As we get more and more comfortable with digial media scams seem to pop up at a proportional rate. Social media and text messages allow information to spread quickly, which can make it easier for some scammers to trick individuals. One scam I have personally seen several times involves fake text messages claiming I have an unpaid parking ticket. These messages often seem to be coming from the DMV, and they try to get the recipient to click a link and provide information like your credit card.
My version of the scam started with “Final Notice: Enforcement Penalties Begin on Jun 17. Our records show that as of today, you still have an outstanding traffic ticket. In accordance with California State Administrative Code 15C-16.003, if you do not complete payment by Jun 16, 2025, we will take the following actions”. They will then list a bunch of consequences like suspending your license, etc. Mine was particularly convincing since I knew I had a parking ticket from UCSB that I had never paid, figuring I would never go back anyways.
The main goal of this scam is to collect personal or financial information from vulnerable victims. By creating a sense of urgency the scammer pressures people into acting before thinking if it is legitimate. Once these scammers obtain the information they may use it to make purchases or sell the information to other scammers.
Luckily, there are several ways that someone can determine whether or not a message like this is real. First, I checked the phone number and saw that it was a +63 area code, showing it was a text from the Philippines. Secondly, I noticed the link they provided was not from a .gov address, meaning it was highly unlikely that it originated from a government agency. Lastly, searching online if this message was a new type of scam is what really helped me. I was able to see that many individuals have received similar messages, showing that this was in fact a scam.
It was really weird, I received a text message like this a few months ago, but instead with was about a package that I needed to confirm my address about. At the time I had ordered something online, so it seemed believable and I almost clicked the link. I noticed the phone number was strange and the website link was weird as well, so luckily I didn’t click it. I think it’s helpful that you explained how these scams work and how people can recognize them before it’s too late.
Thanks for sharing that experience! Situations like that show why these scams can be so convincing, especially when the message arrives right after you’ve actually ordered something online. When you are already expecting a delivery, it is easy to assume the message is legit. Scammers often rely on the small details going unnoticed, so taking a moment to assess can be critical.
To build on what the other guys said, I notice that I get a lot of scams whenever I order stuff online, makes you wonder who’s selling youre data?
That’s a really interesting point that I did not think of at first! In many cases, I believe that it doesn’t necessarily mean that the company is directly selling your information. Still, scammers often send these messages in large batches, hoping to reach people who recently placed an order. Sometimes data can also come from previous data breaches, leaked email lists, or information that people have shared across multiple websites. That’s why it’s important to be cautious about where you enter your information and to use trusted websites when making purchases.
I think this topic is super important because it seems like scams are becoming more common as people rely on social media more! A lot of people automatically trust these messages that seem to come from well known companies, especially if they look professional! I like how you added practical steps so people can verify information before clicking links!
Thanks! I’m glad you found the topic helpful. I agree that scams are becoming more common as more people use social media. When messages appear profession it is easy for people to trust them without questioning whether they are legitimate. The more people who understand these warning signs, the easier it is to fight back!
I saw one of these as well, and I noticed how real the websites can look. Growing up I thought it would be so obvious if a scam website was fake, but now I can see they are rather convincing. I think your suggestion for carefully checking the url is the most helpful! ✌️
Thanks for sharing! I used to think the same thing, that scam websites are obviously fake, but many of them are designed off the real company pages. This makes it so easy for people to get scammed if they don’t look carefully. It is definitely something more people should be aware of when browsing online!