We’ve all been there, right? You receive a text message on your phone, look at it and you’re completely confused. You think to yourself, “What on Earth does this mean? Who sent me this?” The nightmare begins as you read and you realize that the text is from your own number and it’s asking for money. What is going on and what should you do?
The answer is simple: you should report it immediately. When you receive a text message from your number, it usually indicates that someone has hacked your device or spoofed your number. It’s important to act right away to protect your information and your accounts.
What is Spoofing?
Spoofing is a type of fraud committed through the use of technology. It’s when someone uses technology to imitate another phone or device. By spoofing your number, the hacker is able to send text messages from your number to elicit money from you.
The hacker will generally send a text message asking for money or access to your account. Often, the text will include your name and other personal information in attempt to make it seem legit. It’s vitally important that you do not respond to these messages and never give out your personal information or account logins in an attempt to recover your information.
How to Recognize Spoofed Messages
In order to protect yourself from spoofed messages, it’s important to recognize when one is received. There are a few key signs to look out for:
•The message is from your number
•The message contains your name and personal info
•The message requests money or access to accounts
•The message is sent to multiple people
•The message has bad spelling or grammar
What to Do if You Receive a Spoofed Message
If you receive a message from your number, the best course of action is to report it immediately. This will help to protect your information and your accounts. Here are the steps to take:
1.Contact Your Wireless Carrier
Contact your wireless provider as soon as possible to report the incident. Your provider should have procedures in place to help you protect your account and inform you about what to do next. Generally, your provider will be able to help you reset your password or provide other protection measures.
2.Contact Your Bank
If you’ve provided your bank details or other financial information in the text message, it is advisable to contact your bank as soon as possible. Your bank will be able to help you ensure that your information and accounts are protected.
3.Change Your Passwords
It’s important to change your passwords on a regular basis but it’s even more important to do so if your number has been spoofed. Creating strong passwords is a must and if you’re struggling to create one then there are some great password generator tools out there to help.
4.Install Security Software
If you haven’t already, now is the time to install some security software on your device. There are many types available, some of which are free and can help protect your device from malicious software and more.
We’ve all been there – receiving a text message from our own number can be a confusing and scary experience. The best thing to do is act immediately and report it to your wireless provider and bank. In addition, make sure that you change your passwords and install some security software to help protect your accounts and device.
