FROM CUMBERLAND COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT:

RESIDENTS RECEIVE TEXT MESSAGE SPAM

Cumberland County residents are receiving more text messages from a local bank requesting that you click a link for security reasons.

First National Bank of Tennessee was contacted and confirmed that any text message received from them with a link to click is a scam. The link provided takes you to a page that has a bank logo on it with a login to enter your username and password. By entering your username and password you have provided all the information needed for criminals to access your accounts.

The matter is under investigation at this time. If you receive a text message with a link provided, do not click on the link – call your local bank.

Text Message Spam often uses the promise of free gifts, like computers or gift cards, or product offers, like cheap mortgages, credit cards, or debt relief services to get you to reveal personal information. If you want to claim your gift or pursue an offer, you may need to share personal information, like how much money you make, how much you owe, or your bank account information, credit card number, or Social Security number. Clicking on a link in the message can install malware that collects information from your phone. Once the spammer has your information, it is sold to marketers or, worse, identity thieves.

It can lead to unwanted charges on your cell phone bill. Your wireless carrier may charge you simply for receiving a text message, regardless of whether you requested it.

It can slow cell phone performance by taking up space on your phone’s memory.

It’s illegal to send unsolicited commercial email messages to wireless devices, including cell phones and pagers, unless the sender gets your permission first. It’s also illegal to send unsolicited text messages from an auto-dialer — equipment that stores and dials phone numbers using a random or sequential number generator.

Exceptions to the law:

Transactional or relationship types of messages. If a company has a relationship with you, it can send you things like statements or warranty information.

Non-commercial messages. This includes political surveys or fundraising messages.

Here are a few steps to take if you receive text message spam:
Delete text messages that ask you to confirm or provide personal information: Legitimate companies don’t ask for information like your account numbers or passwords by email or text.

Don’t reply, and don’t click on links provided in the message: Links can install malware on your computer and take you to spoof sites that look real but whose purpose is to steal your information.
Treat your personal information like cash: Your Social Security number, credit card numbers, and bank and utility account numbers can be used to steal your money or open new accounts in your name. Don’t give them out in response to a text.

Place your cell phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry athttps://www.donotcall.gov/.

If you are an AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint or Bell subscriber, you can report spam texts to your carrier by copying the original message and forwarding it to the number 7726 (SPAM), free of charge.

Review your cell phone bill for unauthorized charges, and report them to your carrier.

If you receive unwanted commercial text messages, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/

Be smart say no to text message spam.