In this week’s scam, you receive a text message from an unknown number that asks a friendly question, like “Are we still on for dinner?” You may be tempted to reply and let the person know that they have texted the wrong number.

However, this “wrong number” message was actually sent by a cybercriminal, and it’s a trick to start a conversation with you! If you reply, they will continue messaging you to build your trust. Eventually, they will turn the conversation to money and might ask you to send them gift cards or offer you an opportunity to invest in cryptocurrency. What they talk to you about varies, but the goal of this “friendship” is to trick you into sending them your money or personal data!

Follow these tips to avoid falling victim to this scam:

Never share your personal or financial information with someone that you have only spoken to through text messages, even if they seem to need money or are offering you an “opportunity.” Scammers frequently use these tactics as a way to trick you into giving them your money or financial information.

If you receive a suspicious text message from an unknown number, don’t reply. A reply can let cybercriminals know that your number is active, and you could be targeted in future scams.

If you receive a suspicious text message, 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.