THE GEN C:\> SCAN WRONG-NUMBER
Wrong Number Text Scams
An innocent-looking text from a stranger ("Is this Linda? Coffee tomorrow?"). If you reply, they strike up a friendship, sometimes romantic, then claim to be a successful investor and steer you to a fake investment platform.
"Hi, is this Mark? We met at the golf club. Oh sorry, wrong number! You seem nice though, where are you from?"
Red flags
- A friendly stranger who keeps chatting after a "wrong number"
- Conversation turns to their investing success
- Pushes you to a specific app or platform
What to do
- Don't reply to texts from unknown numbers. Block and delete.
- Never mix new online friends with investment advice.
Where to report it
Got a message like this right now? Paste it into the free Scam Radar checker to see the red flags. It runs in your browser and never saves your message.
Know someone who'd fall for this?
Scammers count on people not talking about it. Send this guide to a parent, a friend, or the family group chat.
Related scams
Keep your family safe
Copy a ready-made prompt from the Staying safe prompts, like setting up a family code word or locking down your accounts. Want an AI helper you can trust? Try the AI Finder quiz.
Sources
- FTC Data Spotlight: Top text scams of 2024 (Apr 14, 2025)
- FTC: What To Know About Cryptocurrency and Scams
Last checked: 2026-10-19. General education, not legal or financial advice. Sample messages are made up.