Reported April 9, 2008
The purpose of this fraud alert is to inform you of a scam that involves unsolicited text messages sent to cell phones. The message urges the recipient to call a number provided for information about account discrepancies and then solicits individual account information and pin numbers.
Cell phone users should be weary of unsolicited text messages. Such messages should be deleted and all deleted text messages should be removed, if possible, as the perpetrators have been known to use Spyware1 in conjunction with their text message solicitation.
Such a scam could be used to obtain personally identifiable information and financial account access information, for those who access their accounts using their cell phones.
1
Spyware is software installed on your computer or cell phone without your consent and it monitors or controls your
use of the device. It may be used in your cell phone for such things as monitoring your Internet surfing, activating
your speaker phone as a listening device, taking pictures with your phone camera, copying your contacts, or
recording your keystrokes, which, in turn, could lead to identity theft.
