How to Identify Scam Text Messages: Clues to Watch For

Common Scam Text Message Examples

• toll scam claiming you owe money for a highway toll is highlighted as the biggest text scam of the year.
• ✉️ Another common scam involves a fake text message about a problem with your tax refund due to incomplete personal information.

Red Flags in Scam Communications

• 🗣️ A prevalent giveaway is the use of old-fashioned language, such as the three-word phrase "would you kindly," often due to scammers being non-native English speakers.
• 🧐 Other red flag phrases include "Dear Sir or Madam" and starting a sentence with "am," like "am contacting you."
• ✍️ Scammers frequently make grammatical or spelling errors, which legitimate banks and government agencies typically avoid.

The Impact of AI on Scams

• 🤖 The emergence of AI may soon render these traditional warning signs obsolete.
• 🤖 Scammers can use American-based AI systems to craft perfectly normal sentences, making it easier to impersonate official organizations.

General Advice for Avoiding Scams

• ⚠️ Be suspicious of all unexpected texts or emails these days, regardless of the sender.
• 🔍 Always check spelling and grammar in communications you receive.
• 💰 Being vigilant helps prevent wasting your money on fraudulent schemes.