Is the Connecticut AT&T Contest Text Message Scam? (Full Explanation!)

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Yes, the Connecticut AT&T Contest text message is a scam. AT&T does not run contests through text messages, and the link in the text message is likely a phishing link that will try to steal your personal information.

How do these scammers operate?

How does this scammers operate


Scammers typically employ a variety of tactics to deceive unsuspecting individuals into divulging personal information or parting with their money. Here’s a closer look at how these scammers operate:

  1. Social engineering and impersonation: Scammers often rely on social engineering techniques to manipulate their targets into trusting them. This could involve posing as a trusted individual or organization, such as a bank, government agency, or tech support company. By creating a sense of urgency or authority, they aim to convince victims to comply with their requests, even if it means providing sensitive information or making unauthorized payments.
  2. Phishing tactics: Phishing emails, texts, and websites are common tools used by scammers to trick victims into revealing personal information. These messages often imitate legitimate sources, such as banks, credit card companies, or online retailers. By clicking on a malicious link or entering personal details into a fake login page, victims unknowingly expose themselves to data breaches and financial fraud.
  3. Fake contests and sweepstakes: Scammers often lure individuals with the promise of winning large sums of money or valuable prizes. They may create fake websites, social media pages, or text messages that appear to be from legitimate organizations or companies. By encouraging participants to provide personal information or make payments to claim their prize, scammers can collect data and money from unsuspecting individuals.
  4. Technical support scams: Scammers may impersonate tech support representatives from companies like Microsoft, Apple, or internet service providers. They may call or send emails claiming that there is a problem with the victim’s device or account and that they need to take immediate action. By guiding victims through fake troubleshooting steps or convincing them to install malware-laced software, scammers can gain access to personal information and control devices.
  5. Investment scams: Scammers often target individuals with promises of high returns on low-risk investments. They may cold call victims, reach out through social media, or offer seminars and presentations to promote their fraudulent schemes. By persuading victims to invest in fake or risky investments, scammers can steal their money and disappear without a trace.
  6. Romance scams: Emotional manipulation is a key tactic employed by romance scammers. They create fake profiles on dating websites or social media platforms, pretending to be charming and genuine individuals. By building trust and emotional connections with their targets, they may ask for money or personal favors, often leading to significant financial losses and emotional distress.
  7. Reshipping scams: Scammers may recruit individuals to receive and reship packages containing stolen goods, often counterfeit or illegal items. They may promise the reshippers a share of the profits or convince them they are helping a legitimate business. However, these individuals are often unaware that they are participating in illegal activities and could face legal consequences.
  8. Advance-fee loan scams: Scammers may offer loans to individuals who are struggling financially. They may require upfront fees or deposits to secure the loan, often claiming that these are processing fees or insurance costs. However, once the money is paid, the loan never materializes, and the scammers disappear with the victim’s funds.
  9. QR code scams: Scammers may use QR codes to redirect victims to malicious websites or phishing pages. These codes can be embedded in emails, text messages, social media posts, or even physical advertisements. By scanning the QR code, victims may unknowingly download malware, provide personal information, or access fake websites designed to steal their data.
  10. Fake charities and donation scams: Scammers may set up fake websites, social media pages, or email campaigns to solicit donations for seemingly legitimate causes. They may impersonate well-known charities or create their own fake organizations to collect donations under false pretenses. By diverting funds from legitimate charities and exploiting the generosity of individuals, scammers cause financial harm and undermine the trust in charitable organizations.

How to limit their Activities

  • Don’t be desperate to make quick money or receive quick gift
  • Confirm information or claims of a ongoing promo you don’t know
  • Double check on the website or call in to validate claims of winnings
  • Don’t disclose any of your personal information online
  • Don’t pay to claim your winnings
  • Don’t disclose sensitive information to claim your earnings
  • Don’t give out OTP to claims your earnings
  • Most manufacturers will not call/ text you to claim your earnings
  • Ask callers to validate your identity instead of the other way round.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I block AT&T scam messages?

By using ATTHelp, download AT&T Call Protect on your device, forward the spam messages to 7726, complete the spam protection form online to block robocall, unwanted text messages and spam calls.

Does AT&T send scam text?

AT&T doesn’t send text or email that request the customer to fill or validate their personal information such as PIN or credit card details. AT&T doesn’t send link to customers to click to claim their prizes.

Why do I keep getting fake text from AT&T?

AT&T has come out to start and warn their valid customer that scammers has taken to text and links to trick customers off their sensitive information. AT&T urges customer to remain patient as it’s working to safeguard customers from this attacks but for now it solicit to customers to ignore text, calls and link of the Connecticut contest.

Am I receiving the text from AT&?

No, you’re not. The text is from a scammer who wants to steal your personal information.

Does AT&T Call protect block text messages?

No, AT&T Call Protect only block out calls and not text.

Conclusion

Scammers have hijack the Connecticut Rewards contest to generate money for themselves and AT&T customers has paid dearly for falling therein. Perpetrators have used mediums such as text and links to gain access to customer’s sensitive information with lofty prizes such as new car, iPads and gift cards.

AT&T is working round the clock to resolve this scam but for now it urges it customers not to click, respond  disclose sensitive information.

Source; https://about.att.com/pages/cyberaware/ni/blog/text_scams

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