Q: Why am I suddenly getting lots of weird, random texts from strangers asking if they know me?
A: If you’re receiving vague text messages from numbers you don’t recognize saying something like “Hi, do I know you?” or “I found your number in my address book,” you’re not alone, and it’s not a random mistake. They’re scam attempts, better known as ‘smishing’ (SMS+Phishing), that are designed to catch you off guard and get you to respond.
This is also an indicator that your phone number has been tagged as ‘active’ by the scamming world.
The setup of smishing scams
Scammers gather lists of phone numbers from data breaches, shady websites, or by using software that generates random combinations. Once they have a long list, they blast out messages using spoofed or rotating numbers that look legitimate, often from your same area code.
Instead of obvious scams like fake sweepstakes or banking alerts, they go subtle. Messages are intentionally vague—“Sorry, is this Jennifer?” or “We met at that gathering, remember?” The goal is to sound just real enough to make you pause and, most importantly, respond.
This approach also helps bypass spam and scam filters because it doesn’t contain obvious words or links that would get flagged. If they can get you to engage, this can cause your spam filters to relax and assume the sender is ‘okay’.
Why is texting their favorite channel? Because it works. Industry data shows that SMS messages have a 98% open rate, and response rates as high as 45%—far higher than email (average open rate: 20%) or phone calls (most ignored entirely).
The bait for smishing scams
If you respond—even with “wrong number”—you’ve confirmed your phone is active and that you’re willing to engage. It also elevates your number and puts you on a list of potential victims that’s shared or sold to other scammers.
From there, the scammer keeps chatting. Some pretend they’re lonely or new in town. Others apologize and try to strike up small talk. It may feel harmless, but they’re warming you up for the pitch.
The hook
Once you’re comfortable, they shift to their real goal. That could include:
- Pitching a fake investment or crypto opportunity
- Sending links that steal login credentials or install malware
- Asking for money for a fake emergency
- Gathering enough info to hijack your accounts
These scams might escalate quickly or play out slowly. In some cases, victims are emotionally manipulated over weeks before the scammer asks for anything.
The exit
When they’ve gotten what they want—or if you seem suspicious—they vanish. The number may be spoofed or go silent, but because you interacted with them, you’ll always be on a ‘high-value target’ list.
What to do when you’re a victim of smishing
The safest move is to not respond at all. Block the number and report it as spam through your messaging app or carrier, especially if you’ve already responded.
These messages might feel random, but they’re carefully crafted to manipulate human nature, and the stats prove how effective they are. Be suspicious, don’t respond, and don’t let curiosity become a scammer’s foot in your digital door.
If it becomes overwhelming, it may be time to get a new phone number.
The post Getting suspicious texts? You might be a victim of ‘smishing’ scams appeared first on KTAR.
