SMS spoofing is a deceptive technique where individuals can send text messages pretending to be someone else. It involves using a wireless device to send outgoing text and social media messages that falsely appear to originate from a different sender. It enables the impersonation of another person and allows the individual to contact people on their contact lists without their awareness. SMS spoofing operates through various methods. It entails altering the sender’s name and phone number to create the illusion of sending from their account, even when they are not the sender.
Anybody can become a victim of SMS spoofing. But there are a few ways to help prevent it from happening. It is best to remain cautious about potential threats and risks you may receive from unknown contacts, including text marketing messages that appear to be from trusted sources. It is also best to avoid giving your personal information through text messages or calls.
Let us learn more about the 5 Ways How to Prevent SMS Spoofing.
- Do Not Believe on Click to Reset Password Links
One of the most common types of SMS spoofing is the “click to reset password” link. It looks like a genuine text message from a legitimate service like your bank or credit card provider. However, when you click on this link, it might take you to a malicious website instead that can steal your private data for identity theft or payment fraud.
Be cautious when clicking on links received via text messages from individuals who don’t usually send you links. Nowadays, whether you’re using iMessage, Facebook Messenger, or any other SMS service, traditional link previews provide insight into a link’s legitimacy. Always prioritize verifying the authenticity of links before clicking on them.
If you receive a link from an unfamiliar sender without a link preview, it is strongly advised to click only if you have confirmed its legitimacy. Verifying its authenticity may require contacting the sender via phone or in-person conversation. Exercising caution in such situations is crucial to ensuring online safety and security.
- Do Not be Attracted to Unbelievable Offers
SMS spoofs often try to deceive you by sending tempting offers that are hard to resist. Exercise caution: If you receive an SMS spoof from an unfamiliar retailer or need to remember to subscribe to their offers, chances are it’s fraudulent.
Usually, it’s best to ignore text messages from unknown senders, especially if they contain offers that seem too good to be true.
Spoofers sometimes disguise their messages as sent by a famous brand or retailer. Be aware of typos, grammar mistakes, and suspicious phrases in the message body, which could indicate spoofing.
Similarly, if the offer originates from a store you frequent but appears inconsistent with their usual offerings, it is reasonable to presume it is not legitimate.
- Do Not Click Unkown Links
SMS spoofers often send links to trick you into providing personal information or downloading a malicious application. It is crucial to remain vigilant and avoid clicking on unknown links. Be sure to confirm the link’s legitimacy before clicking it.
Also, be aware of any SMS messages that require urgent action and demand financial information or payment. Such deceptive tactics are a common sign of spoofing. Legitimate services or companies rarely send messages asking for payment, especially if the request is urgent.
- Do Not Provide Personal Information
No legitimate bank, financial institution, law enforcement official, debt collector, or service provider will ever ask for your phone number, personal data, or financial information through text messages.
Providing such information through a text message, even if it appears to be from a reputable source, could open the door to identity theft and financial fraud. It is important to always contact the authority directly before divulging any personal data.
If you receive a text that appears to be from any of these institutions and it requests your personal information, disregard it. It is a fraudulent message and should not be taken seriously.
- Do Not Share your Phone Numbers On the Web
Avoid sharing your phone number on social media platforms, chat rooms, and other public websites. Anybody can access such information and use it maliciously.
If you suspect someone has obtained your phone number from a public website, contact the service and request to delete or modify your profile information. It is wise to change passwords regularly for more security.
What is SMS Spoofing?
SMS spoofing involves altering sender details, such as the phone number or contact name, for fraudulent purposes. It’s important to note that spoof texts cannot be blocked or replied to. The primary objective behind SMS spoofing is impersonation.
You receive a text from someone you believe to be familiar, but eventually, something feels off. The name and mobile number resemble those in people’s contact lists but are not precisely matched.
At times, numbers can be altered entirely. SMS spoofing, also referred to as “SMS originator spoofing,” involves modifying the sender details of the message originator. It is illegal in some countries because it can be used for malicious purposes, such as identity theft and payment fraud.
Most of the time, SMS spoofing is done through bulk text messaging services to send out phishing messages to many people. This attack may even contain malicious URLs that link to phony websites designed to steal personal information.
How Does SMS Spoofing Work?
SMS spoofing is a deceptive technique that manipulates phone numbers and contact details to deceive mobile users. The unsuspecting victims receive text messages that seem to originate from familiar senders. This form of cybercriminal activity involves falsifying data to gain an unfair advantage.
The internet has become infested with tools that manipulate names and mobile phone numbers. With a simple download, fraudsters can send text messages from any number they choose, masquerading as well-known companies or banks.
However, certain businesses provide online spoofing services, which venture into illegal activity. Due to the ambiguous nature of the law, individuals can easily exploit it and assist scammers in deceiving unsuspecting users. Moreover, these platforms often offer their services at meager prices, making the scam even more alluring.
How Does Spoofer Get the Phone Numbers of Their Victims?
Scam and spoofing operations rely on having potential victims to target. Unfortunately, obtaining phone numbers is often a straightforward task. As phone number and name combinations are generally not private information, SMS spoofer can easily extract this data from public archives.
The US government even offers a curated list of archives where this information can be readily accessed through websites like:
- MobilePhoneNumber.com
- Whitepages.com
- AnyWho.com
- National Cellular Directory
- 411.com
A significant obstacle for scammers attempting to exploit these platforms is the necessity of web scraping. Furthermore, these platforms rely on the availability of a name to correlate with a corresponding number (or vice versa). Consequently, while this process may assist scammers in matching names and numbers, there are better methods for obtaining numbers in bulk.
A convenient approach that numerous phone scammers adopt entails purchasing stolen data from data breaches or pilfering phone numbers and other information from inadequately protected databases.
On dark web marketplaces, stolen data can be acquired at an astonishingly low cost. For instance, scammers can effortlessly discover and purchase over 2 million stolen records of Walmart customers for as little as $5. Since phone scams in the US result in an average reported financial loss of over $500, scammers face no difficulty recovering their expenses.
Regardless of the source of their numbers, scammers still require an untraceable method of making calls. It is where number spoofing comes into play, highlighting the shared responsibility of VoIP companies with lenient policies in the rampant use of this technique. The US government is taking action by warning, suing, and imposing fines on VoIP providers that enable their customers to engage in illegal phone scam operations.
Why Is It Hard to Catch the SMS Spoofers?
Catching spoofers remains a challenge due to the elusive nature of their operations. Most scammers prefer to remain anonymous by registering for services with disposable email addresses and fake names. In addition, they generally use third-party VoIP providers that offer encrypted connections and untraceable phone numbers.
Spoofing is challenging to detect because it looks identical to legitimate texts. Thus, victims are unaware of the malicious intent behind the message until it is too late.
Furthermore, even after tracking down scammers and filing a complaint with police authorities, crimes of this nature still need to be completed due to their complexity and global reach. Scammers often live in countries where law enforcement is ineffective or nonexistent, making prosecution difficult.
Finally, spoofing operations’ ease and low cost enable scammers to rapidly change numbers and send new messages if confronted with police investigations or consumer complaints. It makes it difficult for agents to catch up with them.
What are the Different Types of SMS Spoofing?
SMS spoofing can be used for various illegal purposes. Here is a list of the most common types of spoofing that criminals employ:
- Fake money transfers
Online shopping is a notorious playground for fraudsters. These cunning individuals visit e-commerce platforms, load up their virtual shopping carts with various items, and proceed to make a seemingly innocent bank transfer. However, their deceptive scheme is complete if they manage to get hold of the store’s designated bank update number.
To top it off, they send a cleverly crafted text message, posing as the bank, to further deceive their victims into believing that the transaction has indeed taken place. Stay vigilant and be aware of these elaborate scams lurking in the digital realm.
Scammers often impersonate banks and send fraudulent text messages regarding fictitious cashback transactions to unsuspecting individuals. In this SMS smishing scam, the user is typically prompted to scan a QR code or follow a link to claim the cashback or perform another transaction.
Here is an example: Get your $750 Bank Transfer to Your WebPay Wallet ID: 8829766. Click on this link to get 100% cashback on your transaction. [Link]
- Fake sender IDs
Impersonating a reputable company can yield significant results with minimal effort. Consider a scenario where you know someone’s impending home insurance expiration and their need to renew it.
Scammers exploit this information to deceive individuals into renewing their insurance, instead redirecting them to an unrelated website. It is where phishing comes into play: they include a hyperlink in their message, enticing the user to click, thus completing the scam.
An example is this: [Urgent] We noticed unusual activity in your insurance account. Please verify your identity by accessing this [link] to prevent your account from being compromised.
- Harassment (stalking, pranking, family emergency, etc.)
SMS spoofing allows scammers to assume any identity they desire. Their motivations are not always financial; sometimes, it becomes personal. Some employ it as a means of retaliation, while others enjoy pranks. Shockingly, some even exploit it to intimidate their victims over an extended period.
Scammers frequently employ scare tactics, such as sending texts to families, falsely claiming that a loved one is in the hospital or has been arrested. These manipulative tactics aim to exploit emotions and deceive unsuspecting individuals.
Here is an example: It’s Mom. I have been calling you due to an emergency. I had a bad fall. I need funds to pay for hospital bills. Call me asap.
- Spam/Marketing
Spoofing is often used in the marketing industry to “cold calling” potential customers. This approach allows marketers to reach out en masse, flooding people’s phones with promotional messages or advertisements.
In worst-case scenarios, scammers can also send malicious links that contain viruses or malware. In these cases, users should remain vigilant and avoid clicking suspicious links or downloading attachments.
Here is an example: Hey there! Check out our newest product – the Apple Watch. Buy now and get 15% off your purchase. [Link]
What Will Happen to the Clicked Spoof SMS Link?
Clicking on a spoof SMS link can have serious consequences. The most common outcome is installing malicious software, such as spyware or viruses, onto your device. These threats are designed to steal personal information and compromise your online safety.
Other risks include being scammed out of money or having your identity stolen by cybercriminals. It is also possible for your device to become a part of a botnet, an army of computers used to carry out malicious activities by remote control.
Therefore, when receiving suspicious text messages, it is crucial to remain vigilant and refrain from clicking on unfamiliar links or attachments. Instead, delete the message immediately. Additionally, be sure to secure all of your online accounts with two-factor authentication and strong passwords. By following these precautions, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of SMS spoofing.
How to Distinguish Spoofing Fraud from Other Forms of Text Scams?
While SMS spoofing may appear similar to other forms of text scams. However, there is one significant difference: SMS spoofing is more challenging to detect. When it comes to email and text fraud, it is simple to examine the sender’s contact details and swiftly recognize any lack of authenticity in the name, number, or address.
SMS spoofing involves using a name and number that closely resemble the real thing, making it challenging to identify unless suspicion or expectation arises. This distinguishing factor sets SMS spoofing apart from other text frauds, as it cleverly disguises the sender’s identity.
Distinguishing spoof messages from ordinary ones is challenging, but not for those who know where to focus their attention. The key lies in the intricate details.
- In spoofed texts, the Sender Name field appears grayed out and unclickable, whereas, in standard text messages, it is clickable and displayed in blue.
- Spoofed messages frequently exhibit spelling errors and are typically not written in your native language.
- As responding to spoof messages is not advisable, scammers often request that you contact them via phone or email. It is an additional indication that something is not correct.
- Spoofing attempts commonly encompass a range of tactics, such as sending final notices, failed delivery notifications, reports of account security breaches, pending invoices, and reset password requests.
- Refund scams are incredibly prevalent, with users often receiving text messages claiming they are entitled to a significant sum of money due to previous overcharging by a financial institution. To obtain the promised amount, they are required to provide their financial information.
Can SMS Blocker Detect Spoofing?
Yes, an SMS Blocker is capable of detecting spoofing. It is a specialized anti-spoofing tool that uses advanced algorithms to detect suspicious messages and alert you if there is a potential risk. The application blocks known spammers and analyzes incoming texts for specific characteristics associated with spoofed messages.
Can you Recover your Account After Being Spoofed?
Yes. However, recovering a compromised account from SMS spoofing can be complicated, as the fraudster has already obtained your personal information. The first step is to reset your passwords and security questions for all affected accounts. Additionally, you should contact the relevant companies and inform them about the incident. If any money was taken out of your account, it is vital to alert your bank immediately.
To further protect yourself, consider installing an SMS Blocker app on your device and regularly review your online accounts’ security settings. Additionally, be sure to enable two-factor authentication whenever possible to prevent hackers from accessing your personal information in the future. Taking these precautions can significantly reduce the risk of SMS spoofing.