Alpacalia Posted July 14 Posted July 14 So the other day I received a text message on my personal mobile from someone I don't know. He knew my name and telephone number and said he was interested in getting to know me and he included a picture of himself. I am kinda freaked out a bit because my phone number is not published anywhere and I am trying to figure out how he got my information so I can safeguard myself in the future. I didn't reply, because then they known that it's you. Has anyone else had something like this happen? I'm curious how the person ended up getting MY number AND knows my name.
ShyViolet Posted July 14 Posted July 14 My first thought is it's some kind of scam. That's what everything seems to be nowadays.
Author Alpacalia Posted July 14 Author Posted July 14 Yes, that was my first thought too. I don't know how they got my name and phone number but I certainly won't be replying!
lemonicetea Posted July 15 Posted July 15 I’m thinking it’s a scam of some sort and I would just block the number.
ExpatInItaly Posted July 15 Posted July 15 Yes, that has happened to me. I just blocked the nu,mber and that was it.
introverted1 Posted July 15 Posted July 15 At this point, there have been so many security breaches at companies and even government agencies that it is safe to assume all your data is online somewhere. And with sites happy to sell personal data to anyone with a credit card, it's no surprise that we all receive spam/scam calls and texts daily. Block and delete.
Author Alpacalia Posted July 15 Author Posted July 15 Thanks ya'll! I was just weirded out about it because he said, "Hi (insert my name)" and he had my personal, unpublished number but I guess anyone can get your information these days.
Alvi Posted July 21 Posted July 21 (edited) Who knows these days? I’ve heard stories about strangers somehow getting your personal information. I agree, just block him. Perhaps your number is attached to your credit card or you gave it at a retail store or some company? Or somebody got a hold of your bank information. Even dating sites are asking for a phone number and who knows what they do with it. Some stores ask you for your number and give you a card so that you could get a store discount. Quite a few times a retailer asks my name and number when I either return or exchange item that I have purchased. Amazon or registry or an insurance company? Could be anything. Too many scams going around. You can change your number if you are afraid that he may somehow find out more about you. When I was 18, something weird like that happened to me. A random guy called and said he’d seen me at the grocery store, describing my hair and what I was wearing. Then he told me he was looking for FWB and started describing his privates. I was so shocked I didn’t say anything. A few days later, he called again, repeated the same thing, and asked to meet. That time, I swore at him and told him never to call again. I still don’t know how he identified me or got my number. I lived in a big city, not some small town where everyone knows each other. This was 30 years ago. Way before cell phones and data breaches. Did someone give him my number? Was he just some random creep, or was he stalking me? I never found out since I never heard from him again. Sometimes I still wonder if one of my so-called “friends” put him up to it. Either way, you have to be more careful now than back then. I don’t answer calls from unknown numbers and always block strange texts. Edited July 21 by Alvi
Author Alpacalia Posted July 21 Author Posted July 21 10 hours ago, Alvi said: Who knows these days? I’ve heard stories about strangers somehow getting your personal information. I agree, just block him. Perhaps your number is attached to your credit card or you gave it at a retail store or some company? Or somebody got a hold of your bank information. Even dating sites are asking for a phone number and who knows what they do with it. Some stores ask you for your number and give you a card so that you could get a store discount. Quite a few times a retailer asks my name and number when I either return or exchange item that I have purchased. Amazon or registry or an insurance company? Could be anything. Too many scams going around. You can change your number if you are afraid that he may somehow find out more about you. Reference When I was 18, something weird like that happened to me. A random guy called and said he’d seen me at the grocery store, describing my hair and what I was wearing. Then he told me he was looking for FWB and started describing his privates. I was so shocked I didn’t say anything. A few days later, he called again, repeated the same thing, and asked to meet. That time, I swore at him and told him never to call again. I still don’t know how he identified me or got my number. I lived in a big city, not some small town where everyone knows each other. This was 30 years ago. Way before cell phones and data breaches. Did someone give him my number? Was he just some random creep, or was he stalking me? I never found out since I never heard from him again. Sometimes I still wonder if one of my so-called “friends” put him up to it. Either way, you have to be more careful now than back then. I don’t answer calls from unknown numbers and always block strange texts. Oh my gosh, Alvi, that's frightening! I would have been completely creeped out. It's unsettling enough that he knew what you looked like and where he'd seen you, but the fact that he somehow got your phone number makes it even more disturbing. Then to call back a second time after you told him off? That's really unnerving. I'm glad he never contacted you again. Unfortunately, there have always been people like that, but today it's even easier for strangers to get hold of personal information.
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