Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Wrong Number Text Scam - How to Protect Yourself
Wrong Number Text Scam - How to Protect Yourself

A wrong number text scam (often part of a "Pig Butchering" scheme) begins with a seemingly innocent message intended for someone else to trick you into a conversation. The primary goal is to build long-term trust before eventually manipulating you into high-stakes fraud, such as fake cryptocurrency investments or "emergency" cash requests.

Common Tactics

Scammers use vague or friendly messages to prompt a polite "wrong number" correction:

  • Vague Plans: "Are we still on for lunch?" or "Can you break away for a second?"
  • Service Requests: "Hi Anna, the funeral is on Monday" or "Is this Dr. Donna? My dog needs an appointment."
  • Friendly Greetings: "Hey! How are you doing recently?" or "Hi Tom, it's Travis."

Why Replying is Dangerous

Even if you only text back to say "wrong number," you are helping the scammer:

  • Confirms Active Number: It proves your number is active and that you are willing to engage, which makes your contact info more valuable on the dark web.
  • Initiates Relationship Building: Instead of apologizing and stopping, the scammer will try to keep the chat going with compliments or personal stories.
  • Paves Way for "Pig Butchering": Over weeks or months, they "fatten up" the victim with fake friendship or romance before making a financial pitch.

How to Protect Yourself

  • Ignore and Delete: The safest course of action is to not respond at all.
  • Block the Sender: Immediately use your phone's built-in block feature for any unknown sender that feels "off".
  • Report as Junk: Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM)—a free service supported by most carriers—to help them identify and block these numbers.
  • Avoid Clicking Links: Scammers may send links to download malware or visit phishing sites that steal personal data.
  • File a Report: If you’ve engaged or lost money, report the incident to the FTC Report Fraud website or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
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