When A Friendly Text Costs You More Than A Hello

A new scam is making the rounds, and it starts with a simple, unexpected text message from an unfamiliar number. It might say something casual like “Hey, how are you?” or “Are you coming to the BBQ later?” messages designed to seem friendly and harmless.

If you respond, the sender will strike up a conversation, acting like an old friend or someone who mistakenly messaged you. But behind the friendly tone is a cybercriminal looking to trick you.

Soon, the conversation shifts to a “can’t-miss” investment opportunity—often in cryptocurrency or gold. They’ll claim it’s a safe, high-profit deal and urge you to invest through a specific website or app. But it’s all a scam. Any money you send goes straight to the fraudster, and once they’ve got it, they vanish leaving you with empty pockets and no way to recover your funds.

How to Protect Yourself from SMS Phishing (Smishing):

• Don’t reply to unknown numbers. Responding confirms your number is active and opens the door to more scams.
• Be skeptical of “guaranteed” profits. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Never send money, crypto, or gift cards to strangers. If you haven’t met them in person, don’t trust them with your finances.

Stay alert and think twice before replying to unexpected messages. A simple “hello” could end up costing you more than you bargained for.