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If you’re a proud owner of a cell phone, chances are you’ve received a mysterious text from an unknown number. Most likely, you sent back a quick message in response, letting them know that they mixed up the digits or just simply ignored it. But some people just can’t resist the opportunity to play along with the anonymous sender, resulting in some of the funniest interactions.

We’ve gathered some of them in this list, courtesy of the r/wrongnumber subreddit. Scroll down to find happy accidents that probably brightened someone’s day, and be sure to share your own similar encounters below!

While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out a conversation with cybersecurity and privacy specialist Jonathan Steele and cybersecurity specialist Sam J. Brown, who kindly agreed to tell us about the malicious intent that sometimes hides behind wrong number texts.

#1

Sent Picture Of My Kids (Left) To The Wrong Number And Their (Right) Response Was

Sent Picture Of My Kids (Left) To The Wrong Number And Their (Right) Response Was

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#3

Jake's Butthole

Jake's Butthole

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Louise B
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seems like that's the sort of mistake you'd only make once. Poor Jake.

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While receiving a wrong number text can sometimes lead to amusing outcomes, there’s quite a high chance that the person who ‘accidentally’ mixed up the digits is trying to get the conversation going just enough to deceive you. 

This is called a ‘wrong number text’ scam. In the first half of last year, Americans received over 10 billion spam and scam texts per month, and wrong-number text scams are just one type of them. The aforementioned can be especially sneaky and are seen as a growing problem. 

#5

Pleasant Conversation I Had With A Total Stranger Today

Pleasant Conversation I Had With A Total Stranger Today

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#6

Love This Wrong Number Reply

Love This Wrong Number Reply

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Julia Mckinney
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait a sec, *asking suspiciously* is this the hire-a-killer website that's a front for law enforcement?

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To learn more about this type of scam and its prevention methods, Bored Panda reached out to cybersecurity and privacy specialist Jonathan Steele and cybersecurity specialist Sam J. Brown.

Brown explains, “Scammers use a tactic known as social engineering, where they try to manipulate people into giving up personal information or performing actions that compromise their security. These messages are often made to seem casual and innocent, like "Is this John?" or "Hey, long time no see!"—something that might make you think it's just a mistaken text.”

#8

Imagine Being The Parent

Imagine Being The Parent

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#9

Teaching Moment

Teaching Moment

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Once the targeted person is engaged, they may start asking for personal information or send malicious links. “In some cases, scammers may even try to impersonate someone you know from an unknown number, using familiar language or details to trick you into trusting them and letting your guard down. When in doubt, don’t engage—hang up or ignore the text, and contact the person directly using the number you already have for them,” warns Brown. 

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Steele also mentions that the wrong number texts can further escalate into more consequential scams like phishing, pig butchering, or romance scams, all in hopes of extracting personal or financial information. 

#11

Le Sigh, Some People. She Continued To Go Off And Cuss At Me Lol

Le Sigh, Some People. She Continued To Go Off And Cuss At Me Lol

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#12

Tried To Get Everyone A Raise

Tried To Get Everyone A Raise

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Boredest Panda
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nah, you’re definitely looking for this guy. Caesar was stabbed to death a LOOOONNNG time ago. Been about 2 days.

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To stay safe against scammers’ attempts, it’s important to know how to recognize when they're happening. “Key signs include vague introductions, responses to nonexistent conversations, urgent requests for personal details, or links to unfamiliar sites,” tells us Steele. 

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#15

Lady Asked For Where To Put The Rocks. I Was Feeling Helpful…

Lady Asked For Where To Put The Rocks. I Was Feeling Helpful…

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Meanwhile, Brown says that the first red flag we should notice is the unknown number that is asking questions or trying to start a conversation.

Another warning sign could be strange conversation starters. “Scammers often use vague messages like “Who is this?” or “Is this [random name]?” to get a response. Once you engage, they may try to gather more information or convince you to click a link,” says Brown. 

#17

Lilian Is A P*ss Monster

Lilian Is A P*ss Monster

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#18

My Favorite Wrong Number Experience By Far

My Favorite Wrong Number Experience By Far

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Requests for personal information are an additional bright red flag that people should identify right away. “Scammers might try to create urgency or appeal to your emotions to prompt a quick response. Messages like “I’m in trouble” or “You’ve won a prize” are designed to make you act before thinking,” Brown adds. “Be highly suspicious of texts that include links or ask you to download something. These could lead to websites that try to steal your information or infect your device with malware.”

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#21

Poor Maya!

Poor Maya!

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Lost Penny
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Was the recipient the real Maya or was it a completely wrong number & a troll answer...? 🤔

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So if you receive a text from an unknown number, the safest thing to do is delete it without replying. “Responding could confirm that your number is active, making you more of a target,” notes Brown. “Never click on links in texts from people you don’t know, as they could lead to phishing websites or install harmful software on your phone. Most smartphones let you block and report suspicious numbers, which can stop further messages.”

#22

I’ve Decided To Answer All Obvious Spam Texts Something Toe-Nail Related

I’ve Decided To Answer All Obvious Spam Texts Something Toe-Nail Related

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#23

I Guess Mia Doesn’t Like Riddles

I Guess Mia Doesn’t Like Riddles

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#24

Some Random A*s Person Text Me. Even Tried Calling Me Once

Some Random A*s Person Text Me. Even Tried Calling Me Once

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“It’s also a good idea to turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for your important accounts, like email or banking, to add extra security. Make sure your phone’s software updates are current to protect against potential threats. Always be cautious—if something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut and avoid engaging with the message,” Brown additionally mentions. 

#26

Couldn’t Help But Play Along

Couldn’t Help But Play Along

Keelie never text back after that..

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#27

Guess I Was Bored

Guess I Was Bored

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Hphizzle
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Questions: is that a picture of the wrong number? Is it a picture they randomly had on their phone? How? Why?

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Steele recommends people use iOS’s “Filter Unknown Senders” apps like RoboKiller. “Avoid engaging with unknown numbers, and never click suspicious links,” he once more stresses. 

#28

It Is Your Duty To Mess With Wrong Number Texts

It Is Your Duty To Mess With Wrong Number Texts

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Kyra Heiker
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of these are scam attempts, not technically wrong numbers, which is why some of the responses are so off the wall.

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#33

Just About Ended A Marriage

Just About Ended A Marriage

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#34

First Wrong Number Experience, And It Was A Karen!

First Wrong Number Experience, And It Was A Karen!

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#35

Hope Olivia Is Doing Okay

Hope Olivia Is Doing Okay

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#36

Bro Thought I Was Someone Else

Bro Thought I Was Someone Else

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#39

Wholesome Interaction

Wholesome Interaction

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Shelli Aderman
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

@kyra Heiker- WE KNOW! It’s still funny! Why do you feel compelled to share the obvious without context?

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#40

My Public Defender Said She Was Sending Me My Court Date Information And I Received This

My Public Defender Said She Was Sending Me My Court Date Information And I Received This

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#41

I Got Broken Up With By A Random Person

I Got Broken Up With By A Random Person

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Shelli Aderman
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m very curious about the myriad of wrong numbers for spouses and significant others. 🤔

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#42

Escalated Quickly

Escalated Quickly

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Shelli Aderman
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

@kyra, again, if you could share more than, “another scam,” maybe you wouldn’t get downvoted as much. For example, what ABOUT it being a scam?

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#43

Men

Men

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Nicky
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seems like a semi-literate, boastful, really stable genius. Republican presidential material.

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#45

Probably Should’ve Just Told Them It Was The Wrong Number

Probably Should’ve Just Told Them It Was The Wrong Number

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StarCrossedFriday
Community Member
1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Man, I don’t get opportunities like this nearly enough - I’m almost tempted to try ‘scamming’ people myself, just so I can set up amazing interactions like this from the other end 😅

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Note: this post originally had 52 images. It’s been shortened to the top 45 images based on user votes.