Warning: don't reply to "wrong number" texts

1 day ago

2 min read

Have you ever received any unexpected text messages like:

Are you free tonight?

Are we on for tomorrow?

Is this Jerry?

Sorry, I think I texted the wrong number. Who is this?

Reply YES to confirm you want to keep receiving messages or reply STOP to cancel

Yep, we all get them. These scammers are sending such "harmless" messages to get a reply, ANY reply. Why? so that they can mark your number as active, then target you for future scams.

For years now, the FTC has issued warnings that these specific, innocent sounding “hello” and “coffee?” starter conversations are getting costly, to the tune of over half a billion per year. And the worst part is that while the volume of scam text messages has increased, the rate of reporting them has dramatically decreased.

We've almost come to accept them as ... dare I say it... ordinary?

The Takeaway

So what's really going on here? Here's the secret: it's a screening test.

The scammers already know you're number - they probably picked it up from one of many data breaches. If you reply and more importantly, how you reply will tell them the kind of person you are and what kind of scam you might fall for. Here are some examples:

If you reply quickly, you may reveal that your phone is actively monitored and that you are reachable at that time of day. That can make future scam messages easier to time.
If you reply politely, you demonstrate a normal human instinct: helping someone who appears to have made an innocent mistake. Criminals can exploit that courtesy by extending the conversation, apologizing, creating rapport, and eventually introducing a fraudulent investment, job, romance, delivery, or account-security story.
If you keep the conversation going, you provide the most valuable signal of all: that a stranger can move you from a cold text into an ongoing relationship. They may then try to learn your name, location, job, interests, financial circumstances, etc.

Here are my top tips:

Don't reply to an unexpected “wrong number” or vague greeting from an unknown sender. Ever.
Don't click links, call numbers in the message, or move the conversation to another app like WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram. That allows them to bypass phone carrier text messaging blocks!
If you shared credentials, a one-time passcode, payment information, or sent money, stop communicating with them and contact the affected provider immediately. Next, report the incident to the FBI’s IC3 and the FTC.

You can also report the number as spam or forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM), which goes directly to your mobile provider so they can investigate and block the bad guys.

So remember: block, report and don't reply!

Stay safe out there.

-A