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Life at the Oaks at 8100 should be safe and stress-free — and that includes protecting yourself from the growing problem of text message scams. Criminals are getting more creative, and their favorite tool these days is a simple text to your phone.

Here are eight common scam tactics to watch for:

1. Government Imposters – Texts claiming to be from the IRS, DMV, or other government agencies are fake. Real government communication always starts with a letter in the mail.
2. Package Delivery Scams – “FedEx,” “UPS,” or “Postal Service” texts saying you missed a delivery are often traps to get your personal information.
3. Invoice Tricks – Messages asking you to confirm payment details or click a link for a bill you don’t recognize are red flags.
4. 2FA Code Scams – Random codes or “suspicious login” warnings may actually be hackers trying to access your account.
5. Wrong Number Setups – A casual “hi” from an unknown number is often the start of a long con. Don’t reply, even to say they’ve got the wrong person.
6. Fake Bank Alerts – Scammers may claim your bank account has “unusual activity” and push you to share information. Always call your bank directly instead.
7. Too-Good-to-Be-True Prizes – If you’re asked to pay a fee, buy a gift card, or hand over account info to collect a prize, it’s a scam.
8. Phony Tech Support – You’ll never get a surprise text from real tech support. Ignore messages about “suspicious activity” on your phone or computer unless you asked for help.

Quick Tips for Residents

• Don’t click links or respond to unexpected texts.
• Don’t share personal or financial information by text.
• Report suspicious messages to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM).

Let’s keep Oak Creek safe not just in our homes, but on our phones too. Stay cautious, stay informed, and help look out for your neighbors.