Relief for iPhone, Android users! Vodafone fake SMS crackdown carries punch

Vodafone has developed a new solution to prevent the never-ending stream of fake SMS.

Vodafone is tackling fake SMS and suggested that if you find anything suspicious you can report. Here's how. (REUTERS)

Last year 2021 was one of the worst in terms of online scams and frauds. Cyber fraudsters opted for new methods to con iPhone and Android phone users and thereby steal their money. From sending SMS, malware, phishing, email to QR codes, every trick was tried to steal data and money. We have even seen SMS being sent to people regarding fake delivery service especially during the festive season sales period. Many of these messages are highly sophisticated, with links leading to fake websites that appear to be totally realistic. Unfortunately, the trend is rising and people's personal data and financial information is at risk. Cybercriminals have acquired knowledge and the wherewithal with which to hoodwink even the best protected devices - they have learnt to trick people alongside honing their ability to hack into phones and other gadgets. This is quite an explosive combination.

With the situation going from bad to worse, telecom company Vodafone UK has came forward with a solution! Vodafone has launched a crackdown against fake SMS and other messages by incorporating anti-fraud defences that will bring relief to iPhone and Android users. Even during the largest shopping season of the year, the telecom company claims to have seen a steady decline in overall reported fraudulent SMS messages in the UK, the Express reported.

What measures Vodafone have taken to tackle fake SMS?

Vodafone has used SMS firewall technology which observes the text of where it comes from and who is the recipient. With nearly 45 million phishing messages blocked since the end of August 2021, the average volume of SMS fraud dropped by 76 percent in December compared to May, it revealed.

In addition to blocking messages, Vodafone also enabled the service for Android users in the UK to report fake or suspicious SMS. Android users can use the '7726' service to report in case they encounter some suspicious texts. All you will need to do is share the suspicious text messages with Vodafone by forwarding on the given number - 7726 for further investigation. Besides this, Android users can also report suspicious text SMS via Google's Messages app.

No matter how much effect it has on minimising the cases of fraud text messages, it is still true that people are falling prey to online scams and fake deals. It is suggested to users that they remain vigilant about the fake text messages and report if they find any suspicious activity regarding text messages and above all, learn to identify online fraud SMS/messages/emails when they see them in their inbox and this applies equally to iPhone and Android phone users. Nothing can be better than that.

How to avoid falling prey to online scams

Step 1. Check for spelling and grammar and design errors in these messages, links and websites. Official website will not have any.

Step 2. Verify websites by checking for the lock icon in URLs

Step 3. Don't get greedy, if a deal is too good to be true, it probably is fake

Step 4. Do not provide any secret data details to strangers on phone (bank names, usernames, passwords)

Step 5. Always type carefully the website you want to visit - double check what you have typed as the fake website URL will be somewhat similar to the original one