“When are you free for coffee?” Long lost friend or a scammer trying to get you to respond?

I get these texts often. I appreciated the info. I do usually respond with wrong number etc. but now I'm more informed.

Are you kidding? I get the 'coffee' emails all the time. I let one go for a bit just to see what the scam was. They are trying to get information. But if you stay on long enough, they will try one of a couple of scams. (Either trying get you to click on a link or asking for money.) There is nothing hypothetical here. These are real. Thank your good luck you haven't received one yet.
I get them in SMS, Telegram, Messaging and Whatsapp. I always report and block them.

I found the article full of useful information. It confirmed my policy to avoid answering unknown phone call. (They can always leave a message.)

Forwarding to Spam excellent.

Apparently Killian is not receiving any nuisance texts yet, as mentioned in the FTC notice.
I get hundreds, and have to block any sender info that appears to be connected.
The names used are bogus, and the phone numbers computer generated to register any reply hits.
This is a valid warning announcement from FTC, even though it is at least a year late being published....

Hi Killian,

This is a really common scam. Criminals usually get your phone number from data breaches, so these aren't random texts. They're targeted at you, trying anything to get you to engage. We know from research that the most effective way to prevent being the victim of a scam is to never engage in the first place. The criminals also know this, and work really hard to just try and get some level of response from folks. A response also tells them they are texting an active phone number, and they will continue to try and get you to communicate with them.

I did receive a text message like this - only it wanted me to come over for dinner. It was from a 786 number which is in Florida (2000 miles from where I live) and did not include a name or any other information. I wisely deleted it. I think the FTC knows what it is doing.

I did have this happen to me. Long lost friend on facebook messenger just saying hello after a long time and then they hit me with a bunch of pitches about Government money being available. She had been hacked.

Thank you for this article. My husband and I are constantly getting these text messages from unknown numbers and I have been reporting them to my provider. They ask questions too, like "Is this so and so? Do not respond yes or no. I think they may somehow take your response like they do on calls and manipulate it to somehow make it seem like it was you.

This happened to me last night, only it wasn't a "coffee date", but a "We went to the same school together. Sorry I've been out of touch. Want to talk?"

Actually I’ve gotten this phishing txt and other’s like it many many times. So, yes, it happens and it’s a legit scam. They’re trying to engage.

Sometimes it’s a simple “hi - how are you?” or it’s “hello - I’ve been thinking of you.”

Easy to fall for and respond “who is this?”

Lately I’m getting the so called recruiter, job txts. It never ends. Delete/block/don’t respond even if it’s me wanting to swear at them.

Actually, I get these all the time. When they come in, I don't respond. I add it to my blocklist.

Killian, I agree that this isn't much of a scam report - more of a general warning to not engage with unknown people trying to contact you. However, in regard to this scam "actually happening", I have personally received this exact text and many of my banking clients have reported similar. Bizarre that you would assume it's not real..?

Not true. Scammers do this - it’s a very real thing and this message from the FTC is helpful. Just an example of some of the messages I’ve received:

“Hey, long time no see. How are you?”
“Is this Julie’s number?”
“Hi John. I heard you moved to Michigan.” That’s the first one I ever got and I responded, “You have the wrong person.” At which point he responded with a friendly remark. Eventually he started with the scamming. I don’t remember if it was for crypto. A lot of people, women especially, have fallen for romance scams where the guy pretends to message the wrong person, starts with friendly comments, soon starts with the “I love you, I’d like to meet in person” schtick. Usually the guy is on an oil rig, a doctor in a foreign country or someone in the army. Next they start asking for money in the form of gift cards or bitcoin, two things that can’t be traced, because they have had some financial issue and need their victim to send them money so they can come visit. Of course, they never show up. They have multiple accounts stolen from other people.

To make a long story short, this happens all the time. Thanks to the FTC for getting out the word on these and other scams.

Kinda funny you say that it hasn’t happened to anyone. My number is on the dark web and I get so many of these types of text.

Its real and happening to me. I block the number ASAP