Fraudsters are always looking for new ways to deceive people, and the latest danger appears to be coming through regular text messages. Recent findings from cybersecurity experts at Malwarebytes reveal a significant increase in fraudulent chats being sent to mobile phones.

Some of these messages start with a simple ‘Hello’, while others imply that the cybercriminal is already familiar with the recipient. For instance, one message identified by Malwarebytes asks, “Hi, I noticed your contact details are saved in my contacts, can you remind me where we previously communicated.”

The primary goal of these deceptive messages is to establish a connection and extract personal information, ultimately aiming to steal data, as reported by The Express. Once a recipient responds, scammers engage in friendly conversations to build trust, potentially leading to elaborate romance or investment scams, according to Malwarebytes. Despite seeming unbelievable, these schemes have proven to be remarkably successful.

The well-known tactic of pretending to be a family member in need, such as the “Hi mum” ploy, has resulted in substantial amounts of money being transferred to digital criminals in the UK.

It is essential for iPhone and Android users to remain vigilant, refrain from responding, and avoid clicking on any links sent by unknown senders. Malwarebytes warns that replying to such messages confirms the active status of your number, making you a target for further scams where your number may be sold or shared.

If you receive an unsolicited message, here are some basic guidelines to follow to protect yourself and avoid falling victim to these scams.