(RNN) - Cyber-criminals have devised a new scam to access victims’ personal information via text message.
This scam is called ‘smishing’ which is similar to the phishing email scam.
Hackers send realistic texts to smartphone users, pretending to be banks, government associations and more.
With these texts, they hope that people click on links and enter personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.
Experts say that this new scam comes as hackers realize people are more aware of suspicious emails, but still trust text messages.
There are many examples of smishing texts that users should beware of, including those that appear to be from organizations like the IRS, according to USA Today.
“IRS Notice: Tax Return File Overdue! Click here to enter your information to prevent being prosecuted,” is just one example of the texts that scammers use.
There are several anti-virus and anti-malware apps for smartphones that users are encouraged to download for protection from these kinds of scams.
Apps such as AVG, Avast, ESET and Malwarebytes help protect mobile devices from dangerous viruses and malware threats that infect the devices and steal sensitive information.
Users are also advised to delete any suspicious texts with links in them.
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