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A warning has been issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to Android and iPhone users to delete a specific type of hazardous text message immediately. The agency has observed a significant surge of over 700% in attacks related to these texts this month. Originating directly from China, these texts are targeting multiple cities and states across the US. This warning comes after various police forces nationwide have issued alerts. Previously, “unpaid toll texts” were a common issue for American smartphone users, but this has seen a decline recently. In their place, “DMV texts” have emerged, which are considered more threatening by attackers, suggesting an improvement in their methods.
Understanding the Threat of Fake DMV Text Messages to Android and iPhone Users
According to a report by Guardio, the company has been monitoring a concerning rise in scam activity, noticing a 773% surge in DMV scam texts during the first week of June. These scam messages redirect users to phishing websites designed to steal credit card information and make unauthorized charges. The FBI has confirmed an investigation into the DMV scam, with FBI Tennessee’s Supervisory Special Agent David Palmer stating that cybercriminals responsible for the unpaid toll scam have now shifted to the DMV scam. He warned that these texts can install malware on phones, leading to the theft of device information or collection of payment details.
Palmer advised smartphone users to be cautious, saying, “If you don’t know who a text is from, don’t click the link.” The domains used are intentionally misleading, with scammers generating new domains for almost every DMV text, often including ‘.gov’ to appear legitimate.
Cybersecurity firm Resecurity has also warned of an expected significant rise in scam texts in the coming weeks and months. According to the company, a single threat actor can send up to 2,000,000 smishing messages daily, potentially targeting up to 60,000,000 victims per month, or 720,000,000 per year, which is enough to target every person in the US at least twice annually.
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