Scams going around · Text messages

Wrong number text scam

Pretends to be a stranger who texted the wrong number by mistake. A stranger sends a friendly text, like "hi, how are you?", as if they reached the wrong number. Then they keep chatting to become your friend. Once they have your trust, they try to get you to put money into a fake investment, often cryptocurrency (a kind of digital money).

An example of what it can look like

Not a real message: the details are made up.

(202) 555-0147
Hi, is this Linda? It has been so long! Do you want to get a coffee this Saturday?

How to tell

A friendly text arrives from a number you do not know, like "hi, how are you?" or "do you want to get a coffee?"
When you say it is the wrong number, they apologize and keep chatting.
They quickly shower you with praise and attention, and the friendship may turn romantic.
They say they are a successful investor. They offer to teach you how to make big money, often with cryptocurrency (a kind of digital money).
Their app or website shows your money growing, but to take it out you are told to pay taxes or penalties first.

What to do

Do not reply to a text from a number you do not know, and do not tap any link in it. Even a reply that just says "wrong number" tells them your number works.
Report the text with your phone's "report junk" option, or forward it to 7726 (SPAM). Then delete it.
If you are already chatting, stop as soon as you see it is a wrong number.
Do not trust anyone who says you can make money quickly and easily.
Never give a stranger your home address or agree to meet someone to hand over cash.

If you already tapped, paid, called or replied

Stop replying. Do not pay any "taxes" or "penalties" to get money out, and do not hand cash to anyone sent to collect it.
If you sent money by bank transfer or Zelle, call your bank or credit union right away and ask them to reverse the payment.
If you paid with cryptocurrency (digital money), contact the company where you bought it right away. For a cryptocurrency ATM, contact the company that runs the machine. Tell the company it was fraud and ask them to reverse the payment.
If you used a wire transfer company like Western Union or MoneyGram, report it to them right away and ask for a refund.

How to check for real

If a text seems to come from someone you know, reach them on a number you already have. Do not put money into a trading app (an app for buying and selling investments) or website that someone you met by text suggests. You can search its name and web address online for scam warnings. Finding none does not mean it is real.

Where to report it

Report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM). This helps your cell phone company spot and block similar messages.
If you lost money, file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.
If you are 60 or older and need help filing with IC3, call the Department of Justice (DOJ) Elder Justice Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).

Free guides that go with this

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Where this comes from

Written from these official warnings, checked 2026-09-25. Lantern is not part of any organization named on this page.