Media Alert!

July 2025

BLOG #68

Sue Summers

MediaSavvyKids.org

“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” Romans 12:2 (The Message)

Phishing, Smishing, and Skimmers – WHAT???

We all know technology can be used for good or for evil. We love our computers, tablets, and cell phones, but we can suddenly – and easily – become the victim of a scam. It is essential that we become aware of these types of digital theft attacks.

PHISHING

“You’ve probably heard of phishing – when criminals attempt to get you to click on links, submit sensitive details, or download malware via email.” (https://www.staysafeonline.org/articles/what-is-smishing-how-text-message-scams-work-(and-how-to-avoid-them)

SMISHING

“Smishing is phishing… but through text messages. Instead of a scam email landing in your inbox, it arrives as an SMS, iMessage, WhatsApp, or other text-based notification on your phone. The goal is the same: to trick you into clicking a malicious link, sharing personal information, or downloading malware.

Just like phishing, smishing is a type of social engineering attack where a scammer manipulates your emotions to bypass your better judgment. Falling for a smishing scam could expose sensitive information like bank details, passwords, or even give a cybercriminal access to your device.” (https://www.staysafeonline.org/articles/what-is-smishing-how-text-message-scams-work-(and-how-to-avoid-them)

“According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), bank impersonation is the most common text message scam, accounting for 10% of all smishing messages.” (https://www.sentinelone.com/cybersecurity-101/cybersecurity/what-is-smishing)

SKIMMERS

“Scammers have been installing skimming devices on the card readers that are built into ATMs for years, and now they have branched out to the card readers on gas pumps.

The device will intercept your card info and transmit it wirelessly to the crook (who is probably watching you from inside a nearby vehicle).

Once the crook has your stolen card info, he’ll either sell the info to another scammer or use it himself to create a fake duplicate card.

Many skimmers also work in conjunction with a camera that allows the crook to actually watch you type in your card’s PIN as you enter it, making it even easier for him to steal your hard-earned money.

These illicit devices (skimmer and camera combo) can be purchased online for less than $20 each, hence the explosion in their usage across the country.” (https://www.ricksdailytips.com/beware-skimming-devices)

In addition to these common scams, there are numerous others to be aware of:

• Toll road fees: “The FCC has received consumer complaints about imposters sending fraudulent text messages claiming to be from one of several legitimate toll payment companies… The scam texts say that the recipient has an unpaid toll or owes a balance on their account, which will be suspended if immediate payment is not made.

The sender’s number may be spoofed to look like it’s from a toll company. The scam text will likely include a link and ask you to click the link to pay immediately or verify your information. The link appears to be an official website but is actually a phishing site designed to fool you.” (www.fcc.gov)

• Brushing: “You received a package in the mail, but didn’t order anything? This is then followed by a fake review online. While it may appear to be a victimless crime—you did after all get some free stuff—the reality is that your personal information may be compromised.” (https://www.uspis.gov/news/scam-article/brushing-scam)

• Fraud activity regarding your bank account: “Did someone supposedly spot fraud or criminal activity on one of your accounts? Did they offer to help ‘protect’ your money by moving it from your bank, investment, or retirement account? Maybe they even asked you to share a verification code? If anyone did any of those things, it’s always a scam.” (https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/06/got-call-about-fraud-activity-your-bank-account-it-could-be-scammer)

As consumers in the digital age, familiarity and convenience may be the reasons our “danger radar” isn’t always triggered, and we may fall for one of these nefarious schemes. How much more vulnerable are our teens, who often believe themselves to be more tech savvy than any significant adult around them and would never consider asking for tech input from anybody.

Become more wary and discerning. I call it being a “healthy skeptic”. God directs us with wisdom as we desire to receive it. As Proverbs 18:15 tells us:

“Wise men and women are always learning,
                   always listening for fresh insights.”    (The Message)

So how can we help teens become media-savvy about the culture that surrounds them?

With so much information and personal communication coming at each of us every day, it becomes difficult to sort out the meaningless, the misinformation, and the disinformation. President Ronald Reagan often quoted an old Russian proverb, ”Trust but verify.” Absolutely, society needs us to trust the systems which allow interactions with others and with institutions, but we need to not do so blindly. How do we truly verify what we see, read, or hear? This is an on-going concern that needs to be discussed – frequently – with teens. Here are some discussion starters that can stimulate critical thinking for all involved:

• Share, “Let’s talk about scams. What do you know about some of the trending scams? Have you or any of your friends fallen victim to a scam?”

• Share the definitions above about phishing, smishing, and skimmers. Ask the teens if they have had their information stolen.

• Explain that we are all potential victims of scams and must stay vigilant. Read together and discuss the information at this website: https://scamsnow.com/teens-and-young-adults-now-a-major-target-of-scammers

• Share any experience you know of regarding bank fraud texts or phone calls, toll road scams, or other attempts to steal personal information.

• Ask, “Why do you think this is so prevalent now?” Share this information: “These illicit devices (skimmer and camera combo) can be purchased online for less than $20 each.” Discuss why this is relevant information.

• Share and discuss this scripture:

“Wise men and women are always learning,
                   always listening for fresh insights.” Proverbs 18:15 (The Message)

• Discuss this question, “How do we know if we are wise?”

• Share, “It is even more urgent now that we all pay attention to emails, texts, and phone calls from people or organizations we don’t recognize. Unfortunately, technology can be easily used for identity theft and fraud. Let’s talk about this again as we discover scam attempts in our lives.”

Note: Share this blog with your church’s youth pastor as a lesson for youth group gatherings.

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Sue Summers is a Christian media analyst, teacher, author, and speaker.

She is the Director of Media Alert!

Contact Info:

Blogs: MediaSavvyKids.org

Website: http://www.MediaAlert.org

Email: Sue@MediaAlert.org

#MediaSavvyKids, #ChristianParenting, #ChurchAndCulture, #YouthPastors, #YouthGroupCurriculum, #HelpForChristianParents, #TeensAndCulture, #AChangingCulture, #CriticalThinkingAndTeens, #IAmNotDefinedByTheCulture, #PhishingSmishingAndSkimmers, #ScamsAndTeens, #Let’sThinkAboutThis!

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© Sue Summers 2025