Scammers call you on your cell phone

• Get a text message supposedly claiming to be from your bank or credit union? Don't click on any links.
• Some texts can lead you to look-alike websites that are a scam to steal your ID or install malware.
• Update your anti-malware on your smartphone; ask your service provider for recommendations.

The funny thing about smartphones is that they make us feel smart. We might even fool ourselves into thinking smartphones can protect us from getting scammed.

One recent study found people are three times as likely to respond to spam texts or e-mails received via smartphone, rather than by desktop or laptop.

Duh, think again.

Amy Nofziger, director of regional operations for the AARP Foundation and a fraud expert, said consumers are more suspicious about spam or scam e-mails from their desktop and laptops. But too often, our guard is somewhat down with smartphones. Perhaps it's the newness of the technology? Some might think scammers can't reach us via smartphone.

Duh, think again.

The AARP Bulletin in March offered an alert called "Defend Your Smartphone from Scammers."

One cool tip: You can forward suspicious texts to 7726 -- which is "Spam" on most keypads -- to alert your carrier. Forward the text, then delete it.

The AARP article noted consumers are three times more likely to respond to a spam received via a mobile phone than when the scammers reach out to the consumers using a desktop or laptop computer.

Beware this phishing e-mail tax scam from 'the boss'

During the tax season, the scammers are out in full force yet again trying to trick you. The Internal Revenue Service is warning again that the threatening scam robocalls are hitting landlines and cell phones.

One co-worker recently received a call on his smartphone where the recording said he was the subject of an IRS "lawsuit." It's not the IRS; it's a scammer looking for cash or ID information to run another scam.

The call came from 510-443-0031 -- supposedly in Fremont, Calif. Other consumers report receiving scam calls from that same number.

Scammed you once? Crooks bet on scamming you again

Nofziger noted that consumers must watch out for any unfamiliar calls -- including those from the following area codes: 268, 284, 473, 649, 664, 767, 809, 829, 849 and 876.

Auto-dialers are targeting cell phones, according to police authorities and regulators. Consumer advocates dub this as the  "one-ring" scam.

The con artists only let that phone ring once and then hang up immediately, so you're tricked into calling them back.

What happens if you call back? You've just called an international phone number and your cell phone bill could be dinged with charges of up to $30, Nofziger said. The charges add up because this call involves a premium connection free and a hefty-per minute rate.

Police say some intended victims hear messages like, "You've reached the operator, please hold."

The charges might be crammed on your bill under labels like "special services" or "Internet advertising" or "minimum monthly usage fee."

Don't answer the call, and don't call back.

"Anybody can spoof anything on caller ID," Nofziger warned.

No one who really needs you is just going to call, hang up once and never call back again.

"If it's an emergency, they leave a voice mail," Nofziger said.

Many of us, of course, love to check our e-mails on that smartphone, too. I've noticed quite a few tempting e-mails for bargain shoppers. It's likely nothing but a scam.

We had the $50 Macy's Reward -- "Go here to claim."  If you click on a link, you risk downloading malware onto your computer.

And I've seen the "Sam's Club Reward," "Your Amazon reward balance is $50" and the "Costco Spring Reward."

Consumer advocates, including those at AARP, are warning about coupon scams again this spring.

The Better Business Bureau has warned that con artists are trying to freeze your phone and make you pay to unlock it via "ransomware." They might want to charge you several hundred dollars to unlock your phone.

Consumers are advised to never click on any links or attachments by e-mail or text, according to Adam Levin founder of IDT911 and a consumer advocate. Be on high alert for third-party apps or clone apps that might look legitimate but are really designed to infect your device with malware and steal personal and financial information.

Remember, the fraudsters know that people are using their smartphones more and more for everything from depositing checks from Grandma to paying for their morning coffee. You absolutely must use a password to lock your smartphone to make it harder for thieves to access your e-mail, texts and other information, if your phone is lost or stolen, according to the American Bankers Association.

The ABA noted that two in five Americans use a mobile device to manage their bank account at least once a month.

And remember, log out completely when you tap into mobile banking.

Never use public Wi-Fi to file your income taxes, do your banking or pay bills.

Nofziger noted that she and her husband once made the mistake of using public Wi-Fi at the airport in Denver to pay for a baggage fee with a credit card and to deal with a flight.

It wasn't long there after that her credit card issuer called to ask if she was going on a shopping spree in Texas.  Nope, but the scammers sure bagged some bargains.

Contact Susan Tompor: 313-222-8876 or stompor@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @Tompor.