Did you get a verification code you didn't request? You could be in danger
Our content marketing queen Allie gets texts with her Uber sign-in code now and then. The problem? She’s not trying to get into her Uber account; someone else is.
She ignores them because she’s well-versed in smishing, phishing and other criminal schemes. Tap or click here for a crash course in smishing scams. But of course, not all texts with verification codes are fraudulent.
Sometimes you might get a verification code for a good reason. The problem is that it’s hard to distinguish between scams and important texts. That’s why we’ve put together this guide that will help you learn what to do when you get a random text with a verification code.
Always be cautious
In general, take it as a sign to be more vigilant. An unrequested verification code is a giant neon sign saying, “Someone is trying to sign in to your account!” That means your username and password could be compromised.
Thus, it’s time to log into your account and change your password. Make sure you’re coming up with something strong and unique. Tap or click here to create easy-to-remember yet super-tough passwords.
This could also signify that your account details were leaked in a data breach. These aren’t nearly as rare as they should be. Criminals constantly launch coordinated attacks on organizations that have your private details, from businesses to hospitals.
So it’s a good idea to check cybersecurity databases now and then. They’re super easy to use: Just enter your email address or phone number, and you’ll see if your private details are public property. Tap or click here for one free database that lets you see if your data is floating around the web.
Are the alerts coming from your bank? Watch out
Some accounts are much more critical than others, of course. A verification code for your Netflix account isn’t as dangerous as one from your bank. If you’re getting an alert from your bank, call it and check to see if anyone has accessed your account.
It’s best to nip any potential financial issues in the bud ASAP. Otherwise, you could deal with a drained bank account, a ruined credit score and a stolen identity. Tap or click here for three surefire signs someone stole your identity.
Take the extra time to reach out to your bank. Don’t reply to the text directly. Instead, look up the website or location and call the official number.
Selling something online? Reveal your real number and someone could hack your accounts
As long as the internet exists, there will be scams. This is an unfortunate reality. We can only hope to be as vigilant as possible, but even the most careful people out there can fall victim.
A little extra pocket money is always useful, especially during a pandemic. One way to supplement income is to sell your old stuff. This can become quite lucrative if you have the right item and buyer lined up. Tap or click here to see how easy it is to sell old trading cards on eBay.
2 new scams Komando readers emailed to tell me about
Everyone hates scammers, but we have to give them credit for the effort. You can only fool people for so long with the same old tech support and phishing scams, which is why creative new scams deserve extra attention and scrutiny.