AARP says cons that started with text messages stole $86 million from Americans in 2020. If you don’t follow proper precautions, you could lose a ton of money. It’s an extra step, but the effort is well worth it. Instead of clicking on the link, reach out to the official organization and see if the messages were legitimate. You’ll rarely get random text messages or emails with links you didn’t ask for. Tap or click here for six phony text messages to watch out for. The websites you’re taken to infect your device with malware. It’s a common tactic in smishing or text messaging scams.īad guys will send you texts with verification codes or suspicious links, trying to make you click them. Maybe your username and password are still secure, but a cybercriminal is trying to rattle you. We recommend changing your password to something more robust. Remember, if you get a verification code you didn’t request, your account could be in danger. Tap or click here to avoid one common mistake that will lock you out of your own Netflix account. If you aren’t careful, you might even lose your account. If you’re getting a verification code from an account that records logins or devices, like streaming services that show all connected devices, it’s worth checking that nothing strange is happening in your account. You can ignore the text for most accounts once you’re sure your account is protected. This is just the case for banks since they have highly-sensitive information. You may not need to take this extra step for most texts you get, though. Instead, look up the website or location and call the official number. Take the extra time to reach out to your bank. Tap or click here for three surefire signs someone stole your identity. Otherwise, you could deal with a drained bank account, a ruined credit score and a stolen identity. It’s best to nip any potential financial issues in the bud ASAP. If you’re getting an alert from your bank, call it and check to see if anyone has accessed your account. A verification code for your Netflix account isn’t as dangerous as one from your bank.

Some accounts are much more critical than others, of course. Are the alerts coming from your bank? Watch out Tap or click here for one free database that lets you see if your data is floating around the web.

They’re super easy to use: Just enter your email address or phone number, and you’ll see if your private details are public property. So it’s a good idea to check cybersecurity databases now and then. Criminals constantly launch coordinated attacks on organizations that have your private details, from businesses to hospitals. These aren’t nearly as rare as they should be. This could also signify that your account details were leaked in a data breach.

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