How do you recognize scam messages

How it started: Doing a chota recharge to text friends at 1 paise/SMS.

How it’s going: Receiving unnecessary, useless, potentially harmful messages every day.

We said it before and we’ll say it again - technology, when misused, is an inconvenience. The most obvious evidence of this is in our inbox, which mostly consists of scam messages that are meant to trick and cheat us.

Now, the problem here is that scammers have become quite advanced and skilled. Messages are veiled quite well and can easily pass off as genuine.

Recognizing scam messages - A few tell-tale signs

No matter how proficient they are, scammers end up giving away the truth one way or another. But, an unaware person will not be able to catch these signs. To make sure you are fully aware, we have prepared a comprehensive list.

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If they say it isn't a scam, it most likely is!

Genuine SMS senders will not see the need to announce that their message is “not a scam.” So, if someone’s desperately trying to convince you about authenticity, it’s because it is a scam. Steer clear of any such messages.

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The message forces you to click on a link

Messages from shopping sites and courier platforms containing tracking links can be genuine. But, if the sender is unknown and the message is stuffed with URLs, then you should directly delete it.

Phones today allow hovering on a link to see where it will direct you. Make sure you employ this strategy. If, at any point, you are suspicious, do not click on it.

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They want you to act now!

Unless it’s about climate change, it can wait. This is why any text message that warrants “immediate action” has a high probability of being fake.

Example: “90% off on Rolex watches. Order in 1 hour. <link>”

They are too good to be true

This is our life’s mantra - if it’s too good to be true, it isn’t. We advise that you apply the same concept on text messages to avoid falling prey to any insane offers, free stuff, and zero interest loans/credit cards.

There are errors in the text

These have become rare but haven’t vanished yet. So beware! Messages that are badly written and are riddled with errors are usually aimed at scamming you. These days, you will see many texts with spelling errors offering “dates” and a “good time.” They are all dangerous and must immediately be blocked.

If you have a bad feeling about it, it’s probably scam

Trust your instincts. A few texts look authentic but are from unknown or suspicious senders. If your instincts say that this is scam, you should listen. A honest sender will try to reach you again or through different portals. You don’t have to worry, thus, about missing out on a potential opportunity or important communication.

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Stopping text scams in their tracks - A few helpful tips

Identification is the first step towards stopping text scams altogether. It can be a slow process but there are a few steps that can have immediate effect. We have compiled some of the easiest to implement tips here:

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• Start blocking all the obvious scam texts. Since you are already a part of some directories, this process may take time but eventually, you will see a dip in the number of scam messages you receive.
• Report any potentially dangerous senders, especially if you are receiving messages repeatedly.
• Never open any links from unknown senders.
• Automatically ignore messages with lucrative, unbelievable offers.
• If you use an iPhone, use Apple’s settings to filter transactional, promotional, and spam messages. You can also mute notifications and delete unwanted texts in one go.
• Use a secondary virtual number for security and privacy. There are SIM-free phone number services that you can use online on all public platforms. They will help you stay safe because you can ignore ALL messages that you receive on that number except OTPs.

Conclusion

It is almost impossible to block all scam messages today. That is why routing them to a different number is the most ideal option. Doosra allows you to do this with the utmost ease and convenience. Within minutes, you will have a new virtual number that you can use online while keeping your primary number private. This way, you won’t have to worry about missing genuine messages either. Neat, isn’t it? :D

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