A message that appears to be a harmless mix-up can be the start of something much more costly. The warning centers on so-called "accidental" texts. The message may sound casual and believable, such as ...

TEMPORARY LOCATIONS. IT STARTS WITH A STRANGE TEXT MESSAGE FROM SOMEONE. YOU DO NOT KNOW. IT MAY SEEM LIKE A MISTAKE, BUT IT COULD BE A LITTLE MORE SINISTER. IT COULD BE THE START OF A SCAM. WE’VE ...

THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION SAYS THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO WILL OPEN A TEXT MESSAGE WHEN THEY RECEIVE IT IS AS HIGH AS 98%, AND THOSE ARE GOOD ODDS FOR A SCAMMER. IN FACT, I JUST GOT ONE THIS WEEK ...