Your smartphone has likely become a gateway for fraudsters who are now utilizing common business software to launch attacks at an unprecedented scale. According to a recent report from the Better Business Bureau, scam calls and texts have surged past other types of fraud to become the primary method criminals use to target victims. Josh Planos, a spokesperson for the organization, explains that this shift is driven by the sheer profitability of these operations and a desire among scammers to scale their efforts using modern technology.
The surge is largely possible because bad actors are hiding behind legitimate digital services. By leveraging tools designed for honest businesses, such as VOIP phone numbers, bulk texting platforms, and AI-generated voice and video content, scammers can cast a wide net with very little overhead. The BBB’s analysis of nearly 440,000 reports suggests that these low barriers to entry allow fraudulent schemes to evolve faster than the people tasked with stopping them.
A significant part of the struggle lies in outdated legislation. Current telecom regulations were primarily crafted during the era of landlines, leaving huge gaps in how mobile communications are monitored today. To close these loopholes, experts suggest expanding Federal Communications Commission rules to provide text messages with the same level of protection as traditional telephone calls, preventing marketers and scammers from operating in a regulatory gray area.
For those looking to protect themselves right now, the most effective immediate defense is simply enabling the built-in spam filters on their devices. Consumers should also remain wary of unexpected offers regarding loans or job opportunities that arrive via text without prior application. Experts warn against clicking any links from unknown senders and remind users that seeing a new or unfamiliar number doesn’t mean they are dealing with someone different; scanners frequently cycle through numbers to bypass blocks while continuing the same scheme.
