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Topics: Social Media, Phones, Crime, Money
Emily Brown
Police have issued a warning to all phone users over a simple text that could put you in danger - no matter how legitimate it might look.
Another day, another scam warning. It seems like determined criminals always have a new trick up their sleeve to trick innocent victims, so authorities took to Facebook this week to urge members of the public to remain vigilant.
This particular warning came from Hampden County Sheriff's Office in Massachusetts, though similar scams have been reported elsewhere in the US.
It all starts with a simple text from a number that's not in your phone contacts, and it explains that you're being contacted in relation to an ongoing investigation.
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The text claims that the sender has repeatedly attempted to make contact, reading: "This call is to notify [you] that this is our second attempt to be made to serve you a notice of action pertaining to an investigation being finalized against you."
The text then goes on to encourage the recipient to call back for 'further details on the case or to change its active service status'.
"Please reference case number 1112525814," one example of the text reads, adding: "Failure to contact them immediately will result in further legal action against you."
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Sheriff Nick Cocchi, of the Hampden County Sheriff's Office, issued a warning alongside a screenshot of the text on Facebook, telling the public that if they receive a similar text, they shouldn't trust it.
The post explained: "Criminals are sending alarming messages, claiming the recipient is under investigation and demanding a call back to avoid "legal action." These scammers may also include fake case numbers and links that could install malware."
Cocchi said the alarming nature of the text was all part of the scam, as he continued: "These scammers want to scare people into acting before thinking. Law enforcement will never call, text, or email to demand money, resolve a warrant, or conduct official business. If you receive a message like this, do not engage—delete it and report it."
The post added that even if the ID attached to the text might appear to be from a 'legitimate agency', it's likely that the scammer actually faked the ID using online services.
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"The Hampden County Sheriff's Office will never request payment or personal information over the phone, via text, or online," the post added. "Please share this warning with your family and friends, especially those who may be more vulnerable to scams. Stay safe!"
The warning from Cocchi comes as residents in North Carolina have been experiencing scam texts which claim recipients owe money on an outstanding toll.
The scam texts claim to be from E-ZPass, EZDriveMA, and FasTrak, ABC 11 reports, with some warning that if you don't pay the toll within 12 hours, the charges will increase and you'll be turned into The Registry of Motor Vehicles.
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Steve Grobman, of the security company McAfee, told the outlet: "We need to recognize that what scammers do is they focus on things that scare people and create a sense of urgency."
Experts have warned that you should never click links sent in messages that could be from a scammer, and instead do your own research into whether the claims could be legitimate.