Fraud attempts via SMS are nothing new. Almost every day there are new horror stories from tricked mobile phone users who have been taken in by a scammer and have often lost a lot of money in the process. DHL Paket is now warning of precisely such cases, because the company’s name is often used as a decoy by cybercriminals.
Fake DHL SMS with link
Among other things, DHL has now published a warning about fake SMS on Facebook to sensitize users to the topic (via Caschy). DHL Paket explains that there are currently text messages in circulation that claim to be from DHL or DHL Paket. The content of the SMS is similar. Users should update their address data and/or authorize payments for the onward delivery of packages. A link is then built into the SMS, which should not be clicked under any circumstances.
The perfidious thing about the currently rampant SMS scams in the name of DHL is that these SMS sometimes appear in real, older SMS histories with DHL Paket. Nevertheless, it is a fake. “But we never ask you to make payments or change (address) data via SMS,” writes DHL. This is an important differentiator to the real info-SMS that the group sends.
Tips against fraudulent SMS
It has not yet been explained how the SMS can be displayed in the history of old SMS messages from the “real” DHL Paket Support. But you should be very careful not to fall for the scam. Since it is difficult to protect yourself from receiving such fraudulent SMS, there are instead a number of tips on how to deal with phishing SMS. We had already published a short guide on the subject some time ago, because that Federal Office for Security in Information Technology (BSI) has published. The tips are still relevant.
Have you ever encountered such an SMS or fallen for a fake message? Share your experiences with us in the comments!
What to do if you have already clicked on a link and disclosed data?
If you have already clicked on a link or even installed software, the BSI also recommends:
- Take your device off cellular coverage by turning on Airplane mode. This prevents further SMS transmissions and any communication between Android malware and other devices.
- Inform your cell phone provider about your case.
- Check your bank account or payment service provider for charges that you did not intend to make.
- In this case, too, it is advisable to have a third-party lock set up. Your cell phone provider can help you here.
- File a criminal complaint with the local police station. Take your smartphone with you to preserve evidence.
- Factory reset your smartphone (after filing a complaint). Back up all important data such as photos, documents, etc. locally (e.g. via a USB connection) beforehand. With a factory reset, all saved and installed data will be lost. However, this step is necessary to completely remove the Android malware distributed via the latest SMS spam messages.
- DHL warns of SMS fraud on behalf of the group.
- Criminals use new tricks to get addresses.
- DHL gives tips on how to protect yourself from phishing SMS.
- SMS sometimes show up in real history.
- One should never click on links in these SMS.
See also:
