What Are Wrong Number Text Scams, And How Can You Avoid Them?

It’s not an honest mistake; it’s the start of an attack on your wallet.

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There's a good chance you've gotten a message from a "wrong number" at least once. These follow a familiar pattern: a random number asks a question addressed to a name that's not yours, so you politely respond and say they have the wrong number. Instead of acknowledging this and moving on, they thank you for being so kind and ask if you want to be friends.

While the other person might claim that it's "fate" you met like this, a terrible fate awaits if you continue talking to them. It's the start of a scam, not a friendly person looking for conversation — one of many ways crooks try to take advantage of you being kind.

How a wrong number scam develops

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If you continue talking to a "new friend"...

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