At 10:20 PM ET on Wednesday night, Verizon finally plugged the leaks on a massive 10-hour software-driven blackout that left over 2 million Americans in “SOS mode.” Yesterday, the company issued an official apology and a promise: a $20.00 account credit for everyone affected.
But today, January 16, that promise of “free money” has turned into a digital landmine. Scammers have launched a massive, nationwide “smishing” (SMS phishing) campaign that is perfectly timed to exploit your wait for that $20 refund. If you click the wrong link today, you aren’t just losing your credit—you are handing over the keys to your entire financial life.
