A growing scam is using fake wrong-number messages to start conversations with strangers. The setup feels almost harmless. Someone claims they meant to text another person, apologizes, and somehow the conversation keeps going. But there may be no confused person texting on the other end at all. It may not even be a person but a chatbot. And its goal is definitely not friendship.
The ‘wrong number’ is the bait
The scam often begins with a message that sounds personal. Something like, “Hey, is this Blake? It’s Stacy. We chatted on Tinder before…”
You might reasonably respond, “Sorry, wrong number.” But that’s the trap: replying confirms to the scammers that your phone number is active. So, instead of disappearing, the sender keeps chatting. They may compliment you, send photos, and gradually steer the conversation toward dating or adult websites.
The name, backstory, and photos can change, but the playbook stays roughly the same. According to the Better Business Bureau, scammers are using these conversations to get people emotionally invested before directing them to a specific website.
The expensive part always comes
Eventually, your new mystery friend may tell you to visit a website to see more photos or continue the conversation. That website might ask you to create an account and potentially provide your credit card information.
See the problem? Handing financial information to a stranger or an unfamiliar website can expose you to fraudulent charges and identity theft.
The scam works because it doesn’t initially look like a scam. There’s no dramatic “YOU’VE WON $10 MILLION” message or obviously sketchy link. It’s just someone saying hello and that makes it much easier to let your guard down.
The photos are unpaid actors
The attractive stranger in the messages is part of the trick. Scammers can use stolen photos and fake identities to create believable characters. The person in the picture may have absolutely nothing to do with whoever is actually messaging you.
And because scammers keep changing their names, stories, and images, recognizing one specific version of the scam will not necessarily protect you from the next one.
Don’t fall victim
The good news is that you don’t need sophisticated cybersecurity skills to avoid this one. Ignore unexpected texts from strangers. If you don’t recognize the number, do not engage. Block suspicious numbers, especially if the messages keep coming or push you toward unfamiliar websites.
You also want to steer clear of sharing personal information. That includes your credit card number, banking details, home address, Social Security number, or other sensitive information. If you have already shared sensitive information, report the incident to the appropriate authorities and the Federal Trade Commission.
Above all, keep in mind that the safest response to a random text from someone you don’t know is nothing. Not “Who is this?” Not “Wrong number.” Plain nothing.
Source: 23 ABC