“All I have to do is verify my identity and I get money?”

For us in the space, this is an obvious scam attempt. For those who aren’t as deep-rooted in fraud as we are, here are some items to consider when these messages hit your inbox.

1. DO NOT CLICK THAT LINK. If a text or email asks you to do anything with your account then immediately become very suspicious. If you want to verify your suspicions then take your normal path to access your account or call a known number to the company. Never trust any information supplied by text or email.

2. Am I expecting someone to be sending me money? How often do you forget that someone or some company is seeking to send you money? If you are expecting them to send you money, haven’t you provided them with a reliable channel and process by which to receive the funds?

3. If I Google the phone number, does it immediately relate to a Wells Fargo number listed on their website?

These texts are typically reported as spam or unlisted. If they are listed, they are typically used to send more than one flavor of scam, therefore wouldn’t be listed as Well Fargo, but rather some ambiguous name.

4. DON’T…Click…That…Link. On the other side of that link, there are several possible avenues that the fraudster is attempting to guide you through:

A web form, asking you to type in information. This might be login details, Personal Information, or Payment Information.

An automatic download of a malicious piece of software such as Trojans, Keyloggers, Remote Desktop Software, or others.

Big, Scary stuff, right?

I’ve received countless texts like this that target the public. Never fear! The solution is quick to deploy: Block the number, delete the text, and move on with your day!

Be proactive, my friends.