FBI warns Android and iPhone users to 'delete your messages': 'Beware of SMS scams'

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A security vulnerability has been identified in messages sent between Android and iPhone devices. According to the FBI, cybercriminals have begun using these vulnerabilities to seize user data. The FBI, which conducted an investigation following the increasing prevalence of scam messages across the US, uncovered the security flaw in question. Reminding users to be cautious, officials stated that attention should be paid to messages coming from numbers imitating official institutions.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced that scam messages containing fake notifications are spreading between states. Warning Americans, the FBI stated that they should delete suspicious messages received on their phones. The FBI statement emphasized that messages, especially those requesting money or appearing as official institutional notifications, are intended for fraud.

According to a report by Forbes, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stated that scammers are trying to deceive people by sending fake notifications such as toll road debt. The FBI noted that such messages contain urgent warnings requiring a quick response and are intended to trap recipients by causing them to panic.

It was reported that fraud complaints have been received from many states, primarily California, Massachusetts, North and South Carolina, Illinois, Colorado, and Florida. The FBI announced that such cases have increased since March 2024 and have become a serious problem nationwide.

In a statement released on January 17, the FTC stated the following:

''Do not click on links in unexpected messages or reply. Scammers want you to react quickly, but the best method is to stop and check.''

According to the FBI's statement, cyber fraud attempts across the US reached an 'unprecedented' level in 2024

IS CHINA BEHIND THE ATTACKS?

In a statement by officials in Massachusetts, it was shared that official institutions collecting tolls never request payment via SMS. While officials announced that they suspect Chinese cybercriminals regarding the security issue, it was also underlined that users should not click on links sent to their phones.

Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) Communications Manager Lisa Shearer-Salim reported that authorities have launched an investigation into the fraud attempts and stated the following:

'Delete these types of messages immediately and do not click on any links. Be careful against fraud attempts via SMS.'

It is noteworthy that the scam messages increased a few weeks after the FBI's recent warning to 'be careful against Chinese hackers infiltrating US networks.' Cybersecurity expert Brian Krebs said that China-based cybercrime groups frequently use phishing methods. Krebs claimed that there has been a major increase in these fraud methods following the new year and that they could be China-sourced.

News Source: 12punto