Recently, several residents in Ventura County received a text message from phone number (805) 766-4085. The text message displays a partial credit card number and instructs the receiver of the message to contact the phone number. This text message is being used to perpetrate fraud.
These scammers are moving beyond your email and targeting your text messages instead. This scam uses SMS technology, which is the underlying technology used to deliver a text message. This scam is called “Smishing.” Scammers are trying to use urgency to get you to call the phone number in the text message and provide your personal information, including your credit card number, username or password. This allows the scammer access to your credit card or bank account where they can conduct fraudulent transactions.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to block smishing messages. The best course of action is to be vigilant and look for these suspicious text messages, just as you would for fraudulent emails.
If you receive a text message you believe to be a bank or credit card company requesting information, do not call the phone number or click on any links in the text message. You should look-up the phone number or locate the number on a previous credit card or bank statement to verify the alert.
The best practice to avoid any type of scam is to do your research and verify before taking any action. This will keep your money where it belongs and not in the pockets of a scammer.
For more information please contact:
Detective Tim Lohman
[email protected]
(805) 494-8232
