Cybercriminals are sending fake California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) texts claiming you have a refund. The message includes a malicious link that looks official but is designed to steal your personal and financial information.
How the scam works:
- You receive a text saying your tax refund is approved and must be claimed by a deadline.
- The link takes you to a fake site (e.g., ftb.ca-ne.cc ) that mimics the real FTB site.
- The site asks for your Social Security number, personal details, and credit card information.
- Once entered, attackers can use your data for identity theft and fraud.
Red flags to watch for:
- Strange or unofficial web addresses (legit FTB sites end in .ca.gov)
- Urgent deadlines threatening loss of refunds
- Requests for sensitive info (SSN, banking, credit card) via text or email
What to do:
- Do not click links in unexpected tax or refund texts.
- Go directly to the official California FTB website: ftb.ca.gov.
- Report suspicious texts by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM).
- If you entered information, contact your bank immediately and report it to the FTC Identity Theft site.
Stay alert, and share this with others so they don’t fall victim.
USC Office of Cybersecurity
For more information about this and other security topics, please visit the TrojanSecure website.
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