Video - SPAM 7726

(Music starts)

(A smart phone floats against a blue background with bubbles rising. A message notification reads: 555-1980 New Message.)

(A new message notification pops up on the screen that reads: Hello. Your SIN has been compromised. Please click the link to verify your identity. A person shakes their head as they read the message, with red lightning bolts flashing around their head. The word "phishing" drops down on a fishing hook.)

00:01
If you’ve ever received a suspicious text message claiming to be from the government or from a streaming service that you don’t have an account for there’s a good chance that it’s a phishing message.

(On screen text: What is phishing?)

00:11
So, what exactly is phishing?

(A figure in a black hoodie with a purple devil emoji face holds a smart phone.)

(Circles surround the cyber criminal, showing family, friends, and co-workers, as well as a government building, the Canadian flag, and a streaming service logo.)

00:14
Phishing is one of the most common cyber scams in Canada, in which cyber criminals send messages pretending to be from a legitimate source – like a person or a company – so they can steal from you.

(A smart phone displays a text message that reads: Please click the link to track your packages! Enter your Password and SIN Here to access your mail tracking account. The word "smishing" drops down on a fishing hook.)

00:25
When these messages are sent by text, it’s called smishing.

(Envelopes with notification reminders pop out from behind the smart phone.)

00:29
Smishing messages are often sent as mass messages.

(Different texts appear above a notice that reads: Sender is not in your contact list.

• The first message reads: Please click the link to track your packages!
• The second message reads: Verify your SIN to receive your delivery.
• The third message reads: Urgent request from your mail carrier!!)

00:32
The texts may seem real at first – like a delivery service asking for your information or to follow a link to track a package.

(A green germ covers the phone screen.)

(A smart phone displays a text that reads: Reply with your password and SIN to access your tracking account. Thx! Caution alert triangles pop up all around the screen.)

00:39
But in reality, smishing messages typically contain harmful links or attachments that contain malware or trick you into sending personal information like your SIN .

(A person studies their smart phone through a magnifying glass as pad lock and fist emojis surround them.)

00:49
What’s the best way to protect yourself from smishing?

(A text message reads: Please click the link to track your package! Enter your Password and SIN Here to access your mail tracking account. Thx! A red general prohibition symbol appears in front of it.)

00:52
Don’t click on links. Ignore messages from unknown senders.

(A pointer cursor taps 7726 on a number pad on a smart phone. The numbers change to spell SPAM.)

00:56
And forward suspicious messages to the number seven seven two six – which spells SPAM on most keypads.

(On screen text: Forward smishing messages to 7726 (SPAM))

(On the left, a person uses a magnifying glass to look at their smart phone. On the right, a smart phone forwards a message to 7726. The text reads: Please click the link to track your package! Enter your Password and SIN ! Here to access your mail tracking account. Thx!)

01:03
Forwarding to seven seven two six will tell your cellphone provider about the spam messages so they can investigate it and improve their filter for all customers.

(On screen text: So how do you do it?)

01:12
So how do you do it?

(On screen text: If you have an Android device)

(A person follows the steps on their smart phone.)

01:14
If you have an Android device:

(On screen text: 1 Tap the message)

(A pointer cursor taps a text message.)

01:15
One. Tap the message.

(On screen text: 2 Press and hold the message until prompt menu appears)

(A pointer cursor presses and holds the text to show a prompt menu with options that include share, forward, and view details.)

01:18
Two. Press and hold the message until a prompt menu appears. Be careful not to click on any links within the message.

(On screen text: 3 Select forward (or an arrow icon) to a new message draft)

(A pointer cursor taps Forward from the menu and then taps New Message.)

01:26
Three. Select Forward or an arrow icon to a new message draft.

(On screen text: 4 Type 7726. Hit send.)

(The numbers 7726 are circled in the send field on a smart phone. A pointer cursor taps the send arrow to forward the smishing message. A return message reads: Thank you for reporting spam. We'll take it from here, written in English and French.)

01:30
And four. Type in seven seven two six and hit the send arrow.

(On screen text: If you have an iOS device)

(A person follows the steps on their smart phone.)

01:36
If you have an iOS device:

(On screen text: 1 Tap the message)

(A cursor taps a smishing message, and it opens.)

01:39
One. Tap the message.

(On screen text: Press and hold the message until menu prompt appears)

(A cursor presses and holds the message. The prompt menu shows options including copy, translate, speak, and more.)

01:42
Two. Press and hold the message until a menu prompt appears. Be careful not to click on any links within the message.

(On screen text: 3 Select more… and then select forwarding from the menu)

(A pointer cursor taps More, and a checkmark appears beside the smishing message.)

01:49
Three. Select More and then select Forwarding from the menu.

(On screen text: 4 Tap the arrow icon on the bottom right corner to create a new message draft)

(A pointer cursor taps the arrow at the bottom of the phone screen.)

01:54
Four. Tap the arrow icon on the bottom right corner to create a new message draft.

(On screen text: Enter 7726 hit send)

(In the new message, the numbers 7726 are added in the "To" field. A return message reads: Thank you for reporting spam. We'll take it from here, written in English and French.)

01:59
And Five. Enter seven seven two six and hit the send arrow.

(A smart phone wiggles with an alert. An email envelope icon and text message icon appear. A person pumps their fist in the air and grins as they type on their phone.)

02:04
Reporting seven seven two six is free and will not count towards your data or messaging usage package.

(On screen text: Report SPAM to 7726 for free! GetCyberSafe.ca/7726)

02:10
Report spam to seven seven two six for free and learn more at GetCyberSafe.ca/7726.

(Cut to blank screen with text: GetCyberSafe.ca)

(Government on Canada Wordmark)