Smishing: A Growing Threat in Erie

Smishing has become one of the most urgent scams affecting our community here in Erie—and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. As scammers adapt to new trends and technologies, smishing has emerged as one of the most common and effective ways to deceive people online.

Smishing is a dangerous combination of phishing and text messaging, where scammers impersonate legitimate organizations to steal sensitive information from unsuspecting victims.

In 2024 alone, scammers caused over $1.03 trillion in losses, according to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance. While imposter phone calls dropped by 32% in 2023, text message scams have surged, becoming the most prevalent form of fraud today. November 2024 saw 19.2 billion spam texts – about 63 per person.

In this post, we’ll break down the most common smishing scams currently targeting people and share practical tips on how to protect yourself.

Protect Yourself from Smishing Scams

The best defense against smishing is vigilance. Here are some key tips for protecting yourself:

Avoid Suspicious Links: Never click a link in an unsolicited text message, especially if it’s from an unknown number. Even if the message claims to be from a trusted organization—such as Gmail, USPS, or the PA Turnpike—double-check by visiting their official website or calling a verified number.

Look Out for Red Flags:

Urgency: Scammers often pressure you to act quickly. Messages like “Your account has been compromised—click here immediately!” or “Your package is at risk—act now!” are designed to make you panic and act without thinking.

Suspicious Links: Hover over any links (without clicking!) to check if the URL looks strange. It might be a slight variation of a legitimate website address, with extra characters or misspellings.

Grammar and Spelling Errors: Official organizations take care to ensure their messages are free of typos and grammatical mistakes. If you notice sloppy language, it’s a major red flag.

Requests for Personal Information: Legitimate companies will never ask you to provide sensitive details like your password, Social Security number, or credit card information via text. If you’re asked for this, it’s almost certainly a scam.

Smishing can be a tricky and sophisticated form of fraud, but by staying vigilant and following these tips, you can protect yourself from falling victim to these scams. Remember — if something feels off, trust your instincts, and take the time to verify any suspicious communication before taking action.

If you have any questions or concerns about scams or technology, we’re here to help. Contact our Tech Support Help Portal to talk with our experts today.

Tune in every Wednesday at noon to Erie News Now to catch VNET’s Brian Marshall on Technology Now for the latest in tech news! Stay up to date with all things tech and follow Velocity Network on LinkedIn and Facebook to keep up with our exciting journey as we expand our VNET Fiber network across Erie County.