SMS spoofing is a type of cyberattack that involves sending fake text messages from a sender that appears to be legitimate, such as a bank, a government agency, or a well-known company. The goal of these attacks is to trick the recipients into revealing their personal or financial information, clicking on malicious links, or downloading malware.
SMS spoofing attacks are becoming more common and sophisticated, as hackers exploit the trust and convenience of text messaging. According to a report by Proofpoint, SMS phishing (or smishing) increased by 328% in 2023, and accounted for nearly half of all mobile phishing attempts.
In this post, we will explain how SMS spoofing works, what are the signs of a spoofed message, and how you can protect yourself from falling victim to these scams.
How SMS Spoofing Works
SMS spoofing is possible because of the way the text messaging system works. When you send a text message, your phone number is attached to it as the sender ID. However, this sender ID can be manipulated by using special software or online services that allow anyone to send text messages with any number or name they want.
For example, a hacker can use an SMS spoofing service to send a text message that appears to come from your bank, asking you to verify your account details or to click on a link to update your security settings. If you do so, you may end up giving away your credentials, your personal information, or your money to the hacker.
Alternatively, a hacker can use a technique called SIM swapping to take over your phone number and use it to send spoofed messages to your contacts. SIM swapping involves convincing your mobile provider to transfer your phone number to a new SIM card that the hacker controls. This way, the hacker can bypass any two-factor authentication codes or verification messages that are sent to your phone.
How to Spot a Spoofed Message
SMS spoofing attacks can be hard to detect, especially if the hacker uses a number or a name that you recognize and trust. However, there are some clues that can help you identify a spoofed message and avoid falling for the scam. Here are some of them:
- The message is unsolicited, urgent, or threatening. For example, the message may claim that your account has been compromised, that you have won a prize, or that you need to pay a fine or a fee immediately.
- The message asks you to provide sensitive information, such as your password, your PIN, your credit card number, or your social security number. Legitimate organizations will never ask you to share such information over text message.
- The message contains spelling or grammatical errors, or uses unprofessional or informal language. For example, the message may use slang, abbreviations, or emojis that are not typical of the sender.
- The message includes a link or an attachment that you are asked to click on or download. The link or the attachment may lead you to a fake website or install malware on your device.
- The message does not match the previous communication you had with the sender. For example, the message may come from a different number, use a different tone, or refer to a different topic than the previous messages.
How to Protect Yourself from SMS Spoofing Attacks
If you receive a suspicious text message that you think may be spoofed, do not reply, click, or download anything. Instead, follow these steps to protect yourself and your device:
- Verify the sender. If the message claims to be from an organization that you have an account with or a service that you use, contact them directly using their official website, phone number, or email address. Do not use the contact information provided in the message, as it may be fake or compromised.
- Report the message. You can report the spoofed message to your mobile provider, to the organization that the message impersonates, or to the authorities. You can also forward the message to 7726 (SPAM), a free service that collects reports of spam texts from most mobile carriers.
- Delete the message. Once you have verified and reported the message, delete it from your device. Do not forward it to anyone else, as you may expose them to the scam as well.
- Update your security. Make sure that your device and your apps are updated with the latest security patches and antivirus software. Use strong and unique passwords for your accounts, and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible. Avoid using public or unsecured Wi-Fi networks, and use a VPN to encrypt your online traffic.
SMS spoofing is a serious threat that can compromise your privacy, your security, and your finances. By being aware of how SMS spoofing works, how to spot a spoofed message, and how to protect yourself from SMS spoofing attacks, you can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of these scams. Remember, if a text message seems too good to be true, or too bad to be true, it probably is.
