Why it’s not rude to ignore “hi, how are you?” text messages from strangers

You're absolutely right about this!

Yes even I know not to text someone that I don't have any idea who they are it is true that you should ignore them

Don't say "yes" to the first thing the caller asks: "Hello. Is this ("your name")?
They record the "yes" and connect it to the question(s) about purchasing or subscribing to something and then you get billed, etc.
Instead, ask, "Who is calling, please?"
If you don't recognize the person or company, just hang up before they go into their "script."

Thank you for the information. Most seniors are caught in these scams because we were taught to be polite, and don't 🤔 think of being scammed.

Thanks, very useful.

Would not ignore or miss anything that you send! Good work.

Difficulty moving subject matter to reading further or other material. Thanks.

Is there anyway I can block the annoying text messages I get from political candidates, like Trump, and others?

I didn't lose anything, but the person on the other end tried to "hook up" with me. I've never heard of this person in my life. I am not going to go out with some random phone caller, just because he had dialed the wrong number! He then thought maybe if he texted pictures of himself that I'd be interested, as a last resort. Uh....no sir! "Poof! Blocked and deleted!" What a disgusting male chaovanist pig!!

I don't understand why you can't block unverified phone numbers. Or at very least block google sourced numbers since that is where almost ALL the scam texts I get come from. There HAS to be a way to block anonymous texts and calls. It has gotten to the point for me that I do not answer my phone unless the number is in my contacts.

Isn't there some global way to block this phrase (and other phrases) in the subject box or message.???
Remember paying more for a private phone number. How would I do this with an email address.
Though privacy was strongly supported in the Constitution.!?

Great advice! I had an email scam from wire transfer to South Africa in 2016. They used you won the lottery through Windows and "do not tell anybody about it" The bank I used was Wells Fargo.

Got several recently. One said "I'm at the airport. Where are you?" Another said "Are you okay?" A third - I don't remember what it said, but again - no relationship to me at all. Numbers I didn't have in my contacts list (which would have shown anyway, like all the other texts I get) and questions that had no relevance to me or my activities.
So ... delete, delete, delete. ... I'm VERY good at deleting! :D

You’re so right I wonder how the scammers get my phone number I know a diversity’s of people who live in different states sometimes they have to stop answering their phones because of all the scammers phone calls and texts messages the scammers really take advantage of the older people especially in New Mexico I have never had so much identity theft until I moved to NM for six years straight I always have to contact the FTC your information is very educational keep up the good work

Madam/Sir, Sometimes unknown/scammers say that they have viewed this mobile number on YouTube videos. Some unruly viewers use abusive language to show the apathy towards that filthy singer. I lodged my complain several years ago on YouTube but it was not being processed. In recent years I reported such malpractices on FTC and then on Cybercrime portal of my country. After that last year I have noticed that the singer and his channels have rectified their contact details but even then unknown/scammers calls or WhatsApp me just to interact with that filthy singer. Yesterday one such unknown/scammer had interacted me for 10 minutes on WhatsApp and I reported it to the Govt agency along with WhatsApp. I was not aware that scammers are using text messages too to do scams. Thanks!

Thank you!
Very accurate and very helpful. Would be nice to narrow the scammers playing field to nothing if more people would follow your advice.
In the IT business and these are good messages!
KUDOS

Yep, it works and got me to the tune of $8,000 Bucks. That's what I call learning the hard way.

I feel like scammers are getting craftier by using phone numbers in the same area code. We need more education and awareness around scams and how to respond. Thank you for this post.

I generally just block these. But if I am in the mood, I will be as unpleasant with them as possible in as many ways as I can. If I discourage even one of these people, I may be saving someone else. Unpleasant can be anywhere from stringing them along as long as a I can you describing to them what low lifes they are in as graphic terms as possible. I don't recommend this for everyone. But these criminals deserve all the abuse I can heap on them.

I know what you mean when you can't get out of the habit of saying "Hello? Yes, this is ....." That "YES" can cost you a lot of money.

I had to train myself to answer the phone with "What is it?" when I don't know who's calling. It was difficult at first, but a little practice and you can do it. Avoid saying 'yes' or yeah or yep. Anything that can be used as you consenting to something.

Calls to me (when I do answer) go something like this: What is it? Is this Joe? What is it? Are you Joe? What is it? And they hang up. Guess they wanted me to say "Yes".

Job scams are everywhere. Please don't talk to people who claim to be from an employer who gives vague and unclear information about their company. If they ask for something in return, don't respond.

Thanks for your thoughts.

I've turned off my "auto download" in my SMS message app. So if there's an attachment with a text message or AS a text message, if I don't know the sender, I simply "mute" anyone from that number, then eventually I delete them. If attachments are not opened or downloaded within a time limit (ie 24 hours), they expire. I still receive SO many political texts and I rarely interact with them, not even with the ones I know are legit. The only thing I have ever gotten from donating to a political campaign, is dozen more requests for money for political stuff.

Today I received the infamous letter, regarding the unclaimed life insurance policy worth more than $10 million U.S. They reached out to me due to their deceased client and I sharing last names, go figure!
The law firm in Ontario Canada is Crawford, Nieves & Partners LLP. With an uncommon Hispanic last name, I got suspicious right away. I found no obit under his supposed name, of course I found the law firms website, which the partner writing the letter has her name, Crawford, Nieves & Partners LLP. Good luck to all of you and don't send anyone $, crypto or gift cards, unless you have dough to blow. Peace.

Thanks you

I have received 2 texts in the last two days. I look at my phone and there is a message saying "Your Prescence is needed at home" follow by about 4-5 emoji. it disappears in about 3 seconds. It is not in my message file.