SAFETY NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH (NW) CORNER By Fay Wood, NW Chief (Courtesy of Law Enforcement) In the digital age, security threats have become increasingly sophisticated, penetrating deep into our most private forms of communication: text messages.“Smishing” is a type of text message-based phishing that cyber criminals use to steal data from their targets. The smisher crafts a seemingly legitimate message and uses it to deceive recipients into divulging sensitive information or installing malware on their phone. One common example of smishing involves scammers pretending to be a toll company, like E-ZPass. They text false claims of unpaid tolls to unsuspecting recipients, threatening fines if the victims don’t pay their balances immediately. These messages often include links to fraudulent websites designed to harvest personal and financial details. Since March 2024, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center has received nearly 2,000 reports of such scams across multiple states. The sophistication of these scams is alarming, and their rapid proliferation makes it hard to track down the perpetrators. Smishing’s effectiveness is partly due to cybercriminals' use of “Lighthouse" kits, which allow them to effortlessly spoof toll operators and target users across various states in a single text message campaign. To safeguard against such threats, it's essential to remain vigilant. Be skeptical of unsolicited messages, especially those urging immediate action or payment. Avoid clicking on links in suspicious texts; instead, verify the message’s authenticity by contacting the organization claiming to be on the other end. If you suspect you've received a smishing message, report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, and delete the message from your device. As always, your Neighborhood Watch Team stands ready to help keep Lake Ashton the safe place to live and work. 18
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