![\"FBI](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753798270_446_960x0.jpg\")
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Do not make this mistake on your phone.<\/p>\n
AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Republished on July 29 with new text attack warnings for smartphones users.<\/p>\n
The FBI warns<\/a> that \u201cmalicious actors\u201d continue to send fraudulent texts and voice messages to \u201cgain access to personal accounts.\u201d Do not reply to messages<\/a> unless you recognize the sender\u2019s number. But there\u2019s more you must do to safeguard accounts.<\/p>\n America is under attack from a malicious texting industry sending out billions of messages. Whether undelivered packages, unpaid tolls and DMV fines<\/a> or Amazon refunds<\/a>, the objective is to steal your data, your money, even your identity.<\/p>\n But sometimes even legitimate texts can be dangerous.<\/p>\n ForbesPorn Ban\u2014New Threat For Millions Of Smartphone UsersBy Zak Doffman<\/a><\/p>\n We\u2019re talking two-factor authentication (2FA), which the bureau says you should set up \u201con any account that allows it,\u201d and should \u201cnever disable.\u201d But most 2FA codes are delivered by text. And the problem with texts is that you can send them on to others.<\/p>\n Never do that, the FBI warns \u2014 regardless of who\u2019s asking.<\/p>\n \u201cActors may use social engineering techniques to convince you to disclose a 2FA code,\u201d the bureau says in an advisory<\/a> reshared this week. Doing so lets attackers \u201ccompromise and take over accounts.\u201d Even if the request comes from someone you know, \u201cnever provide a two-factor code to anyone over email, SMS\/MMS or encrypted messaging.\u201d<\/p>\n ESET\u2019s Jake Moore warns the same. \u201cScammers often trick people into revealing them to bypass security checks and take control so even if someone claims to be from your bank, trusted company or even a family member, keep OTPs to yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n ForbesMicrosoft Deadline\u201472 Hours To Stop Using Your PasswordsBy Zak Doffman<\/a><\/p>\n This all sounds very basic. But if an attacker hijacks one of your friend\u2019s messaging accounts, they can pretend to be your friend and ask you to send a code, telling you their phone is not working. The scam is remarkably effective.<\/p>\n While you should never share OTP text messages, you can better protect yourself if you stop using them altogether. Use an authenticator app, or better still use a passkey. This links your account to your physical device, making it impossible to steal and use a code.<\/p>\n Shifting from SMS to authenticator apps or passkeys is critical now SMS interception and bypass is more common. Per Cybersecurity News<\/a>, \u201ccriminal enterprises no longer require extensive technical expertise to deploy advanced mobile threats, as ready-to-use malware kits are now available for subscription fees as low as $300 per month.\u201d<\/p>\n ForbesApple\u2019s \u2018Aggressive\u2019 iPhone Update Has \u2018Profound Implications\u2019By Zak Doffman<\/a><\/p>\n Banks in Australia<\/a> and UAE<\/a> are already calling time on SMS 2FA codes, and you should now do the same. But if you are using those codes, it\u2019s even more critical that you never share them, regardless of who is who\u2019s asking and the reason they\u2019re giving.<\/p>\n While SMS persists, Cybersecurity News warns of a \u201cfundamental shift toward industrialized cybercrime, where specialized providers handle technical complexities while criminal customers focus solely on victim targeting and monetization strategies.\u201d<\/p>\n