Scammers are coming up with new sneaky ways to get access to your personal information through text message scams. The latest uses seemingly innocent photos of a hand holding up a wine glass without any additional context.
FSW student Isabela Sanguienty said, “I would just think someone had the wrong number and someone saying, ‘Oh look, I have a wine glass or something’. I wouldn’t really think much of it.”
“Um. I would think that I didn’t save the person’s number, and then somehow they reached back out and was like, “I’m chillin’. I’m having a nice night, and then I would feel bad I didn’t save their number,” said Lauryn Such.
Experts like Dennis Underwood, CEO of Cyber Crucible Inc., said in this case, numbers trace back to Google Voice. “You can tie the phone number to a computer very easily,” he said, “…which means I can have a computer send out images to a whole bunch of people. I’m not actually sitting there clicking away.”
He said sometimes, the photos are generated by AI. It may be tempting to respond. But if you’re unsure who the sender is, your best bet is to delete and block.
If you believe you were sent a spam or scam text message. The FCC advises:
- Do not respond to texts from unknown numbers or any others that appear suspicious.
- Never share sensitive personal or financial information by text.
- Think twice before clicking any links in a text message. If a friend sends you a text with a suspicious link that seems out of character, call them to make sure they weren’t hacked.
- If a business sends you a text that you weren’t expecting, call them to verify its authenticity using the number on your bill or statement or look up its number online.
- Remember that government agencies almost never initiate contact by phone or text.
- Report texting scam attempts to your wireless service provider by forwarding unwanted texts to 7726 (or “SPAM”).
- File a complaint with the FCC.
- If you think you’re the victim of a texting scam, report it immediately to your local law enforcement agency and notify your wireless service provider and financial institutions where you have accounts.
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