Or maybe you're frustrated at receiving what appears to be yet another scam text message and want to vent. But as tempted as you may be, experts warn that sending a reply message of any kind could make the situation worse for you, even if you don't pass along any personal information or click a link.
The agency warns that if you get a message you weren't expecting, and it asks for personal information, don't click any links, and don't respond, instead block the messenger.
The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) also offers these tips to avoid smishing/vishing: Only answer calls from known numbers. If you answer a call from an unknown number, hang up immediately.
At its worst, the scammer asks for personal information or compromising photos. Thereafter, the texter may attempt to blackmail you into sending them money or more sensitive information. Whatever the method may be, do not respond to any unsolicited messages from phone numbers you do not recognize.
Directly replying to a spam text message lets a spammer know that your number is genuine. After you reply, they can sell your phone number to other spammers who might bombard you with false promises of free gifts and product offers. Instead, it's best to block and report the number.
No matter how sincere the person on the other end of the text chat may seem, there may not be a way to know if they are being completely honest. For instance, if we communicate with a stranger, it may be a good idea to refrain from giving out our last names, our locations, and our phone numbers.
Here are a few reasons it's generally a bad idea to answer a call from an unknown number: If the caller is a robocaller, scammer, telemarketer, or pollster, you're tipping them off that they've reached a working number. That could make you a future target for more calls and even get your number sold to others.
BBB Tips to Stay Safe From Romance/Phishing Scams
Never click on an unsolicited text message or email. Delete the message.
These messages are spam texts, also known as robotexts. The fact is, most spam texts don't come from another mobile phone. They usually come from a scammer who is sitting behind a computer sending a massive amount of texts from an email address or other messaging account.
Can someone steal your information through a text? No—unless you hit a link included in the text. To avoid getting hacked, do not hit any link that comes with a text or email—unless you are absolutely sure of the sender's identity.
No one legitimately sends “hi” to an unknown party. If you respond you'll get more spam. Block, delete, ignore. If you don't know who's texting you, always block, delete, ignore.
The text message is unsolicited (scammers will always contact you out of the blue). The text sender has a long phone number (10 or 11 digits). The phone number is “spoofed” (i.e., it looks like it's coming from someone you know or trust). The text includes a link that is most likely shortened or scrambled.
Ask her a thoughtful, open-ended question.
She might've actually thought you were the one sending a brief message, and she just followed suit. If you want to kick the convo up again, try asking her questions that require a full response. Focus on trying to really get to know her.
The numbers are sometimes hooked up with 900 numbers such as sex lines that charge by the minute… and it adds up fast. In general, you're better off ignoring an unknown number and forgetting about it. Any important news will be left in your voicemail. Be careful even if the person does leave a message.
Your phone number is an easy access point for scammers and identity thieves. Once scammers know your number, they can target you with phishing texts and calls, or trick you into downloading malware and giving up personal information.
Scammers can find your full name and address using your phone number on sites like WhoEasy and Whitepages. Using this information, they can build a full picture of you and try to steal your identity. Spoof your number to target friends and family.
We consider Signal the gold standard for secure messaging apps, and it's easy to see why. All of your messages are secured with E2EE and Signal is a nonprofit, so there's no reason to harvest any user data. The underlying technology of Signal is so successful it has been implemented by Google and Meta.
Dry texting is what happens when someone gives you short, non-engaging replies in a texting conversation. It can also be super repetitive and just plain boring, says Claudia Cox, a relationship coach and founder of Text Weapon.
Comment on the smiley face.
To respond positively, text something like, “Hey there! Thanks for the 😊, right back at ya!” To turn someone down nicely, say, “I'm flattered, but I'm just not interested.”
Someone can access your past messages via iCloud and Android backup apps such as Dr. Fone, which can be installed on a PC. Once they're in there, they can see all your past messages. mSpy certainly isn't the only app of its type out there.
Spoiler alert: they're from impersonators. The details vary, but the scammers are after the same thing: your money and your personal information. You may get a text from scammers pretending to be USPS and asking you to confirm your debit card details so you can get an undelivered package.
They do not usually disclose the phone number of the sender, thereby making it difficult to trace the fake number. Service providers typically need a court order to release the identity of the subscriber whose phone number was used to send the text message.
It's a little bit playful. Particularly when it's sent to someone you are interested in, have a history with or have flirted with before — there's something coy or teasing about it. What is this? So it can be safe to assume that if you guys have history, it's a flirty as well as friendly text.
Why am I getting spam text messages? Spam texts are both intrusive and pose a security threat. If you are getting spam texts, it's more than likely that whoever is sending you a spam text message is trying to get access to your personal information—bank accounts, passwords, social security number, online IDs and more.