Stay Alert – "Accidental" Texts May Be First Step in a Scam

People accidentally text the wrong number all the time, and you've no doubt received texts that were meant for someone else. Unfortunately, wrong-number texts aren't always innocent mistakes. Scammers send "accidental" texts to catch you off guard and exploit your friendliness and kindness for financial gain.

These types of texts might say something like, "Sorry I'm running late, I'll be there in 15 minutes." Or they may reference a medical appointment or business meeting. Not wanting to be rude, you respond to tell the sender they've got the wrong number. The scammer then tries to engage you in an ongoing conversation to gain your trust — often the first step in a romance or employment scam. By using AI messaging bots, some scammers are able to target thousands of people at a time.

Here's 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.

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.