People often send texts to the wrong number by mistake, and you’ve probably received one meant for someone else at least once. Unfortunately, these “wrong-number” texts aren’t always innocent anymore. Scammers are now intentionally sending these messages to catch you off guard and take advantage of your friendliness or sympathy, hoping to trick you into giving them money or personal information.

These scams are not just random annoyances—they can escalate into more elaborate schemes like “pig-butchering” scams.

How “Wrong Number” Scams Work

These scams typically begin with an unexpected text from an unfamiliar number, often posing as a mistake meant for someone else. If you respond, the scammer will try to engage you in conversation, gradually gaining your trust. This can lead to you sharing personal or sensitive information, which the scammer can then exploit.

Most of these scams are executed by teams of people. One person does the initial text message. Another group may carry on the conversation. Others create profiles or take photos to make it seem like you are texting with a legitimate person. The ultimate goal is to establish a rapport that allows the criminal team to request money transfers, encourage investments in fraudulent schemes, or steal your personal data.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises against responding to such messages, as doing so confirms that your number is active, making you a target for future scams.

The Connection to Pig-Butchering Scams

One particularly dangerous outcome of these “wrong number” texts is the “pig-butchering” scam. After building trust, the scammer convinces the victim to invest in what appears to be a lucrative opportunity, often involving cryptocurrency. The name “pig-butchering” refers to the scammer “fattening up” the victim by gaining their trust before “butchering” them with significant financial loss.

In 2023, investment scams caused more financial losses than any other crime tracked by the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Cryptocurrency investment fraud, in particular, saw a dramatic rise, with losses increasing by 53% from 2022. These scams lure victims with promises of high returns, often resulting in devastating financial loss.

What to Do If You Receive a “Wrong Number” Text

1. Don’t Respond: If you receive a text from an unknown number, ignore it. Responding, even to correct the mistake, can confirm your number is active.
2. Block and Report: Use your phone’s features to block the number and report the message as spam. This helps prevent others from falling victim.
3. Be Skeptical of Investment Opportunities: Be cautious if someone you don’t know starts discussing investments or money-making opportunities. Scammers are skilled at making their offers seem legitimate.

Protect Yourself

• Use Caution Online: Scammers can gather information about you from social media or other public sources. Be mindful of what you share online.
• Educate Yourself: Stay informed about the latest scam tactics and share this information with friends and family to keep them safe.
• Use Multi-Factor Authentication: Enable multi-factor authentication on your accounts for added security.

If you’ve been scammed, contact your financial institution immediately to try to recover your money, and report the scam to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

In conclusion, “wrong number” text scams are more than just an annoyance—they’re a serious threat that can lead to significant financial loss. By staying vigilant and cautious, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from falling victim to these schemes.

Additional Resources:

• FTC: “Why it’s not rude to ignore ‘Hi, how are you?’ text messages from strangers”
• FBI: “Building a Digital Defense Against ‘Oops, Wrong Number’ Texts”
• CNBC: ” How Americans Are Losing Their Life Savings To Crypto Fraud”
• FCC: “Robotext Scams on the Rise”

Learn more about Oakland County’s Information Security Office here. Visit their Citizen Cyber Training portal for online education and online cybersecurity resources to help understand risks and be better prepared for a more secure online experience.

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