augusta g.a. (WFXG) - WHILE YOU’RE SHOPPING online, TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THOSE LAST MINUTE CYBER MONDAY DEALS, be mindful of SCAMmers. According to Kevin wade, ceo of Intellisystems, one of the most scams TO BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR is Smishing.

the term "SMISHING" is used because hackers use SMS or text messages as A ROUSE TO GET YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION OR MONEY. "YOU GET A TEXT, ASKing YOU TO DO SOMETHING," says wade. "OFTEN TIMES THERE’S A LINK, WHERE IF YOU SELECT IT, IT WILL DOWNLOAD MALWARE ONTO YOUR PHONE OR YOUR COMPUTER, which INSTALLS INFORMATION FOR THE SCAMMER TO GET ACCESS TO YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION.”

wade says that THE HOLIDAYS often bring A RISE IN ONLINE CRIME. SINCE 2020, ONLINE PURCHASE SCAMS HAVE BEEN THE MOST REPORTED form of cyber threat.

he says that HACKERS MIGHT employ the tactic of TEXTing YOU THE LINK TO A FAKE EMAIL OR WEBSITE TO ACCESS A GREAT DEAL. BUT, IF THAT PRICE LOOKS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS. THEY WILL often LOOK LEGIT, INCLUDING GRAPHICS THAT MAKE IT LOOK LIKE THE ACTUAL COMPANY.

wade says a good indication of illegitimacy is when it's an OFFER THAT YOU DO noT EXPECT. “THOSE ARE NEVER LEGIT, THEY PREY ON THE FACT THAT IT’S A DEAL THAT LOOKS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.” THEIR ultimate GOAL: TO GET YOU TO CLICK ON A LINK that asks you to FILL OUT A FORM OR MAKE A PAYMENT THROUGH CREDIT CARD. before doing this, WADE ADVISES, CALL A LEGIT NUMBER CONNECTED TO THE COMPANY TO VERIFY if the offer is real or not, NOT THE phone number THEY GIVE YOU.

wade also notes that THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU SAYS YOU SHOULD ALWAYS GO STRAIGHT TO THE SOURCE INSTEAD OF REPLYING, WHEN PRESENTED WITH THOSE deals that seem too GOOD TO BE TRUE.

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