Dossier
Wrong-number texts
Coverage of Wrong-number texts in the Nexus archive.
- Your polite reply to that text is worth $2 on the dark web
Although many wrong-number texts are harmless, responding politely can be valuable to cybercriminals. By replying, an individual confirms that their number is active and receptive, which increases its value as a target for fraud. Scammers analyze the reply not because of a technical exploit, but because it proves the person is responsive, polite, and quick to answer.