We recently received an email from Jane, who wrote to us about a suspicious text message she received.
Her experience serves as a crucial reminder for all of us to stay alert in the face of these evolving digital threats.
Let’s dive into Jane’s encounter and explore what it means for our financial safety in 2025.
A person receiving a transfer alert scam text (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Jane’s alarming text: A textbook scam attempt
Jane wrote to us with the following concern:
“I just got a text from Kinecta here in California that says, ‘Transfer request of $950.44 to BRYANA WHITE has been approved. If you didn’t authorize please visit (link here) to cancel now.’ Is this a scam text? Should I be worried?”
Excellent question, Jane! Your caution is commendable, and, yes, you should be concerned. Let’s break down this scam attempt and see why it raises so many red flags.
Kinecta scam text (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Red flags: Spotting the scam
Jane’s text message exhibits several telltale signs of a scam that everyone should be aware of:
Urgency as a weapon: Scammers exploit our fear of financial loss to prompt hasty actions. They use phrases like, in this case, “Act now” or “Cancel Now” and warn of dire consequences if immediate action isn’t taken. This urgency is designed to bypass rational thinking and prevent you from verifying the legitimacy of the request.
Suspicious links: Legitimate banks avoid sending security-sensitive links via text. These links could download viruses to your device or lead you to a fake website designed to steal your personal information. Always verify the URL before entering any sensitive data.
Specific yet unfamiliar details: The mention of “Bryana White” and the precise amount of $950.44 is a clever tactic. Scammers often use specific details to create an illusion of legitimacy, even when these details are unfamiliar to the recipient. This approach aims to instill doubt and urgency, increasing the chances that the victim will act hastily.
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Brand impersonation: Scammers often employ brand impersonation tactics, using similar logos, fonts and color schemes to create a facade of legitimacy. This deceptive strategy is designed to manipulate you into believing you are interacting with a trusted institution, thereby increasing the likelihood of falling for their scam.
Unsolicited contact: Be wary of unexpected texts claiming to be from your bank, especially if you haven’t signed up for text alerts.
Spelling and grammatical errors: Look for mistakes in spelling, grammar or punctuation. Legitimate messages from banks are usually written by professionals and are free of errors.
Requests for personal information: Scammers often ask you to “confirm” details like your account number or password. Legitimate banks never request sensitive information via text.
Too good to be true offers: Be skeptical of messages promising large returns or unexpected windfalls.
Pressure tactics: Scammers often use threatening language or impose tight deadlines to manipulate you into acting quickly without thinking.
A person receiving a scam text (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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The scammer’s playbook: Objectives unveiled
These digital deceivers have 3 clear goals in mind:
- Data theft: Luring you to fake websites to harvest login credentials.
- Malware distribution: Tricking you into downloading malicious software.
- Financial fraud: Manipulating you into revealing sensitive financial information.
Illustration of a scammer at work (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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How to protect yourself from text scams
As scammers become increasingly sophisticated, it’s crucial to arm yourself with knowledge and take proactive steps to safeguard your personal information. Here are seven essential tips to help you stay protected:
1. Never click suspicious links in text messages: In Jane’s case, clicking the link could have led to a fake Kinecta website designed to steal her login credentials.
2. Have strong antivirus software: This can help detect and block malicious software that might be downloaded if Jane had clicked on the scammer’s link. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection…
Read More: That bank transfer alert text you received may be a scam