Responsible for $13 billion stolen from American consumers in the first half of 2023, scam texts remain a serious threat to virtually everyone with a phone. Many of these scams impersonate legitimate companies and services that people rely on every day, like their financial institutions. All scam texts are dangerous, but those targeting your bank account are especially lethal.
With the right information, scammers can steal your money and your identity, so it’s critical to know how to protect yourself. This blog discusses the nature of Truist scam texts, including how they work, how to spot and avoid them, and what to do if you’ve fallen victim to one.
The Truist alert scam is a specific type of bank fraud that targets users of Truist Bank. The scammer alerts the target to a fake issue, like fraudulent activity or an account freeze. Fixing the issue supposedly requires private information like email addresses, debit card details, and Social Security numbers, which the scammer uses to access the victim’s accounts. When the scam is done via text message, this is usually accomplished using a link to a spoofed website that steals any information the victim enters.
Scammers tend to aim for quantity over quality, sending the same text out to a mass of recipients. That means some people who receive Truist alert scams aren’t even Truist customers. Report and delete Truist scam texts whether you bank with Truist or elsewhere.
Truist Bank scams work similarly to other bank scams, like those that claim to be from Chase, Citibank, Bank of America, or Venmo.
The details may vary, but here’s a basic overview of how Truist scam texts work:
Many Truist scams are done by text message, but smishing isn’t the only method fraudsters use to target your bank account. Be on the lookout for Truist phishing scams through other mediums and protect your personal data from criminals.
Social media platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and X have messaging features, making them viable channels for phishing scams. Some scammers pose as Truist on social media and request personal information or encourage you to click a malicious link. Just like scam texts, social media phishing aims to uncover personal data that can be used to steal money and assets.
A social media presence is all but mandatory in today’s uber-connected society, but you should be careful who you connect with. Make sure you know your online friends and followers, and don’t respond to or click the links in messages from strangers. Set your profiles to private so only people you know and trust can view your posts and information. Treat Truist scams on social media the same as smishing schemes: Report and delete them.
Some Truist scams come through unsolicited emails. Like smishing and social media phishing attacks, Truist phishing emails seek to uncover your confidential information, often using a link to a spoofed website. Scammers send them from email addresses that look similar to official Truist accounts, so they may appear legitimate at a glance. Always verify the sender’s address, and if you think there’s a problem with your account, log in online or via the Truist app instead of clicking any links in the email.
It’s easier to avoid falling victim to Truist scam texts when you know how to identify them. Truist will never ask for sensitive information by text, but scammers will. Use the tips below to recognize scam texts before they have the chance to do any damage.
If you get a text message that claims to be from Truist, first look at the number it was sent from. Legitimate Truist texts come from the short code 878478, not a standard 10-digit phone number. Email alerts typically come from alertnotifications@message.truist.com. Don’t trust text messages or emails that weren’t sent from official Truist numbers or addresses.
Scammers try to get you to act as quickly as possible before you realize you’re being tricked. They create a sense of urgency by claiming an unmissable deal is about to expire or threatening penalties for not acting right away. They may become agitated if you stall or ask too many questions. Always be suspicious of unsolicited text messages that push you to take immediate action.
Scam texts often come from overseas, written by people who don’t speak English as their first language. That’s why many scam texts have spelling and grammar errors you wouldn’t see in a legitimate text message from an American business. In addition to spelling mistakes and questionable grammar, look out for odd or uncommon characters (like æ, ü, or î).
Never tap or click the link in an unexpected text message, especially if it comes from an unfamiliar number. These links usually bring you to a fake website or download malware onto your device. Some scams include a hyperlink with custom text, which you see instead of the URL. However, you can see the URL and preview the page by long-tapping the hyperlinked text (or hovering over it with your cursor if you’re texting on a computer).
Knowing how to respond to a scam text can help you avoid severe consequences like financial loss and identity theft. If you get a suspicious text that claims to be from Truist, follow the steps below.
Phone fraud can be extremely dangerous, but there are ways to block spam texts, protect your privacy, and prevent scammers from getting away with your personal information. Use the tips below to bolster your defense and protect yourself from Truist scam texts.
Falling victim to a Truist text scam can be scary. But if you act quickly, you may be able to minimize the damage or even get out of the situation unharmed.
Understanding the inner workings of phone scams can help you avoid fraud and identity theft. However, you can truly take back your privacy and peace of mind by preventing suspicious calls from reaching your phone in the first place. Robokiller blocks 99% of dangerous scam texts and annoying spam calls, so most fraudsters never make it through.
Robokiller has proven itself an essential tool in the fight against spam and scams. Our cutting-edge features and robust algorithm have contributed to a lengthy resume that includes:
Put an end to Truist scam texts and other dangerous phone fraud when you start your free 7-day trial of Robokiller today.
