Vicky Nguyen

So phishing is when you get an email from a scammer that says, hey, click here, do this or that. Smishing means the scam is coming in through your text. You get a link and they say, click on this link because you have an unpaid bill. You're going to get late fees.

and there's an urgency to it, what they really want to do is get you to click on the link and get your personal information, your credit card details, your banking information, and download something called malware onto your devices, which is software that is designed to invade your computer or your phone. So never tap on a link that you get.

and there's an urgency to it, what they really want to do is get you to click on the link and get your personal information, your credit card details, your banking information, and download something called malware onto your devices, which is software that is designed to invade your computer or your phone. So never tap on a link that you get.

If for some reason you think this could be legitimate, go to your state toll website or call the 800 number that's on your bill. Look it up online and go to the site. Never tap on a foreign link that's sent to you.

If for some reason you think this could be legitimate, go to your state toll website or call the 800 number that's on your bill. Look it up online and go to the site. Never tap on a foreign link that's sent to you.

You know, it's unclear how they are targeting the victims, Andrea, but these days on the dark web, a lot of our data is floating out there that's been involved in hacks of major companies, right? And so that means that your personal information is out there to go to the highest bidder.

You know, it's unclear how they are targeting the victims, Andrea, but these days on the dark web, a lot of our data is floating out there that's been involved in hacks of major companies, right? And so that means that your personal information is out there to go to the highest bidder.

And a lot of times they are entering this information into some sort of automated system that can just push out a bunch of texts. And they're just hoping that a small percentage of those people tap on those links and then, boom, the hackers have access to your banking accounts and they can rack up a bunch of charges or try to drain your bank account.

And a lot of times they are entering this information into some sort of automated system that can just push out a bunch of texts. And they're just hoping that a small percentage of those people tap on those links and then, boom, the hackers have access to your banking accounts and they can rack up a bunch of charges or try to drain your bank account.

Exactly. And often there's an amount due, right? It's a number that looks like it could be legitimate. We're often in a hurry. We tap on things before we even think about it. And so my advice is always pause before you tap. Click anything. Think to yourself, does this look legit? Just remember, the government, they're all about the snail mail.

Exactly. And often there's an amount due, right? It's a number that looks like it could be legitimate. We're often in a hurry. We tap on things before we even think about it. And so my advice is always pause before you tap. Click anything. Think to yourself, does this look legit? Just remember, the government, they're all about the snail mail.

So anytime you get something that's like a phone call or an email or a text, you should be extra suspicious.

So anytime you get something that's like a phone call or an email or a text, you should be extra suspicious.

Yeah, so if you have clicked on it and you did pay this money, you do want to report it immediately to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. That website is ic3.gov. So ic3.gov. And you can at least file a complaint. I would also advise you to go to your credit card company. Hopefully, they can either stop the payment or reverse the charge and give you a new credit card.

Yeah, so if you have clicked on it and you did pay this money, you do want to report it immediately to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. That website is ic3.gov. So ic3.gov. And you can at least file a complaint. I would also advise you to go to your credit card company. Hopefully, they can either stop the payment or reverse the charge and give you a new credit card.

And I should say you should probably put a freeze on your credits. or maybe sign up for a credit monitoring system because what else did they get access to in that time in terms of your identity?

And I should say you should probably put a freeze on your credits. or maybe sign up for a credit monitoring system because what else did they get access to in that time in terms of your identity?

They're just hoping that a small percentage of those people tap on those links and then boom, the hackers have access to your banking accounts.

They're just hoping that a small percentage of those people tap on those links and then boom, the hackers have access to your banking accounts.

They're just hoping that a small percentage of those people tap on those links and then boom, the hackers have access to your banking accounts.