SMS Message Spoofing: How to Prevent Fake SMS?

We all receive SMS alerts, and sometimes we receive these messages from people and organizations we do not know. The questions to find answers to are How did they get our contacts? What is SMS Spoofing, How does it Work, And How Do We Stay Safe?

How does SMS Message Spoofing Work?

The term SMS Message Spoofing is used to explain the situation where people and organizations send text messages to contact lists using fake send IDs, which makes it extremely difficult for the receiver to know who sent it and how valid the message is.

The message could be sent with a phone number, email, or business name. SMS Spoofing has been described as a fraudulent activity that is used to impersonate others such as individuals and businesses to have access to very important information of the recipient. Often the message accessed by the person or group behind the SMS Spoofing is used for fraudulent activities. Once those behind the spoofing send the message, they add malicious links to the message and engage in a phishing message sending

SMS Spoofing is not entirely a bad thing since Businesses can use it as a marketing strategy through SMS marketing using the services of Bulk SMS Campaigns

In doing SMS marketing through the bulk SMS alert, the company or individual may alter the number or name that appears on the recipient’s device.

Unfortunately, Scammers also use the same systems and may spoof numbers of top brands from criminal activities. This ends up deceiving recipients, who may think they are dealing with the actual brand owners and their agents. Where the receiver of such a message is not careful, he or she may be for instance deceived into making dubious transactions and payments.

How Hackers Get Your Personal Information For Sending Spoofed Messages

Hackers are also trying to be several steps ahead of security agencies and cybersecurity experts hence they may deploy different techniques to aid their efforts in accessing the personal details of the public and use the information to send spoofed SMS messages.

These techniques include

1. Social engineering: This is when a hacker uses deception and manipulation to gain access to a person’s personal information. This can include creating false online profiles, sending phishing emails, and more.

2. Stealing information from online databases: Hackers can use malicious software (malware) to access databases that store personal information such as credit card numbers, social security numbers, and more.

3. Hacking into a person’s device: Hackers can use various methods to gain access to information stored on a person’s device, including using keyloggers or other malicious software.

4. Buying information on the dark web: Hackers can purchase personal information from criminals on the dark web, which is an underground area of the internet where criminals often trade illicit goods and services.

SMS Spoofing Examples

SMS spoofing examples include phishing attempts, malicious link sharing, and SMS-based scams.

For example, a scammer could spoof a text message from a trusted source such as a bank, asking you to provide your personal information. This could be used to gain access to your online banking accounts or other personal information.

Another example is a malicious link shared in an SMS that could lead to a website containing malware. They also include and are not limited to

Fake money transfers

Often, scammers will impersonate banks and text victims about fake transfers especially when it’s an online transaction.

Fake sender IDs

Scammers can pretend to represent popular businesses and con people into renewing their subscriptions by redirecting them to a site that has nothing to do with the company. This is referred to as phishing: they add a link to the message, the user clicks on it, and the scam is complete.

READ: Why are Search Engine Optimization SEO and Digital Marketing Necessary For Chicago Businesses in 2023?

Harassment (stalking, family emergency, etc.)

Scammers can assume any identity they wish and they don’t always use it for financial reasons. Sometimes, it could be personal. Some use it to threaten people and start pranks.

How Can SMS Spoofing be Detected?

SMS spoofing can be detected by analyzing the data associated with the message. If the sender’s phone number, time of sending, and location are inconsistent with the data of the sender, then it is likely that the message has been spoofed.

Other methods of detecting spoofed messages include checking the message against a blacklist of known spoofed numbers and using encryption methods to ensure that spoofed messages can’t be sent.

Additionally, some companies provide software that can check the phone carrier and detect spoofed messages.

Most Effective Ways to Avoid SMS Spoofing

1. Use two-factor authentication: Two-factor authentication is a valuable tool to help protect your accounts from unwanted access. It requires you to use OTP SMS verification in order to access your account. Without the code, someone trying to break into your account won’t be able to access it.

2. Use SMS filtering services: Some companies offer SMS filtering services that use algorithms to detect suspicious messages and block any SMS spoofing attempts.

3. Use trusted applications for texting: Use applications from trusted sources, such as your phone’s operating system or app store, to send and receive text messages.

4. Avoid clicking on links from unknown numbers: If you receive a text message from an unknown number, it’s best to avoid clicking on any links or attachments included in the message.

5. Don’t respond to suspicious messages: If you receive a message that seems suspicious, don’t respond to it. Instead, delete the message immediately.