How TrustGuard reads real scams

Six common scams, scored and explained. These are illustrative examples.

Case TG-02/SMS/Bank Fraud Alert / SmishingHigh risk · 94

The message

Unknown senderUNVERIFIED

Wells Fargo Fraud Dept: we detected a suspicious charge and your account has been suspended. Verify your identity immediately at http://wf-secure-verify.co or your funds will be frozen. Confirm your full card number, PIN, and Social Security number. To lift the hold you must buy a prepaid card.

The read

High-Confidence Scam

Do not reply or pay. This is very likely a scam.

High

Real banks never ask for your full card number, PIN, and SSN via a text link, and they never require prepaid cards to "lift a hold". The look-alike URL is a giveaway.

Investigation timeline

Input
Text message
Indicators
3 detected
Look-alike domain, Credential harvesting, +1 more
Fraud type
Bank Fraud Alert / Smishing
Risk score
94 / 100 — High
Next step
Do not click the link — contact your bank using the number on the back of your card.

Indicator 1: Look-alike domain
wf-secure-verify.co
Impersonates Wells Fargo with a deceptive URL
Indicator 2: Credential harvesting
full card number, PIN, and Social Security number
Requests card number, PIN and SSN — never sent via text
Indicator 3: Prepaid card demand
buy a prepaid card
Legitimate banks never ask you to buy prepaid cards

Case TG-01·Call91

This is the flagged: Social Security Administration. Your Social Security number has be…