I got a message from my good friends Helen and Randy R. in Abernathy, Texas this morning about a text message-based scam. This one was a winner!

Here's the full text of the message:

HI, This is officer Michal Payne from Cyber Crime Investigation Department of Texas State. This is regarding a legal complaint against your name, and your social security number is under investigation. Now before we forward this legal case file to your local Sheriff's Office, call us back as soon as possible only on our direct department number-830-522-5390.

If we do not get any response from your side then we have no option but to issue the possible only on our direct department number-830-522-5390.

If we do not get any response from your side then we have no option but to issue the

arrest warrant against you in 2 working days. So call us back and be on a safer side.

Thanks.

CYBER CRIME INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT.

What a HUGE, STEAMING PILE OF CRAP!

I decided to look up the number on 800notes.com, and it was full of the same scam type info.

Problems with this text include:

  • Poor grammar, these scams usually originate overseas where English is not their first language.
  • No such agency will ever contact you via phone, email or text. If you are in trouble, a man or woman, with a badge will come visit you at your home or place of business
  • The number belongs to a woman in San Antonio, but some crook is spoofing her number. (DO NOT CALL THIS NUMBER OR THIS POOR WOMAN, IT'S NOT HER FAULT!)

One tool that can help is 800notes.com. It is a reverse directory that will alert you to phone scams. Also, if you don’t know the number calling you, don’t answer it and don’t call or text it back; just ignore it.

And, most importantly, educate your elderly friends and family members, as they are the most common target of these scams.

Thanks to Helen and Randy for pointing this out and bringing it to our attention.

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