Have you heard of the “broken phone” scam? These days, the majority of the population has a mobile phone to call and receive calls or send and receive messages, but sometimes we can encounter certain situations that may seem suspicious. If you still do not know this type of fraud and want to know what it consists of, the Police have released a video warning of fake SMS to raise awareness among users.
One of the most dangerous scams in recent months has once again turned all the alarms upside down in Spain and the Police are aware of it. The social engineering technique known as smishing is one of the most striking and the one that causes the most furor among citizens, so it must be avoided in the best way possible to avoid falling into temptation. If you want to know how to identify this type of farce, we will tell you all the details.
“Hi dad, my phone is broken, send me money”
The “broken phone” scam has gained prominence in recent days after the Police distributed a new alert through its official X (Twitter) account. In the visual document we are presented with one of the most common scams to appropriate the financial data of all those people who receive a fraudulent SMS in which the cybercriminal impersonates the son of the affected person to ask them to send him money because his phone is broken.
In one of these messages you can read the following original text:
«Hello Dad, my phone is broken. I have a temporary number. I can’t call Can you send a WhatsApp message through WhatsApp? Number: (mobile number with a misleading link to the wa.me domain)»
National Police
@police
Surely you will be sick of seeing this #scam
“Hello dad/mom, this is my new phone…” 📲
If you have not received it yet 👉❌ DO NOT PICK ❌
🔹 Don’t pay attention
🔹 Contact your child
🔹 Do not click on any linkAnd if you have been a victim 👉 COMPLAINT https://t.co/Q2aZLJu7Ix
February 9, 2024 • 17:06
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There are other examples in which you can see “Dad, my cell phone has been stolen”, “Mom, this is my new phone number, I can’t call, send me money”, etc. The Police mention these misdeeds as “emotional hooks” that all they do is draw the user’s attention so that they fall into the trap. But, luckily, we can put into practice a series of tips so that cybercriminals do not emerge victorious.
What to do to avoid biting
As this type of online theft is the order of the day, it is important to be aware that we can experience it at any time, so it is best to follow the instructions that the State security forces and bodies have put on the table:
- If you receive a fake SMS message with a link attached, do not click.
- Before taking any action, contact your child directly to see if you are being scammed.
- Collect all the necessary evidence with screenshots in case you have accessed the link, to go to a Police office and report your case.
- Under no circumstances give away your personal information or fill out forms that compromise all your credentials.
- If you decide to copy the trap phone number and manage to start a conversation with the criminal, try asking him/her confidential questions that only your child knows.
