If you bank online, you probably know the routine. You enter your password and then wait for a six-digit code to arrive by text. That extra step is supposed to help prove you are really you. Unfortunately, scammers have learned how to turn those codes against us.
A fake bank representative may call and persuade you to read the code aloud. A phishing site can trick you into typing it in. A SIM-swap attack can give a criminal control of your phone number, potentially putting those texted security codes within reach.
The Federal Trade Commission says people reported losing $15.9 billion to fraud in 2025, compared with $12.5 billion in 2024. Imposter scams were the most frequently reported fraud category in 2025, accounting for more than $3.5 billion in reported losses.
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