Behind the Vault

With the rise of technology, we now have more ways to communicate than ever before. Unfortunately, scammers have taken advantage of this and are now using fraudulent texts to trick people into giving away their personal information. If you want to protect yourself from fraudulent texts, here are seven tips to keep in mind:

1. Be suspicious of unsolicited texts. If you receive a text message from a number you don't recognize or have not subscribed to, be cautious. Scammers often send unsolicited texts to random phone numbers hoping that someone will fall for their scam.
2. Check the sender's phone number. Always check the phone number of the sender before responding to a text. Fraudulent texts are often sent from a fake phone number, so if the sender's number is unfamiliar or does not match the company or organization it claims to be from, it is likely a scam.
3. Don't click on links in texts. Fraudulent texts often contain links that will take you to a fake website. These websites are designed to look like legitimate sites but are created by scammers to steal your personal information. If you receive a text with a link, do not click on it unless you are sure it is legitimate.
4. Don't give out personal information. Family Trust and other legitimate companies and organizations will never ask you for personal information via text message. If you receive a text that asks for your social security number, credit card information, or any other sensitive information, it is likely a scam.
5. Install anti-malware software on your phone. Just like your computer, your phone can also be infected with malware. Installing anti-malware software on your phone can help protect it from fraudulent texts and other scams.
6. Block the sender's number. If you receive a fraudulent text, block the sender's number immediately. This will prevent them from contacting you again and potentially tricking you into giving away your personal information.
7. Report fraudulent texts. If you receive a fraudulent text, report it to your phone carrier or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This will help authorities track down the scammers and prevent them from targeting others.

Protecting yourself from fraudulent texts is essential in today's digital age. Remember, if something seems too good to be true or appears suspicious, it probably is.