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
Image credits: kamel_hump
#2 My Heart
Image credits: Bubble_Babe_0o0o0o
#3 Jake's Butthole
Image credits: noodled67
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.
#4 Oh Dear
Image credits: Bubble_Babe_0o0o0o
#5 Brilliant Team Work
Image credits: Bubble_Babe_0o0o0o
#6 Pleasant Conversation I Had With A Total Stranger Today
Image credits: lilsaddk
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.”
#7 Love This Wrong Number Reply
Image credits: Bubble_Babe_0o0o0o
#8 Tried To Get Everyone A Raise
Image credits: Gonnaholdmytung
#9 Teaching Moment
Image credits: letgomygrego
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.
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.
#10 Not Hannah
Image credits: Bubble_Babe_0o0o0o
#11 Imagine Being The Parent
Image credits: Professional-City328
#12 Nah You Right
Image credits: downvoteforwhy
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.
#13 Le Sigh, Some People. She Continued To Go Off And Cuss At Me Lol
Image credits: BagHeavy5907
#14 I Don't Know Why They Didn't Reply
Image credits: Merc_Twain25
#15 Lady Asked For Where To Put The Rocks. I Was Feeling Helpful…
Image credits: GazelleMore2890
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.
#16 It’s Me Mario…
Image credits: Goldenwork
#17 I’ve Decided To Answer All Obvious Spam Texts Something Toe-Nail Related
Image credits: somemetausername
#18 I Feel Like A Bad Person…
Image credits: IonasFinser
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.”
#19 Inconceivable!
Image credits: The82ndDoctor
#20 Lilian Is A P*ss Monster
Image credits: Bigr789
#21 My Favorite Wrong Number Experience By Far
Image credits: InitialMeasurement23
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 Poor Maya!
Image credits: Bubble_Babe_0o0o0o
#23 Guess I Was Bored
Image credits: NiceTavarish
#24 It Is Your Duty To Mess With Wrong Number Texts
Image credits: BUDSGREEN420
“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.
#25 They Sent Me A Pic Of The Cake!
Image credits: jeijay_
#26 Squad Goals
Image credits: 4352114CN412
#27 Who’s This
Image credits: Moonl1ghtizKol
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 Couldn’t Help But Play Along
Keelie never text back after that..
Image credits: [deleted]
#29 I Guess Mia Doesn’t Like Riddles
Image credits: Doustin
#30 Just A Little Trolling
Image credits: MineBloxKy
#31 Girlfriend Got A Random Number And It Made My Day
Image credits: CreamyBerrily
#32 Some Random A*s Person Text Me. Even Tried Calling Me Once
Image credits: Resident-Storage885
#33 Bro Thought I Was Someone Else
Image credits: Oscarsvlogs
#34 Aggressively Canadian
Image credits: BytesAndCoffee
#35 Wholesome Interaction
Image credits: Amadon29
#36 Ah Yes A “Facial”
Image credits: Moon_-_Runes
#37 Just About Ended A Marriage
Image credits: MrMeep0
#38 First Wrong Number Experience, And It Was A Karen!
Image credits: ropadope23
#39 Hope Olivia Is Doing Okay
Image credits: Sp33dyGh0st1
#40 I Got Broken Up With By A Random Person
Image credits: NotVamguard
#41 My Public Defender Said She Was Sending Me My Court Date Information And I Received This
Image credits: gasmschunes
#42 Men
Image credits: lala-land-04
#43 How Could You Don?!
Image credits: MrsMahaffey
#44 Probably Should’ve Just Told Them It Was The Wrong Number
Image credits: Adinspur
#45 I Might Have Gotten Agnes In Trouble
Image credits: Swedishfartmachine
#46 Um. Kevin? Bro? U Good?
Image credits: applesheep4
#47 Escalated Quickly
Image credits: Daft_Wee_Haggis
#48 A Friendly Mistake
Image credits: After-Cress9745
#49 He Really Missed Out
Image credits: FecesFan
#50 I’m More Concerned About The Spelling Than The Threat
Image credits: TheUndeadRooster
#51 This Happened A While Back. I Didn’t Order Anything
Image credits: Fishmaneatsfish
#52 He Was A Noble Steed
Image credits: snokkw
