The Text Scammers Are On A Role

Earlier today I posted a scam that came through a text to my cell phone. The problem with these scammers is that they are not that bright. Go through the text below and you will see that they are following a pattern of a scam in the attempt to get your personal information to do an even greater scam.

So I got this scam text last night - I will play along. Scammers just make it to easy to have fun with their time.

Original Scammer Text: Hello I’m Mr. Richard Wahl, the winner of $533 Million In Modest Mega Millions Jackpot, here is my winnings interview WATCH ME HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tne02ExNDrw I’m donating to 100 random individuals. if you get this message note then your number was select after a spin ball. I have spread most of my wealth over a number of charities and organizations I have voluntarily decided to donate the sum of $100,000 USD to you as one of the random selected 100 peoples, All you need to do now is contact Agent Jarvis Carpenter in charge of your winnings, he just need to verify you and process your win. You don’t have to pay any charges fee to get your win.. Here is the number of the agent.... (717) 833-2326 text him now for the delivery of your winnings money.
(writers note: The link to the Youtube link was from 4 years ago. Big red flag.

My Text Response: I was told I won.

Scammers Text Response: I'm Jarvis Carpenter. I'm in charge of your winning. NOTE! You are not to send any money to anyone to claim your winnings...kindly confirm your full name, so i can check it out on the winning list. Thanks .

My Text Response: Michael Lodge

Scammers Text Response: Congratulations! I'll love to let you know that your name is among the winners on the list, Let me know if you are ready to verify yourself to receive your winnings

My Text Response: Sure, go ahead

Scammers Text Response: To proceed to claim your winning payment, you need to send a clear front & back picture of your Driver's License to be sure you are the right person claiming your money. NOTE! You are not to send any money to anyone to claim your winnings. Thanks

My Text Response: This is not a safe sending a copy of my driver's license to someone from a text

Scammers Text Response: no response received

Now what the scammer really wanted was my information. With that information they could do even greater damage by either selling it to other criminals or using it themselves. These scammers are now using the texting system to do run scams on people. Our information is valuable.

This was the second text scam I had received this morning. A text came in identifying themselves from the California EDD. With a link to get information, but was not a EDD government link. These guys are not that smart, if they know the government each site they own identifies themselves as a government agency. And the other big clue, EDD never sends a text.
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So here we go, more and more text scams and the rule - Block Them.