A phone in a fraudster’s hands is like an open wallet left on a bench in Hyde Park—everything’s exposed, ripe for the taking. It’s only a matter of time before they strike.
Here are three types of messages you should never keep on your phone unless you want to hand over your money, personal details, and peace of mind on a silver platter.
1. **Bank Passwords & Verification Codes**
*”It’s just a one-time code—it’s useless now!”* thinks the naive user. Meanwhile, the scammer smirks: *”Cheers, mate.”*
The problem? Even a couple of digits can give criminals a foothold—especially if they already have bits of your info: your full name, mobile number, online banking login. Gaining access is like piecing together a puzzle, where every scrap of data matters.
So, when you get an SMS with a verification code, use it, then delete it. Ruthlessly. And empty the trash—because on Android and iOS, “deleted” messages can linger in memory for weeks, even months.
2. **Photos of Your Documents**
Passport, driving licence, National Insurance number, bank card details—anything that lets someone *become* you.
What do crooks do with these? Take out payday loans, buy SIM cards, register fake accounts, even sell them on the dark web.
One clear photo with legible details is all it takes to invite chaos. So no *”I’ll just send it to my mate and delete it later.”* Delete it *now*.
If you need to save it, use encrypted cloud storage with two-factor authentication—or trusted apps like 1Password, NordLocker, or Google Files with encryption enabled.
3. **Messages with Private or Sensitive Info**
PINs, card numbers, CVV codes, home addresses, loved ones’ phone numbers, security question answers like *”What was your childhood pet’s name?”*—all of it can be turned against you.
When fraudsters breach a phone, they dig through texts and messengers first. If they find a goldmine—like a chat with your mum where you’ve written, *”The Wi-Fi password’s the same as the card PIN,”*—you’re done for.
Even if you stash it in a *”Notes to Self”* chat, it’s no safer. An unlocked phone in the wrong hands is a security disaster.
**Don’t Forget the Trash & Backups!**
“Deleted” doesn’t mean gone. Texts and files can linger in memory or auto-save to backups. Check your settings regularly, disable suspicious auto-saves, and manually purge anything questionable.
**Bottom Line:**
If it could ruin you, don’t store it on your phone—especially not in plain SMS. It’s not an archive, a safe, or a time capsule. It’s a device that can be lost, stolen, or hacked without a second thought.
So here’s the rule: be paranoid. Sleep soundly.
Now, fess up—do you regularly purge your messages? Or is your inbox a Netflix-worthy vault of incriminating evidence? 😏
