Wrong-number text: what they say, how to spot it, what to do

What they say

These are typical approaches, written as examples. The wording and claimed sender can change.

• “Hi, is this Linda? We met last week.”
• “Sorry, wrong number. You seem kind. Can we keep talking?”
• “My friend showed me an investment. Would you like to try it?”

How to spot it

• The sender keeps a conversation going after you say the number is wrong.
• A new friendship turns into an investment tip, money request or link.
• The contact wants to move to another app and learn personal or financial details.

What to do now

1. You can leave the text unanswered. Do not click a link or send personal details to establish whether the stranger meant to contact you. You do not owe an unknown sender an explanation.
2. If you already replied, stop when the conversation becomes uncomfortable or turns toward money. Do not invest through a site or app recommended by the contact. A long conversation still does not verify their identity.
3. Save any useful message details, then report junk and block the sender. Forward suspicious texts to 7726 if your carrier supports it. If the chat became investment fraud, report it through ic3.gov as well.

If you already paid or shared details

1. If you sent money, contact your bank, card issuer or exchange immediately. Keep the chat, profile details and transaction records you already have without asking the sender to prove the investment with another payment.
2. If you shared passwords or sensitive identity details, secure the affected accounts and use IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan. Be cautious of new contacts offering paid recovery after you stop responding.

Contact the bank, card issuer or payment provider promptly and ask whether the payment can be stopped or reversed. Recovery is not guaranteed. Change exposed passwords through the genuine service. Keep receipts and messages privately for your report.

Report the attempt at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. For internet-enabled fraud, also use the FBI’s IC3. If identity details were exposed, start at IdentityTheft.gov.

Sources

• FTC: recognize and report spam texts
• FTC: online relationships and romance scams
• FTC: what to do if you were scammed

Questions people ask

Is every wrong-number message a scam?

No. You do not need to decide the sender’s intent before choosing not to engage. Treat links, personal questions and money requests with care.

What if we have been chatting for weeks?

Time spent chatting is not independent verification. Pause any investment or payment request and discuss it with someone you already know and trust.