In recent years, there has been a surge in fraudulent SMS campaigns that prey on unsuspecting individuals. One of the most prevalent scams is the Infosms scam, which tricks people into subscribing to costly premium SMS services. This article will examine the Infosms scam in detail, including how it works, how to avoid it, and what to do if you fall victim to it.
What is the Infosms scam?
The Infosms scam is a deceptive SMS campaign that tricks people into subscribing to premium SMS services. Victims receive a message that appears to be from a legitimate company or organization, such as a mobile carrier or a charity. The message typically promises a prize or a chance to win something if the recipient replies with a specific keyword. However, by replying to the message, the victim unknowingly subscribes to a premium SMS service that charges exorbitant fees for each message received.
How does the Infosms scam work?
The Infosms scam works by taking advantage of people’s desire to win something for free. The scammer sends a message to thousands of people, promising a prize or a chance to win something in exchange for replying with a keyword. When the victim replies with the keyword, they are automatically subscribed to a premium SMS service. The service charges a high fee for each message received, which is often deducted from the victim’s mobile credit or added to their phone bill. The victim may not realize they have been scammed until they receive a bill with unexpected charges.
How to avoid the Infosms scam?
The best way to avoid the Infosms scam is to be cautious when receiving unsolicited messages. If you receive a message promising a prize or a chance to win something, do not reply to it. Legitimate companies and organizations do not typically use SMS to give away prizes. If you are unsure whether a message is legitimate, contact the company or organization directly to verify its authenticity. Additionally, be wary of messages that contain spelling or grammar errors, as this is often a sign of a scam.
What to do if you fall victim to the Infosms scam?
If you believe you have fallen victim to the Infosms scam, the first thing you should do is contact your mobile carrier to report the issue. They may be able to block further premium SMS charges or provide a refund for any unauthorized charges. Additionally, you should unsubscribe from the premium SMS service by replying with the word “STOP” to any message you receive from the service. If you are unable to unsubscribe or if the charges continue, you should contact your mobile carrier again to request assistance.
Conclusion
The Infosms scam is a devious SMS campaign that preys on people’s desire to win something for free. By replying to a message with a specific keyword, victims are unwittingly subscribed to a premium SMS service that charges exorbitant fees. To avoid falling victim to this scam, it is important to be cautious when receiving unsolicited messages and to avoid responding to messages promising free prizes or giveaways. If you do fall victim to the Infosms scam, it is important to act quickly by contacting your mobile carrier and unsubscribing from the premium SMS service.
