Something you can be sure of when it comes to scams and swindles is that the methods used to try to part you from your data, your money, or both are constantly changing—which of course makes it more difficult to spot scenarios where someone is attempting to trick you. One simple scam that's continuing to get more common starts off with text from someone who has apparently messaged the wrong number. There's no mistake though: Your number is being deliberately targeted by a fraudster. A wrong number scam can lead in multiple directions. The aim might be to con you out of money or to get into some of your most important digital accounts—either belonging to you or your company. Here's how to spot these scams and how to make sure you don't get taken in. How a Wrong Number Scam Works Wrong number texts can take many forms. David Nield The US Federal Trade Commission says wrong number scams are on the rise, but they’re an old trick. Quite simply, you get a text message that appears to be for someone else. They might pretend to be confirming a delivery order or asking if you are free to work a shift tomorrow. They could even be from a family member telling you about their “new” number. Sometimes, the message is a simple “hey” or “hello,” while in other cases it will seem to be following up on a previous conversation—something like “did you get the documents I sent over?” or “are we still OK to meet up tomorrow?” The original message will be designed to seem as innocuous as possible. There are lots of variations, which makes them more difficult to spot. The manipulation doesn't really get started until you reply. That confirms to the scammer that the number is active and that there's another person on the line. If you do reply, expect further messages to follow, trying to establish some kind of relationship. The follow-up messages can take many forms, just like the original text. You'll most likely get a few questions, the answers to which will be used to try to gain your trust. The trick is sometimes called pig butchering, because the intended and unfortunate victim is being “fattened up” and ready to be exploited.