There is a super dangerous text going around, according to the FBI. It’s a really scary picture of a ghost. Delete it immediately. You will be incredibly startled.
Obviously, it’s not a scary picture of a ghost. People are evil, but they’re not that twisted. This is just another ploy by scammers to take all your details and drain your bank account. Joke’s on them, though. I have no money, and my identity is on more no-fly lists than there are countries.
According to the FBI, these text scams have surged almost 700 percent in the past month across the US. They come in many forms, but the one to look out for currently threatens your driving license.
The messages will look official and contain a worrying message. People are being told by text that a DMV from another state is issuing a fine. The text will threaten the receiver with a revoked license or jail time if it isn’t paid.
Scam Texts Are Getting Smarter, Warns FBI
In many cases, the receiver of the text doesn’t even need to enter their details. The malware in the text or the links inside will install phishing programs on your phone. These then trawl through all your details and steal them.
The FBI has warned people to immediately delete the text if they get one. It is a scam, and the DMV will not contact people by text in this manner. Don’t even open it, simply ignore it, and delete the message from your inbox.
The scam plays on people’s fears of agencies like the DMV. Nobody wants to have their license revoked, and certainly nobody hopes to end up in jail. The urgent and official appearance of the message will trick many people into opening it and following the link. It’s so easy to accidentally catch a fine while driving, be it through speeding or parking.
The obvious solution is for everyone to stop paying any fines at all. If we all stop, there is nothing they can do about it, and the scammers and the DMV lose. That’s what I call getting two birds stoned at once.