What happens if you text a scammer back?
Directly replying to a spam text message lets a spammer know that your number is genuine. What happens next They can sell your phone number to other spammers who might bombard you with false promises of free gifts and product offers. Instead, its best to block and report the number.
Can you get by replying to a text?
The simple answer - no, you can not get by replying to a text message. However, it is not a good idea to reply to texts from senders that you do not know. Even though it is unlikely for you to get from replying to a text, it can cause you to receive more unwanted texts in the future.
Why would a scammer want your ZIP code?
Alone, your ZIP code might not be of much value all by itself, but criminals will take that information and post it on underground sites where they buy, sell and trade bunches of personal information. From those sites, criminals can purchase enough of your personal information to use it for fraud.
Is a ZIP code sensitive information?
Sensitive personally identifiable information can include your full name, Social Security Number, drivers license, financial information, and medical records. Non-sensitive personally identifiable information is easily accessible from public sources and can include your zip code, race, gender, and date of birth.
What can someone do with my ZIP code?
Disclosing ZIP codes allows people [to] track their purchases. It creates a profile and that information can be shared with other companies and thats dangerous to have that information in one area, says lawyer Gene J.
What can a scammer do with a ZIP code?
Alone, your ZIP code might not be of much value all by itself, but criminals will take that information and post it on underground sites where they buy, sell and trade bunches of personal information. From those sites, criminals can purchase enough of your personal information to use it for fraud.
Can someone steal your information through a text?
Like phishing emails, smishing texts are social-engineering scams that aim to manipulate people into turning over sensitive data such as Social Security numbers, credit card numbers and account passwords or providing access to a businesss computer system.
Why do people ask for your ZIP code?
Indeed, it turns out your zip code, when combined with other purchase data, is quite revealing! Stores want your ZIP code because, combined with your name from your credit card, they can use it to find out other information about you from commercial databases, like your full mailing address.
Can you get scammed just by replying to a text?
Scam artists know this and sometimes target consumers with phishing scams via text message or SMS (short message service). Text message or SMS phishingalso called smishingoccurs when scam artists use deceptive text messages to lure consumers into providing their personal or financial information.
How do you write ZIP Codes in text?
Include leading characters in postal codes For example, you can use zeros or dashes to display a postal code as follows: 0000000 98052 or ------- 98052.
