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What's the deal with all those weird wrong-number texts?

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Re: What's the deal with all those weird wrong-number texts?

#111

Post by KMag »

forgetfulness wrote: post #79
cmg wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've gotten a few in the last couple months, with a US cellular number that I've had for over 20 years. At least two are "I missed you at the gym today!" via text and another was from a Vermont area code via WhatsApp to a "Dr. Jack": > Hi Dr. Jack! My cat is very slow and does not eat cat food. Can you make an appointment for me? > Sorry, you have the wrong number > Sorry, I just checked, I entered a wrong number, pl…

The pictures are always super blurry, clearly fabricated or heavily doctored. Often I've gotten the same portrait for several scam texts from different numbers.

To be fair, my wife says the same thing about the photos I take with my phone.

Re: What's the deal with all those weird wrong-number texts?

#112

Post by RajT88 »

d--b wrote: post #91

This always reminds me of some dudes in France who decided to counter attack the scammers. They basically steer the conversation off-script to something more tempting to the scammers, and then make them do stupid things. Like "I am sorry there is nothing I can do for you, but while you're here, we're looking for some partnership to develop a new NGO in Benin". And then it turns out the NGO is called the "Sauerkraut b…

I did this with some 419 scammers, and led them on a merry chase. I documented it in a private web forum, which entertained my friends for weeks.

I had created this persona which was just too good to be true: A bank manager who was getting ready to run off with his mistress, and trying to secure a future for themselves with a quick payout. This fake persona was a total maniac.

At the end, the scammers were super pissed. Sending angry emails, fighting amongst themselves. Eventually convinced them to admit to being scammers. I look back fondly on the experience.

Re: What's the deal with all those weird wrong-number texts?

#113

Post by chipotle_coyote »

deepspace wrote: post #43
avalys wrote: post #29

Wow, how interesting. I started getting these a few months ago, right after starting a new job in a somewhat high-profile area. I have been getting 1-2 per month but found them quite unusual because none of them ever progressed to an actual scam - just a few messages back and forth about the fabricated "wrong number" situation and then each thread would stop, seemingly earnestly. Since there was no obvious scam, I've…

What would the motivation be for anyone to reply to a text from an unknown person? I have also been getting these for months, in it was 100% obvious from the get-go that it must be a scam. I have never felt the slightest urge to reply.

I admit if I got a variant of the “Andy, will my custom mahogany furniture arrive next week?” text mentioned in the article, part of me would be very tempted to reply with, “Absolutely. On its way!”

(I’d probably just ignore it, though.)

Re: What's the deal with all those weird wrong-number texts?

#114

Post by muststopmyths »

techsupporter wrote: post #106
muststopmyths wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I guess some of us are old enough that wrong numbers were a thing and it was just polite to let them know. Especially when it sounds legit

Considering how almost every form of social trust has been abused to either spam or scam me, I am old enough to remember that but have also had that politeness completely scrubbed from me. I wish we still lived in a time when being scammed or spammed wasn't so prevalent, but we don't and I'm not doing anything that might tip off either of those groups that my number is ripe for the picking.

Oh yeah, no judgement implied. It’s just a force of habit for me.

Re: What's the deal with all those weird wrong-number texts?

#115

Post by tshaddox »

cmg wrote: post #74
avalys wrote: post #29

Wow, how interesting. I started getting these a few months ago, right after starting a new job in a somewhat high-profile area. I have been getting 1-2 per month but found them quite unusual because none of them ever progressed to an actual scam - just a few messages back and forth about the fabricated "wrong number" situation and then each thread would stop, seemingly earnestly. Since there was no obvious scam, I've…

I've gotten a few in the last couple months, with a US cellular number that I've had for over 20 years. At least two are "I missed you at the gym today!" via text and another was from a Vermont area code via WhatsApp to a "Dr. Jack": > Hi Dr. Jack! My cat is very slow and does not eat cat food. Can you make an appointment for me? > Sorry, you have the wrong number > Sorry, I just checked, I entered a wrong number, pl…

I also get messages on WhatsApp with similar profile pictures, although I’ve never replied or tried reverse image search. Some of the recent messages:

“Mike, this is my new number. Let's play golf tomorrow and talk about working together?” (My name isn’t Mike.)

“Hello, how's Kevin doing?” (My name isn’t Kevin and I doubt they're talking about anyone I know whose name is Kevin.)

The thing that always seems so weird to me is, if I’m on some list, why are there so few messages? Is this some group that keeps their list of numbers to themselves and is very disciplined with how often it sends out scam attempts?

Re: What's the deal with all those weird wrong-number texts?

#116

Post by guestbest »

cmg wrote: post #74
avalys wrote: post #29

Wow, how interesting. I started getting these a few months ago, right after starting a new job in a somewhat high-profile area. I have been getting 1-2 per month but found them quite unusual because none of them ever progressed to an actual scam - just a few messages back and forth about the fabricated "wrong number" situation and then each thread would stop, seemingly earnestly. Since there was no obvious scam, I've…

I've gotten a few in the last couple months, with a US cellular number that I've had for over 20 years. At least two are "I missed you at the gym today!" via text and another was from a Vermont area code via WhatsApp to a "Dr. Jack": > Hi Dr. Jack! My cat is very slow and does not eat cat food. Can you make an appointment for me? > Sorry, you have the wrong number > Sorry, I just checked, I entered a wrong number, pl…

There is no person. You are just helping train an AI

Re: What's the deal with all those weird wrong-number texts?

#117

Post by jameshart »

muststopmyths wrote: post #98
deepspace wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What would the motivation be for anyone to reply to a text from an unknown person? I have also been getting these for months, in it was 100% obvious from the get-go that it must be a scam. I have never felt the slightest urge to reply.

I guess some of us are old enough that wrong numbers were a thing and it was just polite to let them know. Especially when it sounds legit

Wrong numbers generally used to be caused by misdialing.

Nobody dials numbers any more.

Re: What's the deal with all those weird wrong-number texts?

#118

Post by chefandy »

jesterpm wrote: post #95

These, and the spoofed number phone calls where the other side just hangs up when you answer. For the phone calls, I just assumed that someone was trying to build a database of phone numbers that do or do not answer for some other/future purpose...

Based on the delays in these sorts of calls, I’d guess that they’re robocalls which dial way more numbers than they have operators for and try to filter out no-answer and voicemail pickups automatically. Then if you pick up, they route you to an operator. If there’s no operator available, it just drops the call rather than reveal which annoying company just wasted your time. That way the operators— clearly the most expensive link in the chain — are always engaged. Just a guess though!

Even if that’s wrong, I’m sure you’re right that they collect caller-pick-up stats. I imagine even cursory vetting would dramatically increase the resale value of their lead list.

Re: What's the deal with all those weird wrong-number texts?

#120

Post by cmg »

RajT88 wrote: post #108
cmg wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've gotten a few in the last couple months, with a US cellular number that I've had for over 20 years. At least two are "I missed you at the gym today!" via text and another was from a Vermont area code via WhatsApp to a "Dr. Jack": > Hi Dr. Jack! My cat is very slow and does not eat cat food. Can you make an appointment for me? > Sorry, you have the wrong number > Sorry, I just checked, I entered a wrong number, pl…

I had almost the exact same exchange, with someone with a photo just like that! 747 area code, was it?

It was an 802 area code in this case, but I think it’s pretty clear now that these scammers have multiple personas and numbers to work with.
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