Android are up more than 700% this month. One malicious text that has been making the rounds involves bad actors posing as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and demanding money for unpaid tolls or fines at the threat of possible loss of license or jail time. These DMV texts are more dangerous than the previous unpaid toll messages that have been popping up on people's phones for more than year, according to Guardio. 'These scam texts lead to phishing websites designed to steal people's credit card information and make unauthorized charges," Guardio told Forbes. Last week, WREG reported that the FBI is investigating the scheme. FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Palmer told WREG that the DMV messages are a "copycat" of the toll scam. 'It costs next to nothing for them to use these algorithms to send these messages and calls out, but in return, they can achieve getting your personal information, putting malware on your phone, which then can go in and steal information from your device, or collect your payment information,' Palmer said. Palmer added that upon receiving one of the texts, he immediately picked up upon wording clues that gave away that it was a con. 'A couple of things that I noticed immediately, on it, is the text message I received said it was from the North Tennessee Department of Motor Vehicles. So you know, obviously, there is no north or south Tennessee, a red flag immediately and also looking at the sender, the message I received was from email address @ obviously that is not a government address,' Palmer said. The FBI added that real government agencies will not contact you in this manner. The organization also advises any users to not click on links they receive in text messages from unknown sources and to delete the texts "immediately." This crop of DMV scam messages have been reported around the country, including Tennessee, Arizona, New York, Minnesota, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and Washington D.C. FBI Tells iPhone Users 1 Text Message to Delete Immediately first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 16, 2025
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
FBI issues nationwide warning to iPhone users about malicious text message — delete before it's too late
Which states have been targeted by this scam? Live Events What does the scam text look like? How can clicking the link put your data at risk? FAQs (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The FBI has sent out a warning to iPhone users all over the US about a new scam that could be very harmful. The message looks like it came from the DMV and is official, but don't be fooled. Authorities warn that clicking the link could severely compromise your phone's of Americans are being cautioned by the FBI to be cautious of a seemingly harmless text message that is circulating and to delete it right away if they receive text scams have long been a problem for Americans, Forbes reports that attacks on iPhone and Android users increased by more than 700% in just one New York, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, Washington, DC and other states are affected by these text scammers use the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of various states to trick unwary iPhone users into falling victim to their federal authorities claim that the latest scam is particularly FBI has told iPhone users about a phishing scam that looks like DMV texts that threaten fines or the loss of their license. These messages contain malicious links designed to steal your personal messages, which warn that failure to pay an unpaid toll or fine could result in the loss of driving privileges or even jail time, appear to be authentic. People are instructed to reply to the message and then click on the link that is included in the authorities advise users to immediately remove the text instead of clicking the link. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center is requesting that anyone who received one of these texts report to a statement from FBI Tennessee Supervisory Special Agent David Palmer, these texts have the potential to "install malware on your phone, which can then infiltrate and steal information from your device or collect your payment information."Palmer added that you should generally be cautious and avoid clicking on links that come from unknown numbers.'These scammers bombard phones with texts, hoping to fool unsuspecting people into giving up their personal information,' said New York State DMV Commissioner Mark J. F. Schroeder. The DMV will never text you for private scam texts direct users to phishing websites that are intended to steal credit card information and make unauthorized charges, as per a click on any links. As soon as possible, delete the message and report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint clicking on the link, you run the risk of infecting your phone with malware and having private data like passwords or credit card numbers stolen. It is meant to look official, which is why so many people are duped by it.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
FBI warns Android and iPhone users to delete these text messages immediately
Representative Image 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.' Your Money Vanished? The Truth About Online Scams & How To Fight Back! by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thị trường có dấu hiệu suy thoái không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo 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.'
New York Post
5 days ago
- New York Post
FBI issues urgent warning to 150M iPhone users: Delete this text as soon as you get it
The FBI is warning millions of Americans to be wary of an innocuous-seeming text message that's making the rounds — and to delete it immediately if they get it. (Surprise! It's a scam.) Americans have been bombarded with text scams for some time now, but according to Forbes, attacks on iPhone and Android users surged more than 700% this month alone. And the latest one's a doozy, the feds say. Advertisement 3 One particular text scam has caught the attention of the FBI. PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images Here's how the scammers trap unsuspecting iPhone users in their web — by posing as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of different states. The messages look like they could be legit, telling people that if they don't pay an unpaid toll or fine, they might be subjected to having their driving privileges revoked or possible jail time. Advertisement The text includes a link and instructs people to reply to the message then open the link. But officials warn that all of this is just someone trying to steal your personal data — and urged users not to click the link and rather immediately delete the text. These kinds of texts can 'put malware on your phone, which then can go in and steal information from your device, or collect your payment information,' FBI Tennessee's Supervisory Special Agent David Palmer said in a statement. 3 The text includes a link and instructs people to reply to the message then open the link. via NYS DMV Advertisement Palmer also noted that in general, if you get a link from an unknown number, you should exercise caution and not click on it. 'These scam texts lead to phishing websites designed to steal people's credit card information and make unauthorized charges,' a rep for Guardio, a tool that offers protection against malware, identity theft, and phishing on your browser, told Forbes. New York State DMV Commissioner Mark J. F. Schroeder added, 'These scammers flood phones with texts, hoping to trick unsuspecting people into handing over their personal information. DMV will never send texts asking for sensitive details.' 3 People across the country are getting scam text messages from people posing as the DMV. Getty Images Advertisement Those who received one of these texts are being urged to file a report with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. States reportedly affected by these text scams include include Tennessee, New York, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, and Washington DC.
Forbes
13-06-2025
- Forbes
FBI Confirms iPhone And Android Warning—Delete All These Texts
FBI confirms new DMV text attacks AFP via Getty Images Republished on June 13 with new calls on the federal government to intervene. Attacks on iPhone and Android users surged more than 700% this month, with malicious texts targeting multiple cities and states. Following alerts from police forces across the country, the FBI has now confirmed the latest warning and stepped in. This threat comes directly from China, and you need to delete all these texts immediately. As I reported earlier this week, the infamous unpaid toll texts that have plagued American smartphone users for more than a year 'have seen a significant decline recently. But the DMV texts that have replaced them are 'more threatening.' Attackers have learnt lessons from their unpaid toll texts, and this attack will be more dangerous. That's the warning from Guardio, whose researchers have been tracking these attacks for months. Its team 'spotted a 773% surge in DMV scam texts during the first week of June,' which shows no signs of slowing. 'These scam texts lead to phishing websites designed to steal people's credit card information and make unauthorized charges.' DMV scam surge Guardio Now the FBI has confirmed it is investigating the DMV scam. According to FBI Tennessee's Supervisory Special Agent David Palmer, the unpaid toll cybercriminals have 'pivoted to the DMV scam.' Confirming the gangs operate from overseas, Palmer warns these texts can 'put malware on your phone, which then can go in and steal information from your device, or collect your payment information.' Palmer warns smartphone users 'if you don't know who [a text] is from, don't click the link.' Those links use domains crafted to trick users into thinking they're legitimate. As Guardio explains, '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.' There will be millions of these texts sent out over the coming weeks and months. As Resecurity warns, 'just one threat actor can send "up to 2,000,000 smishing messages daily,' which means targeting '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 every year.' DMV texts Guardio Just as with undelivered packages and unpaid tolls, the FBI's advice is to 'delete any smishing texts received.' You don't want the dangerous links left on your phone, even though many are only active for a few hours before they're detected and blocked. This surge in fake DMV texts has prompted Senator Tina Smith to 'press the Trump Administration to stop the widespread text message scam affecting Minnesotans,' just one of the many states now affected. Smith says this is 'beyond a simple nuisance,' and 'jeopardizes the financial security of those it victimizes. And these messages threaten the peace of mind of thousands of Minnesotans who face the uncertainty of whether these messages are authentic. This scale and sophistication of this scam campaign calls for a federal response.' Arizona's Attorney General has also issued a warning to the state's citizens. 'No matter which agency they're pretending to represent, government imposters share a common set of strategies to steal your information and savings,' AG Kris Mayes says. 'Not only is the scammer trying to steal consumers' money, but if you click the link, they could get your personal info (like your driver's license number) — and even steal your identity.' Meanwhile, Oregon's DMV is the latest to warn its drivers. "These messages are not from Oregon DMV,' the DMV's Chris Crabb warns. 'These are fake messages designed to get you to click on a link and provide personal information or send money.' The new DMV attacks go beyond the late payment lure with the toll texts, these cite a non-specific traffic offense and threaten suspensions of driving licenses and vehicle registrations. They create a sense of panic and urgency to push users to engage. Just as with other text attacks, the advice is very simple. You must not engage in any way. Every one of these texts is a scam. If you have any doubts, contact your DMV using public channels. You can report the text. But you must delete it
