Verizon customers should be aware of fake Verizon SMS messages that are likely being sent by phishers.

The message sent by 562-666-one-one-five-nine (and spotted by PhoneArena) sounds like a notification that your bill has been paid, and even addresses you by first name. But it then ends with a link promising a "small gift" . Do not click on this link.

This link will presumably lead to a page asking for your personal information, which the scammers may use to take control of your Verizon account.

Keep in mind that if you are a Verizon customer, your bill was already paid over a week ago and you have likely already been notified of successful (or failed) monthly payments. Furthermore, since when do mobile carriers reward you for simply paying your bill?

Scams such as this one illustrate the importance of being aware of what details have been compromised by other data breaches or what information has simply been made public.

Also, this scam, like many others, originates from a random number (rather than one that automatically identifies it as coming from Verizon), with unusually informal text ("Msg." rather than "message")

Whether the message is genuine If you are not sure, you should contact the carrier directly to confirm by using their customer support service listed on their website or application. It makes no sense to jeopardize the security of your account by assuming that it is safe to open the message.

For maximum security against potential fraud, it is a good idea to enable two-factor authentication or change your password. This can be easily done through your Verizon account.