FBI Warning: Montanans Delete This Text Now

• The FBI has issued a new scam warning to Montana consumers
• Thousands of people have reported receiving spam texts about tolls
• This type of scam is called "Smishing"

What Is Smishing?

From Proof Point:

"Smishing is a cyber-attack that targets individuals through SMS (Short Message Service) or text messages. The term is a combination of “SMS” and “phishing.”

In a smishing attack, cybercriminals send deceptive text messages to lure victims into sharing personal or financial information, clicking on malicious links, or downloading harmful software or applications."

What Do These Smishing Texts Look Like?

These are texts sent to me and 2 of my co-workers in the last week. Montana has no toll roads in the entire state.

What Should You Do If You Get This Text?

From ABC News

According to the FBI:

If you get one of these texts:

• Do not respond
• Report the text to IC3.gov
• Delete the text

The FBI reports that an actor has purchased over 10,000 websites in order to facilitate scams like this one.

They're imitating toll services like the picture above and package delivery services. So far, the FBI have had reports from 10 states and Ontario, Canada.

I have an iPhone, and things like this almost NEVER make it through to me. The FBI has researched it. It appears the scam can bypass Apple security because they have people respond with a Y then open up the text again.

 Please Pass This Information Along

My 80 year old mom used to think responding to every scam was important (to tell them she was onto them.) until her identity got stolen.

If there is someone in your life not so tech savvy, give them a heads-up about this scam.