We’ve all been there: a casual “Hello” or “Hi” pops up on your phone from an unknown number. It seems harmless, even polite—but that single word could be the start of a scam. As highlighted in a recent Fox5 Vegas investigation, cybercriminals are banking on your curiosity (or politeness) to lure you into a conversation. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe.
The Scam Behind the Greeting
Scammers blast out thousands of generic “Hello” texts to random numbers, playing a numbers game. Their goal? Confirm they’ve reached a real person. Even a simple “Who is this?” tells them your number is active, making you a prime target for follow-up scams. Once they know you’re responsive, they’ll escalate efforts to build fake trust—whether posing as a wrong number, a friendly stranger, or a service provider—to extract personal details like passwords, financial data, or Social Security numbers.
Protect Yourself: Silence is Safety
If you receive a suspicious text:
- Don’t Respond. Ignore the urge to reply, even to ask, “Who’s this?” Silence starves scammers of what they want: confirmation.
- Block and Report. Mark the message as spam (most phones have this option) and block the number. This helps carriers flag malicious activity.
- Guard Your Info. Legitimate organizations won’t ask for sensitive details via text. If in doubt, contact the company directly through official channels.
No Need to Be Polite
Worried about seeming rude? Don’t be. Scammers exploit social norms to manipulate victims. Prioritize your security over etiquette—it’s far riskier to engage than to ignore.
In a world where a single “Hi” can hide danger, vigilance is your best defense. Stay skeptical, stay silent, and keep your personal information locked down.
Source: Fox5 Vegas
Stay safe, and remember: When in doubt, block it out.