The New York State Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is urging New Yorkers to be cautious of “friendly greeting” phishing scams, which have become an increasingly common tactic among fraudsters. These scams often involve deceptive text messages from unknown senders, posing as friendly or familiar contacts, with the goal of tricking consumers into revealing personal information or clicking on harmful links.
Phishing scams use fraudulent communications that appear to be from trusted sources but aim to steal sensitive information or install malware on a device. The messages often come through text, email, or chat platforms such as WhatsApp, Signal, or Facebook Messenger.
“Scammers are always finding new ways to gain trust and steal your information, and phishing scams are one of the latest techniques,” said Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “Consumers should be on high alert when receiving messages from unknown senders, even if they seem friendly or familiar.”
What do phishing scams look like?
According to the Federal Trade Commission, phishing scams can start with a simple greeting message, such as “Hi, how are you?” or “Do you want to go shopping tomorrow?” The goal is to engage the recipient in a conversation, gaining their trust before proceeding to ask for personal information or sending malicious links. These messages may even include your name to appear more personalized and legitimate.
How should you protect yourself?
The Division of Consumer Protection recommends several tips to help New Yorkers avoid falling victim to phishing scams:
- Do not reply to messages from unknown numbers.
- Report the message using your phone’s “report junk” option or by forwarding unwanted texts to 7726 (SPAM).
- Block the sender’s number or email address.
- Be cautious when receiving unsolicited messages and avoid engaging with suspicious senders.
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