How hackers can send text messages from your phone without you knowing

SMS spoofing allows cybercriminals to send fraudulent text messages from a different phone number than their own, impersonating others such as friends, family or a legitimate company. Despite it being illegal, these attackers can carry out phishing scams, identity theft, or fraud. iPhone users are also susceptible due to bugs in iOS. Ways to protect oneself from SMS spoofing attacks include having antivirus software, updating phone software regularly, changing passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, contacting mobile carriers, filing a police report and avoiding public Wi-Fi hotspots.