SMiShing - SMS Phishing

SMiShing is a phishing attack sent via SMS (Short Message Service).It’s the new, text-message version of the lucrative e-mail scam. In this ploy, scammers take advantage of the smart-phone revolution—hoping that a text message to your cell will make it less likely you’ll investigate the source, as you might do while sitting at your desk. Since many banks and businesses do offer text-message notifications, the scam has the air of legitimacy.

SMiShing victims receive SMS messages including texts similar to the following:: "We're confirming you've signed up for our dating service.You will be charged $2/day unless you cancel your order by accessing the website: www.??????.com". If the URL is clicked, it will download a Trojan horse that could allow a Web-enabled phone to be controlled by hackers.

Sometimes you get a text message stating a problem with your bank or PayPal account. You're told to call a toll-free number, which is answered by a bogus interactive voice-response system that tries to fool you into providing your account number and password.

Prevent it

· Do not trust unsolicited telephone messages.

· Never click on URL’s in text messages unless it is verified to be legitimate

· Real banks might send you notices via text message (if you’ve signed up for the service), but they never ask for account information. If you’re unsure, call the bank directly.

You can read more about SMiShing in the following links:

http://blogs.globalcrossing.com/?q=content/smishing-another-crimeware-threats-mobile-phone-users-security

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMiShing

A Telecom Scam

Bob received a call from ‘XYZ’ Telecom Company saying he won cash prizes.At first he thought it was a scam but when the caller quoted the first eight digits of his SIM card, Bob believed him. Apparently bob was unaware that the first eight digits were identical for all XYZ telecom SIM Cards. Bob was asked to buy phone cards of the ‘XYZ’ Telecom and give the card numbers. He did it for a relatively good amount and then he started realising something was fishy. Upon contacting the telecom company Bob just find out he was the victim of a scam. It may sound really foolish of Bob but again this can happen to any one of us. Read more about these kinds of scams and what to do about it in my next post.