Scam guides › Wrong number / "hi, how are you?" text
"Wrong number" texts from strangers: why you shouldn't reply
Updated . By the AskBeforeYouSend editorial team (how we fact-check). Fact-checked against the official sources listed at the bottom.
Short answer: Don't reply, not even to say "wrong number." The FTC says scammers use "hi, how are you?" and wrong-number texts to start a conversation, become your friend, and later pitch crypto investing or ask for money. Even a short reply confirms your number works, which can bring more scam calls and texts. Delete it and report it as junk, or forward it to 7726.
Key facts
- The FTC: it's not rude to ignore "hi, how are you?" texts from strangers.
- These chats often turn into crypto investment or romance scams (FTC).
- Report and delete: use "Report junk" or forward the text to 7726 (SPAM).
What it looks like
Hi Linda, are we still on for dinner Thursday? 🙂 ... Oh, I'm so sorry, wrong number! You seem really nice though. I'm Amy. I trade gold and crypto in my spare time, have you ever tried it?
A made-up example of the usual two-step pattern.
How the scam works
- A friendly text arrives from a number you don't know, as if meant for someone else.
- If you answer, they apologize and keep chatting, often for weeks.
- Then they share how much they've made investing and offer to teach you, or a hardship comes up and they need money.
Red flags
- A friendly text from a stranger
- A quick move to WhatsApp or another app
- Talk about crypto, gold or trading profits
- A new friend who can't video chat but needs money
What to do now
- Don't reply. Delete it.
- Use "Report junk" or forward it to 7726 (SPAM), then block the number.
- Never click links in an unexpected text.
- If you've been chatting and they bring up investing, stop. Talk to someone you trust.
Never send money, gift cards, crypto or verification codes because of a call, text or message. Hang up and call the real number.
Report it
Questions
What if it's someone I know with a new number?
Call that person on the number you already have, or ask a relative. Don't confirm anything by texting the new number back.
Sources
- FTC consumer alert: Why it's not rude to ignore "hi, how are you?" text messages from strangers (Jun 3, 2024)
- FTC consumer alert: Is that unexpected text a scam? (Apr 2025)
- FTC Data Spotlight: Top text scams of 2024
- FTC: How to recognize and report spam text messages
Example messages are made up to show the pattern unless we say otherwise. Phone numbers in examples use the fictional 555 range.
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