Why is a stranger texting me as if they know me?
A friendly wrong-number conversation can be the opening of a long confidence, romance, or investment scam.
“Hi Susan, are we still meeting for lunch tomorrow? Oh, sorry, wrong number. You seem kind though. What is your name?”
Why this is suspicious
Some scammers use an innocent mistake to start a relationship. Over days or weeks, they may introduce an investment opportunity or financial emergency.
Warning signs
- The stranger keeps chatting after learning it is a wrong number
- They quickly ask personal questions
- They move the conversation to another app
- Money, investing, or cryptocurrency eventually appears
What to do next
- Do not share personal details
- Stop responding and block the number
- Do not follow investment links
- Report the conversation as junk
If you already clicked or paid
For guidance on what to do after a possible scam, visit the FTC’s recovery guide. It covers different situations, including payments and personal information.
Official source: FTC guidance on unexpected texts
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