Scams via text message are so widespread there is actually a new name for it — "smishing" — a takeoff of SMS text messaging and phishing.

A smishing scam involves a text message supposedly from your credit card/debit card company directing you to contact a telephone number to re-activate your card due to a security issue. Upon calling the telephone number, the recipient is greeted with "Welcome to the bank of..." and then requested to enter their card number in order to resolve a pending security issue.

Another version of this scam involves the sending of text messages to cell phones claiming the recipient's online bank account has expired. The message instructs the recipient to renew their online bank account by using the link provided.

Smishing has another form that is also dangerous. You get a text message that urges you to download an item on your phone, which may actually contain malicious code (malware) which can harm your phone.

Armed Forces Bank (or any other financial institution) will never send an alert about your account through a text message to your cell phone without your request for this service.