Receiving odd texts for someone else? Rise of ‘wrong number’ messages is new payday for scammers  — “Hey, how are you?” “Hey, how’s your sore back?” “Sorry, I’m running a little late; I’ll meet you for dinner at 6:15.” If you have been on the receiving end of an increasing number of seemingly random and innocuous texts like those, you aren’t alone. And it wasn’t a wrong number. Online scammers are increasingly turned to “wrong number” message tactics, aided by AI, to trick phone users into providing access to personal information and financial accounts.

Denver sheriff warns residents to avoid jury duty text message scam  — DENVER (KDVR) — The Denver Sheriff’s Department is warning about a new text message scam that targets victims by saying they are being summoned to jury duty. Major Michelle Kim told FOX31 that the scammers pose as officers of the court.

Cybersecurity experts warn about job offer text scams  — ACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A scam that may flood your phone may be disguised as a job offer sent through text, deceiving you with a job description that may be a little too good to be true. If you got an unexpected text message with a job offer from a company you didn’t apply to, chances are it’s a scam. It’s a scam cybersecurity experts told First Coast News has been growing rapidly over the past year.

Unpaid toll texts are scam, costing Tennesseans more than $190 million in 2024, AG says  — CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – In a recent press release, the Tennessee Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division urged Tennesseans to be aware of phishing text scams claiming that a consumer has unpaid toll road and EZ Pass balances. Tech scams such as these cost Tennesseans more than $190 million in 2024, with senior accounting for one-third of those losses, says the FBI.

If You Get a USPS Scam Text, You Need to Do This ASAP  — Waiting for online shopping purchases to arrive? Stay vigilant against scammers pretending to be the U.S. Postal Service. Online shoppers are out in full force this holiday season. According to Adobe Analytics, consumers spent $13.3 billion on Cyber Monday in 2024—a 7.3% increase over past year—making it the highest single e-commerce shopping day in history. Unfortunately, as online shopping trends upward, so do opportunities for scammers.

Repetition Doesn't Make it Real  — Scammers borrow tactics from real-world marketers and advertisers. One common technique is using repeated messages to create brand awareness. Just because you get multiple messages advertising the same product or service, doesn't mean it's real.