JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Scammers are using random “Hi how are you” text messages as a conversation starter, but you should 100% ignore these messages. You are asking for trouble if you start corresponding with them.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, the scammer will apologize and find a way to build your trust. Once they do, they’ll offer you advice on investing or claim that they can teach you how to make big money. They will then expect a fee for the information and try to steal your money.
One Jacksonville man who does not respond to the text messages said, “I ignore it. Delete it. Back in the day, you’d say, ‘Who is this?’ And then oh yeah. ‘Who is this?’ You get a different random person addressing you with a different name. I just delete it. I don’t respond.”
A Jacksonville woman who told News4JAX she does not open the text messages said, “My husband is a tech guy and so he works for AT&T and he’s always telling me, ‘See this? Do not open it.’ So, I am very aware of what I should and should not.”
There are a couple of ways that you can avoid this scam.
First, do not reply to text messages from unknown numbers because you will confirm that your telephone number is working.
Next, never click links in an unexpected message. Finally, don’t trust anyone who says you can easily and quickly make money. Beware of strangers.