What is ‘Smishing’ and Why Is NH Warning You About It?

Attorney General John Formella warned Thursday about scammers representing themselves as the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services and Division of Motor Vehicles in an attempt to get your personal information via a text.

The practice is called "smishing", the practice of sending a fraudulent message falsely representing yourself as a reputable company or agency.

Fake Sites Look Real

In the New Hampshire scam, a text is sent containing a link that prompts the
receiver to access a fraudulent website entitled “New Hampshire State Covid-19 Vaccine Status Validation." The text includes seals for both agencies to make the text look legitimate.

The site asks for a Social Security number, date of birth, and to upload images of their driver’s license.

Formella offers the following advice to avoid falling victim to text message
scams:

• Do not reply to an unsolicited text message from someone you do not know.
• Do not click on a link contained in a text message from someone you do not know.
• Any unsolicited text message, phone call or email that claims you have won or are
  entitled to money or a prize should be considered a scam.
• Do not provide money or personal information over the phone or by email to someone you do not know.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH