A stranger texts "wrong number" and keeps chatting. What is it?

The problem

A text arrives from a number you do not know. It might say "hi, how are you?" or ask about a dinner, a meeting or a name that is not yours. It looks like a mistake, and being polite, many of us reply to say it is the wrong number.

Replying is the step the sender wants. A friendly reply can lead to a long conversation, a new friendship and, eventually, a request or a pitch.

How it can happen

The FTC's June 2024 alert explains the pattern. The text from the unknown number is a conversation starter. If you reply, the scammer typically apologises and keeps chatting to win your trust. Once trust is built, they pitch cryptocurrency investing or "secrets" to making big money, usually for a fee. The scheme is designed to steal your money.

The FTC's April 2025 alert adds that scammers use phony job offers and "wrong number" texts to get people to respond. Even a reply that goes no further is useful to the sender, because it confirms your number is active, which can lead to more calls and texts.

Sometimes the chat turns into friendship or romance, and the conversation moves to another app. At that stage the scam often resembles the ones in romance scams and the crypto advisor scam.

How to avoid it

1. Do not reply. The FTC's core advice for a text from an unknown number is not to text back. Ignoring it is not rude.
2. Do not click links. Links in unexpected messages can steal information or install malware.
3. Delete and report. Use your phone's report junk option, or forward the text to 7726 (SPAM). The FTC also offers a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
4. Block the number, and use your phone's filter for unknown senders. The FTC's text page explains that your phone and your wireless provider can filter and block spam. Our guide to blocking spam calls and texts covers the options.
5. Be wary of quick-money claims. Every investment has risks, and anyone guaranteeing big, fast returns with no risk is a scammer.

If you have already replied, there is no cause for alarm. Stop replying now. If the chat reached the stage of investing or money, do not send anything, and see how to report a scam in the US if you did.

Things to watch

• A message that begins with a greeting from a number you do not know.
• An apology for the mistake, followed by more conversation.
• A new friend who steers the chat towards money, crypto or a job.
• A request to move to another messaging app.
• A photo or profile that seems too perfect.
• The same kind of text arriving from a new number after you ignore the first.

If you want to help the real owner of a number, there is no need to. Kind people sometimes feel they must answer. The safest kindness is to leave the message unanswered.