How a Stranger Used One Text Message to Steal My Entire Digital Life -- Time

[NeoTrajan]

27. Just had a discussion with my kids about this

The rule:

No matter WHO sends you a message, by email, by text, facebook/twitter message, or by phone call (especially by phone call)

NEVER click any links

ALWAYS look up the actual, legitimate contact numbers on the actual, legitimate website, and contact your bank/financial org ONLY through those legitimate numbers, period .... NEVER follow the message directions, don't press Y or N or 1,2,3 etc ... Don't use ANY of their information to make contact .... Only the contact numbers YOU provide yourself

Tell the real bank you think you are being scammed, and that you have NO intention of moving any money or changing your PW (yet)

Ask the real bank if there are problems with any of your accounts

I also mentioned hanging up on calls from your legitimate bank, for the same reasons in this story: Even though it's from your bank, it's possibly a part of the scam ... Don't feel obligated to stay on the line: hang up and call the real bank - They won't be mad at you

Following through with those directions completes the scam, and allows them to take over your account, so, just hang up, and call directly to your bank using your own info

BTW, they can target other accounts: Utilities, Streaming channels, ANYWHERE you keep card info

The same rule applies: NEVER do anything by message or by receiving a call, even from those legit orgs: hang up and call directly after finding the real numbers ... You can apologize for hanging up when you call them back

Assume every message is a scam, and act accordingly