New cash amount text scam hits Mississauga and Brampton

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Published November 17, 2022 at 7:41 pm

Another scam text is making the rounds in Mississauga and Brampton tonight, this time promising a cash infusion.

The text reads “we did not get out your 265.50, to avoid losing Reply Y.” If residents receive this message they should absolutely not reply Y.

The message is a scam and residents are advised not to give away any personal information or banking details to unverified people or groups.

Messages like this are called “smishing” — a combination of “Short Message Service” (i.e. a text message) and the word “phishing”.

Cyber security experts advise people never to respond to such texts as they confirm to the conmen that the number is active. The texts appear very frequently these days.

In recent weeks new messages have included the receiver’s phone number and their postal code. Other pretend to be from the receiver’s bank, often TD, or to represent the government with a tax rebate.

Most recently a scam text wen around claiming to be able to release the Ontario payout to parents. Meanwhile prior texts claimed they carried the carbon tax return and the car registration refund. All of these are bogus as the government contacts people by mail.

Experts say to watch out for messages that may include what looks like a legitimate website address and asks you enter several pieces of your personal financial information, such as your credit/debit card number, CVV code (on the back of your credit card), your ABM card number, your SIN, your email address, or other personal information.

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