CurbSure Text Scam: Is That Auto Insurance Message Too Good to Be True?

The other day, you might’ve noticed a text from CurbSure saying something like: “Great low auto insurance rate, see it now!” At face value, it looks legit, clean layout, urgent tone. But this is a textbook case of insurance smishing: fraudsters use fake names and slick messages to reel you in. Let’s break this down.

What’s Going On with the CurbSure Text Scam?

Here’s how it works:

• You get an unexpected SMS promising ridiculously low auto insurance rates.
• It directs you to click a link, often to a site like curbsure.com or welcome.curbsure.com, which looks polished but raises alarm bells:
• ScamAdviser flags these sites with low trust scores due to being newly registered, hiding ownership, and having associations with spammy registrars.
• Once you click, you might be asked for personal or payment details, or worse, redirected to affiliate offers that pocket your data without offering real coverage request.curbsure.com

This isn’t rare, insurance smishing is on the rise. Fraudsters bank on our habit of trusting text messages, with open rates over 98%, according to the FTC

Red Flags to Watch For

1. Unsolicited Text Offers: If you didn’t request a quote, be suspicious.
2. Unknown Sender IDs: Legitimate companies use shortcodes or recognizable numbers.
3. SpamAdviser Flags: Low scores due to hidden ownership or new domains are red flags.
4. Urgency and Pressure: “Limited-time deals” are designed to make you act before thinking.
5. Lack of Contact Info: No phone numbers, no physical addresses, that’s not how real insurance brands operate

How to Protect Yourself (and Your Wallet)

• Never click on links in unsolicited texts. Double-check via Google or your insurer’s official site.
• Verify company legitimacy. Use your state’s insurance department to check if a provider is licensed.
• Block and report the number. Forward texts to 7726 (SPAM) or use your phone’s junk reporting feature.
• Ignore high-pressure offers. If they’re dangling a “deal too good to be true,” it probably is.
• Stick with trusted insurers, especially if you already have coverage or are using a well-known broker.

Avoiding phishing scams requires vigilance and awareness. Here are some effective ways to protect yourself from phishing attacks:

Tips to Avoid Phishing Scams:

1. Be Skeptical of Unexpected Communications:
   • Be cautious with unsolicited emails, texts, or calls, especially those asking for personal or financial information.
2. Verify the Source:
   • Always verify the sender’s email address or phone number. Scammers often use addresses or numbers that look similar to legitimate ones.
3. Look for Red Flags:
   • Check for spelling and grammatical errors, generic greetings (e.g., “Dear Customer”), and urgent or threatening language.
4. Don’t Click on Suspicious Links:
   • Hover over links to see the actual URL before clicking. If it looks suspicious or doesn’t match the purported sender, don’t click it.
5. Check the Website’s Security:
   • When entering personal information online, ensure the website is secure. Look for “https://” in the URL and a padlock icon in the browser’s address bar.
6. Avoid Downloading Attachments:
   • Don’t open email attachments from unknown or suspicious sources. These could contain malware.
7. Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA):
   • Enable factor Authentication on your accounts so as to add an extra layer of security. This makes it harder for scammers to gain access even if they have your password.
8. Report Phishing Attempts:
   • Report suspicious emails to your email provider and the organization being impersonated. In the U.S., you can forward phishing emails to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected] and to the FTC at [email protected].

What Do You Do When You Suspect A Phishing Attempt

In this digital age and time, almost everyone has at one time received a phishing text or email and often times they fall victim and get scammed. This is why it is imperative that you are always careful when you receive any text or email because one careless click on a link can cause a whole lot of problems for you. Now if you suspect a phishing attempt, here is what I advise you do:

• Do Not Respond to the text, because you responding is actually giving access to the scammers, simply delete it when you receive.
• Quickly change your password if you have mistakenly clicked on the link or given away your login details. Change your password to a strong and unique password.
• Keep an eye on your accounts for any unauthorized transactions.
• Also scan you devices for any malware.

By following these tips, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to phishing scams and keep your personal and financial information safe.

Conclusion

Just like the NYC Unpaid Ticket Scam Text we reviewed earlier, CurbSure text solicitations are likely smishing attempts, designed to steal your data, not save you money. While auto insurance is expensive, real discounts don’t come through midnight texts. Always verify, stay skeptical, and use known channels to shop or compare policies.