Smishing, a form of phishing that uses SMS (Short Message Service), has become increasingly prevalent in Nigeria. Scammers use deceptive text messages to trick individuals into providing personal information, clicking on malicious links, or transferring money. According to a 2019 survey, Nigeria ranked 7th worldwide for spam message activity, with an average of 65 spam messages received monthly.

Here are some of the most common smishing attacks in Nigeria.

• Communication Channels: Scammers use SMS messages to contact victims directly. These messages often appear to be from legitimate organizations such as banks, government agencies, or service providers. They may use phone numbers that mimic organizations or official-sounding sender names to enhance credibility.
• Urgency and Deception: The scam typically starts with a message claiming that urgent action is required due to an alleged issue with your account or personal information. Scammers create a sense of urgency by threatening account suspension, fines, or other consequences if the recipient does not act quickly. They also create FOMO (fear of missing out), by sending out “limited-time offers” to get you to act without thinking.
• Phishing Links and Phone Numbers: While some smishing messages include malicious links, others provide phone numbers that victims are encouraged to call. These phone numbers may connect to scam operators who impersonate legitimate customer service representatives and solicit personal or financial information.
• Malware Installation: In cases where a link is included, it may lead to a phishing site designed to capture login credentials or install malware on the victim’s device. For phone-based scams, the scammer may attempt to extract sensitive information directly during the call.

Psychologica­l Tactic

• Fear and Panic: Scammers exploit fear by claiming immediate action is needed to avoid severe consequences, such as losing account access or facing legal repercussions. This tactic induces panic, leading victims to act quickly without verifying the message’s legitimacy.
• Greed and Enticement: Some smishing scams offer rewards, prizes, or exclusive benefits to lure victims into providing personal information. This tactic appeals to the recipient’s desire for easy gains.
• Official-Looking Communication: Scammers use official-sounding language, logos, and branding to make their messages appear legitimate, thus lowering the victim’s defenses and increasing the likelihood of compliance.
• Impersonation: By posing as trusted entities, like banks or service providers, scammers exploit the victim’s trust in these organizations to bypass skepticism and prompt immediate action.

Impact on Victims

• Financial Loss: Victims may incur financial losses if they provide sensitive information or make payments based on false claims. Scammers can misuse stolen financial details for fraud or unauthorized transactions.
• Identity Theft: Information collected through smishing scams can be used for identity theft, leading to further financial harm and damage to credit.
• Unauthorized Access: Victims may face unauthorized access to their bank accounts, email, or other sensitive accounts, which can lead to additional risks and financial consequences.
• Emotional Distress: The realization of being scammed can cause significant emotional distress, including anxiety, embarrassment, and frustration.

1. Protecting Others: Reporting scams helps prevent other people from falling victim to the same or similar schemes. It raises public awareness and educates others about the tactics used by scammers.
2. Assisting Law Enforcement: Your report can provide valuable information to law enforcement agencies, helping them track down and prosecute scammers. This can lead to the recovery of stolen funds and the dismantling of fraudulent operations.
3. Improving Public Safety: Reporting scams contributes to a safer community by making it harder for fraudsters to operate and exploit individuals.
4. Reducing Financial Losses: By reporting scams, you contribute to efforts to reduce the overall financial impact of fraudulent activities on society.
5. Empowering Victims: Reporting helps victims feel empowered and supported, knowing they are contributing to a collective effort to combat fraud.

Reporting a Scam Number on Truecaller

In addition to reporting scams to the authorities, you can also report suspicious phone numbers on Truecaller. Truecaller helps identify and block unwanted calls, including those from scammers. Reporting a scam number on Truecaller can help protect other users from falling victim to the same scam.

How to Report a Scam Number on Truecaller

1. Identify the Number: If you receive a call from a suspicious number, note it down or check your call history.
2. Open Truecaller: Launch the Truecaller app on your phone.
3. Search for the number: Use the search bar in Truecaller to look up or paste the scam number.
4. Report as a Scam: Once the number comes up, tap on "Report spam." Select if it is a “business” or “personal” number. Suggest a better name, leave a comment providing any additional details that can help other users identify the nature of the call, and finally select what type of spam it was: fraud, robocall, immigration, political, or an unwanted call. Choose the appropriate category, such as "Scam," "Fraud," or "Spam," and provide any additional details that can help other users identify the nature of the call.
5. Block the number: After reporting the number, you can also block it to prevent further calls.

Why Reporting Scam Numbers on Truecaller is Important

• Community Safety: Reporting scam numbers on Truecaller helps build a safer community by alerting others to potential scams. It allows users to avoid answering calls from known scammers.
• Prevents Fraud: By marking a number as fraudulent, you help reduce the likelihood of others being scammed, as they can see warnings and details provided by other users.
• Increases Awareness: Truecaller compiles data from user reports to identify and flag suspicious numbers, making it a valuable tool for raising awareness about current scams.
• Enhances App Effectiveness: User reports help Truecaller improve its spam detection algorithms and services, making the app more effective at identifying and blocking scam calls.

By reporting scam numbers on Truecaller and to the relevant authorities, you contribute to a collective effort to combat fraud and protect others in the community.

Smishing scams in Nigeria continue to evolve, preying on individuals' trust and emotions to extract personal and financial information. These scams exploit the familiarity of SMS communication and the authority of trusted entities, making it crucial for individuals to stay vigilant. By recognizing common smishing tactics—such as unexpected messages, urgent requests, and suspicious links—people can better protect themselves. Leveraging tools like Truecaller, educating oneself and others, and reporting suspicious activities to local authorities and service providers can collectively reduce the impact of these scams. Staying informed and cautious is the best defense against falling victim to smishing, ensuring that personal and financial security remains intact.