What are wrong number text scams, and how can you avoid them?

It’s not an honest mistake; it’s the start of an attack on your wallet.

By Ben Stegner Oct. 27, 2026 6:00 pm EST Nadia_bormotova/Getty Images Add Engadget on Google: Google Discover

There's a good chance you've gotten a message from a "wrong number" at least once. These follow a familiar pattern: a random number asks a question addressed to a name that's not yours, so you politely respond and say they have the wrong number. Instead of acknowledging this and moving on, they thank you for being so kind and ask if you want to be friends.