Urgent Alert: Millions of Scam Texts Flood Phones from LA

URGENT UPDATE: Millions of scam texts are bombarding phones across the United States, with a significant number originating from Southern California. The Federal Trade Commission reports that these scams defrauded Americans of nearly $500 million last year alone.

Cybersecurity expert Been Coon from Unit221B reveals that a network of “SIM farms” is behind this surge. These farms can house thousands of SIM cards, enabling fraudsters to send out millions of texts in mere minutes. “I could logically put together in my head the ability to send out millions of text messages in a few minutes, depending on how big the farm is,” Coon stated in an interview.

Currently, Coon has identified around 45 SIM farms across the U.S., with four located in the Los Angeles area. “Some of these scam texts are coming from your own city,” Coon warned, emphasizing the local nature of this issue.

The Secret Service has also raised alarms about the potential dangers of these SIM farms. Recently, agents dismantled a series of farms around New York City that posed a risk of disrupting cell phone towers and shutting down the entire network. “This network had the potential to dismantle cell phone towers and essentially shut down the cell phone network in New York City,” said Special Agent in Charge Matt McCool.

As scam texts increase, it’s crucial for individuals to stay vigilant. Coon advises: “Never click the link, and never share your credit card or bank information without calling the company requesting it.” While it may be inconvenient to verify sources, the alternative could lead to severe financial loss, with cases of individuals losing up to $100,000 from their savings.

Coon elaborates that many of these operations are run by scammers overseas who illegally import SIM farm equipment and recruit individuals in the U.S. to set them up. Fortunately, law enforcement is responding to this growing threat, with efforts to shut down these farms happening rapidly.

Stay informed and protect yourself. Watch live newscasts and in-depth reporting from ABC7 on platforms like Roku, FireTV, AppleTV, and GoogleTV by searching “ABC7 Los Angeles.”

The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated—be aware, stay cautious, and share this information to help protect your community from these scams.