Don't talk to strangers! If you get a casual text message from an unknown number asking something like, "Are we still on for dinner?", it might not be an innocent mistake. It’s likely the start of a sophisticated text scam designed to build false trust. The safest move? Don't reply. Just block and delete.

These scams don't use urgent threats or malicious links. Some hackers play the long game. They'll start a casual conversation to build trust and a rapport, even sharing everyday photos of food, pets, or travel.

Once the "friendship" is established, you may be asked to continue the conversation on an encrypted app, like WhatsApp or Telegram, where they start pushing a financial incentive for you like cryptocurrency training or a special investment in their side income.

The goal is for you to send gift cards, money, or your personal data.

Avoid this scam:

• Never share your personal or financial information with someone that you have only communicated with through texts. If the financial opportunity seems to good to be true, it is likely fake.
• It's natural to want to politely reply, "Sorry, wrong number." However, cybercriminals use these casual icebreakers to find active phone lines. By responding, you inadvertently confirm that a real person is on the other end, making yourself a target for fraud. Stay safe; ignore the message, block the number, and delete the thread.
• Use your phone's settings to mark the message as spam or junk. This action helps your phone carrier identify and block these messages for everyone.