Receiving odd texts, what should I do?

[Lava King]

Hi all,

Yesterday at a little before 5pm I received a multimedia text from an unknown person. The odd thing is that it lists two recipients instead of the originating number. The pictures are of a room being remodeled and the text is just a dull commentary on that.

Today, at a little after 4 pm I received another text, but this time the header shows 8 recipients. None of the phone numbers are in my address book but they are all local mobile numbers. This photo shows an older woman sitting in an easy chair and the text says the person wants to dress mama in painter's clothing so she'll help.

So, should I respond and ask who this person is, or should I just remain quiet?

Is it an honest mistake or is it some kind of phishing attempt looking for working phone numbers?

 

[Gator]

Ignore it. I've been getting calls lately from someone who wants to fix my PC. LMFAO

The same person then called a few weeks later with a new number (same voice) asking about fixing something else. I told him if he wanted me to fall for the same scam as he tried to pull on me with fixing my PC. He hung up and stopped calling.

 

[Computer0304]

You can never be too safe. I mean, look at my sig. Just ignore it unless it gets obnoxious, Gator, when i get calls from a unknown number, I just completly ignore it. I did once get scared from a scam voicemail about the IRS.

 

[andrew129260]

If you have android, you can blacklist the number and you won't get anything from it.

 

[Lava King]

If you have android, you can blacklist the number and you won't get anything from it.

In the first message, there are two phone numbers; in the second there are 8 phone numbers. I don't know which one is the original sender.

I haven't received any more, if I do, I'll go to Verizon and see what they say. They'll probably just try to sell me a new phone. :sarc:

 

[Computer0304]

Yeah most companies try to squeeze as much money as they can from you.

 

[A Guy]

If Mama was cute...

A Guy

 

[Anak]

If you have android, you can blacklist the number and you won't get anything from it.

In the first message, there are two phone numbers; in the second there are 8 phone numbers. I don't know which one is the original sender.

I haven't received any more, if I do, I'll go to Verizon and see what they say. They'll probably just try to sell me a new phone. :sarc:

Here's an odd one for you. The power of suggestion?

I looked at your thread earlier in the day yesterday, but didn't reply, then about 9:30pm edt last night I received a phone call over our land line from the Bahamas (242)-325-3405 we have caller ID. Knowing of the Bahamian phone scam I thought I'd just let it ring and see what happened, but after 2 rings it stopped.

Here's something you can do with Verizon (Vz) see post #2:
How do you report a Verizon wireless customer who is sending spam text messages?
This is how a Vz customer describes the above instructions in layman's terms: Post #10 | by tbtidmarsh

Lifehacker link with the Big 4 phone carriers, the Vz link will send you to the first link above; Post #2:
Forward Spam Text Messages to 7726 to Report Them

The original Bahamian phone scam: snopes.com: 809 Area Code Scam
The variation. Here it describes how they play on a persons curiosity, it could be the reason my call lasted only two rings: PSA: Missed Call From A Mystery Number? Be Careful. | TechCrunch

More:
How to Protect Yourself from Premium SMS Text Message Scams

We are on the Do Not Call registry but as you can see it doesn't stop all calls, but I can complain about this one. If you would like to sign-up if you're not already on, go here: https://www.donotcall.gov/