What happens if you reply to a scammer text?
Directly replying to a spam text message lets a spammer know that your number is genuine. What happens next They can sell your phone number to other spammers who might bombard you with false promises of free gifts and product offers. Instead, it's best to block and report the number.
Scammers send fake text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information — things like your password, account number, or Social Security number. If they get that information, they could gain access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers.
In a word: no. You can't get hacked by simply answering your phone. However, you can fall prey to “vishing”—which is the verbal equivalent of “phishing.” Here, again, the intent is to create a sense of urgency, so you do not have time to sit back and think.
THE ANSWER. Yes, some scammers are posing as people who have texted the wrong number. Experts recommend you don't respond to texts from strangers — if nothing else, a scammer will know your phone number is active when you reply.
Smishing is when fraudsters use text messaging to impersonate a trusted organization and steal your identifying information, such as your Social Security number, account usernames and passwords, bank account information or credit card numbers.
If you're thinking your iPhone is protected from potential hacks then you're wrong. Even a simple message received on the iPhone could be enough to get your device hacked. Recently, the iPhone text message hack has surfaced online, making users cautious about their devices' safety.
With their GPS radios and constant data connection, smartphones are technically capable of tracking our location and monitoring our activity, which is enough to raise privacy concerns among users. Few people know, however, that phones can be tracked using little more than a text message.
If it doesn't make sense for the conversation to proceed, that's a good place to end the conversation by not responding. They ask you a question, and you respond to that question. Conversation over. They don't need to respond to your response.
Can I get a virus from opening a text? The likelihood of you receiving a virus from opening a text is low. It usually takes clicking on an infected link or file to trigger a virus to install onto a device.
Simply opening and reading an SMS text message is unlikely to infect your phone, but you can get a virus or malware if you download an infected attachment or click a link to a compromised website. SMS phishing attacks — known as smishing — use this technique.
What do I dial to see if my phone is being monitored?
You can immediately check if your phone has been compromised, or if your calls, messages etc have been forwarded without your knowledge. All you need to do is dial a few USSD codes - ##002#, *#21#, and *#62# from your phone's dialer.
In terms of texting, replying too soon (although great at first) over time can cause the other person to start to see you as less value. This results in the person having less of an urge to text you.
Ignoring messages is frowned upon in these always-on times. At its most egregious, dropping out of communication is condemned as “ghosting,” which, in the years since the term became widespread, has become a deadly sin of digital communications.
Give them the benefit of the doubt, both experts agree. If you wait seven days, without sending a double text, and your inbox is still at zero, you should take that as a sign too. No response is a response, Fields says.
Should I Respond To Text Messages From Unknown Numbers? This is the same as phone calls, but can often be a bit trickier. The simple answer – don't respond and don't click on any links. There are some really creative text message scams out there right now.
With any spam text messages, you should never reply to them. Doing so confirms to the spammers that you're a real person and a potential target. Sometimes spammers try to trick you into responding by saying, "text STOP to be removed from our mailing list" or something similar.
The Rule of Response: Always respond, unless you don't want to be friends with that person anymore. Yes, we are all busy people, and I know it's sometimes hard to respond when you know it will probably end up as a full on text conversation, but you should always respond.