Scam texts

IronicMaiden

Someone tried to call me earlier, and when I didn't answer, sent me a text.

Hey [my name]
This is Kenny
Please call me back

This is a scam technique. It sounds reasonable, maybe there's someone who I forgot about, but it's completely devoid of information. It's apparently pretty easy to match my name to my phone number. Rather than say whether or not I know anyone named Kenny, I said I don't know anyone in the state that their number is from. They didn't respond, so I reported the text as spam.

Be safe. Social engineering is all about sounding reasonable and even possible. If they can't scam you, they want to get more information to make it easier to scam you later.

I can only guess what they would have done if I had answered the phone.

trysdet

I don't know any Kenny. Block and report a spam. I'm sure you did. Good to be aware

TheFunCartel

I thought those bastards killed Kenny. Definitely a scam.

IronicMaiden

@trysdet I do know a Kenny, but I wasn't about to tell them that. Every bit of information is something they can use.

biancalovecraft

They're also stealing your voice and feeding it to AI so they can call your friends and family pretending to be you. I Don't even answer my phone anymore.

CuddleBarista1

I used to receive a text saying “Hey Amy! Are we meeting up for golf to discuss a business meeting?” I would tell them wrong number and they would be like oh, I am sorry to disrupt your day and they try to ask more questions from me.

SpinDoctor

@biancalovecraft is that a real thing? That’s terrifying

mauvefox

Yeah, i just don't answer my phone anymore and I don't reply to texts from numbers I don't know. I don't say anything, just report and delete.

biancalovecraft

@SpinDoctor yes it's a real thing. If someone calls you saying they're stranded while traveling or something else bizarre you want to try to reach them through their usual channel immediately.