On September 17, New York’s Division of Consumer Protection sounded the alarm about a new phishing scam dubbed the “Friendly Greeting” scheme. This scam typically targets residents through text messages from unknown senders, threatening to compromise their personal information and financial security.
Walter T. Mosley, the Secretary of State, highlighted that scammers are constantly innovating their tactics to gain public trust and steal sensitive data. The “Friendly Greeting” phishing scam is one of the latest methods in their playbook. He stressed the importance of vigilance, urging consumers to be cautious, especially when receiving messages from unfamiliar contacts that might seem friendly.
The Federal Trade Commission notes that these fraudsters often initiate conversations with casual greetings that may include the recipient’s name or other personal details, creating an illusion of familiarity. Messages might start with innocent phrases like “Hey, how are you?” or “Is this [Name]?” before progressing to invitations such as “Want to go shopping tomorrow?” or “Are we eating out tomorrow night?”
If a victim responds, scammers may continue the conversation with more questions, gradually leading to a deceitful scenario. The state recommends that individuals avoid replying to any messages from unknown numbers, particularly those that feel overly casual or friendly. Residents are encouraged to delete such messages and utilize the “report spam” feature on their phones or forward any scam texts to 7726.
In addition, blocking the sender’s email address or phone number is a strong preventive measure. The Consumer Protection Office warns that clicking links in scam messages can result in ransomware being installed on devices, which can track online activity or even seize control of devices to extort money for access.
The potential fallout from these scams includes the theft of sensitive personal information like passwords, credit card numbers, and bank PINs, which could then be used to apply for loans, credit cards, or execute other fraudulent financial transactions.
