As texting has become an immediate source of communication for many of us, scammers have started to use the method more frequently in order for you to send them money for fake products or services or even to install malware on your phone. Usually, a scammer sends a text with a web link that looks real, so it is easy to understand why so many people are deceived. Some scams that residents in the Four States are seeing include job offers, coupons, or gift cards.

Stephanie Garland of the Better Business Bureau in Springfield says that residents are also receiving fake package delivery text messages, “In some cases, people are getting texts saying we found a package from June that is pending for you please assume ownership as scheduled for delivery all you have to do is click this link right here.” Stephanie says that scammers then send a follow-up text for the following month to make the scam appear real. To see which scams are taking place in your area or to find out if you’ve been the victim of a scam, visit bbb.org.