Government agency, FBI, affirms data safety alert: Delete these text messages on iPhone and Android devices
Heads Up, Smartphone Users! Be Aware of the Recent DMV Text Scams
Texts targeting iPhone and Android users have exploded by over 700% this month, with cities and states across the nation under attack. The FBI has now confirmed this threat, originating from China, and is urging you to delete these dangerous texts without delay.
As earlier reported, the scam texts replacing the unpaid tolls have become more menacing. According to Guardio, their team detected a staggering 773% increase in DMV scam texts during the first week of June, with no signs of abating. These texts divert users to phishing websites designed to steal credit card information and make unauthorized charges.
The FBI is indeed investigating these DMV scams. Confirming the shift from the unpaid toll cybercriminals, FBI Tennessee’s Supervisory Special Agent David Palmer warns that these texts can infect your phone with malware, potentially stealing sensitive information such as your payment details.
Palmer advises, "if you don't recognize the sender, don't click the link." These links adopt deceptive domain names to trick users into thinking they're legitimate. As Guardio explains, scammers generate a new domain for almost every DMV text, often using state names followed by generic domains or even including '.gov' to seem authentic.
With millions of these texts scheduled for distribution in the coming weeks, cybersecurity firm Resecurity warns that just one threat actor can send up to 2,000,000 phishing messages daily. This means the potential for targeting 60,000,000 victims per month or 720,000,000 per year, which is enough to target virtually every American at least twice a year.
Cybercriminal syndicates operating out of China have been identified as the perpetrators of these smishing attacks. With confidence in their anonymity, they blatantly disregard U.S. law enforcement agencies.
Following the FBI's advice, delete any suspicious DMV texts received – even though many are active for only a few hours before being detected and blocked. With the scale and sophistication of this scam campaign, Senator Tina Smith is pressuring the Trump Administration for a federal response.
Arizona's Attorney General has also issued a warning, emphasizing that while the agencies being impersonated may vary, these texts share a common strategy to steal your information and money. Avoid clicking any links in these texts to protect your personal information.
Oregon's DMV is the latest to issue a warning, explaining that these messages are not from them. Be wary of texts promising a "Department of Motor Vehicles Final Notice" or citing an immediate suspension of vehicle registration and driving privileges. The +63 dial code and .VIP top-level domain should raise red flags.
While text messages may be difficult to identify as scams, observe for red flags such as threats, urgency, and suspicious links. Verify any doubts by contacting the DMV through official channels, and delete any unverified texts to ensure your protection. Stay informed about ongoing scams by keeping up with local news and alerts from the DMV.
[1] https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/02/phishing-scams-using-dmv-themes-on-the-rise[2] https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/06/ava-develops-ai-Validate-app-to-identify-spam-sms-messages[3] https://www. identitytheft.gov/debt-and-money/scams-and-riders/scam-types/identity-theft-smishing-scams[4] https://www.whatsmyiphoneip.com/where-is-my-text-message-from[5] https://www.consumerreports.org/scams/dmv-text-messages-arent-real-they-come-from-scammers/
- In response to the increasing DMV text scams, the FBI advises individuals not to click on any links within these texts and to delete them immediately, as they may contain malware designed to steal sensitive information, such as payment details.
- As the frequency of smishing attacks, including DMV text scams, continues to rise, cybersecurity firm Resecurity warns that just one threat actor can send up to 2,000,000 phishing messages daily, potentially targeting millions of victims each month, and emphasizes the importance of staying vigilant and being aware of the latest scams in technology and crime-and-justice news.
