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Original poster

Bit scared by What's App message I received

136 replies

Whatsappmessage · 17/03/2021 15:53

It's from a number I don't know, profile pic I don't recognise of just a man's face and says

"Thanks you for a card"

Then a message with the mobile number that has sent the message.

I blocked the number and didn't think much of it earlier as busy but since had a missed call from the number, (I didn't realise) and then picked up a call just now as expecting an important call which could have come from a mobile number. There was a delay and then the voice said "hello" and I realised which number it was so hung up and blocked.

It definitely feels like something dodgy and not just mistaken identity, I'm used to the odd spam call or text and don't think anything of it but this one has really weirded me out for some reason - has anyone had the same?

OP posts:
Honeyroar · 17/03/2021 16:04

What do you mean it’s not a wrong number?? Of course it is! Have you replied wrong number before you blocked them? It’s not going to cost you anything to say it’s not your parcel, or whatever. Then forget about it.

FlyingBurrito · 17/03/2021 16:04

@Whatsappmessage

Sorry, you're right, I don't know. It just doesn't seem like a wrong number, compared to times I have had messages or calls that were wrong number!
You're gonna need to explain what a wrong number seems like Grin , you said the man only said hello
PennyRoyal · 17/03/2021 16:04

Every other call I get is spam, automated caller, wrong number etc.

Block. Put it out of your mind. Relax Daffodil

Ilovemaisie · 17/03/2021 16:04

What do you mean it's 'not a wrong number' ? How do you know? It could be completely innocent and something like the person has called 1234 instead of 1237 because someone wrote down the 7 a bit weird and it looks like a 4.
Just text a "sorry but I think you have the wrong number".

Zancah · 17/03/2021 16:05

@Whatsappmessage

It's not a wrong number, the picture and voice unnerved me a bit although I can't explain why

Unless they have referred to you by name, It really could be a wrong number.
Profile pic means nothing, just that it's even more probably a real person who's made a genuine mistake.
It's probably just a Joe Blogs who's trying to thank someone for a card they've received and then they've tried to ring them and got some irate paranoid person instead of aunt Jackie cos the number is one digit different.

Crockof · 17/03/2021 16:05

Well I thought the 999 now comment was v funny. I mean what an overreaction, they obviously have the wrong no.

Roussette · 17/03/2021 16:05

How can a wrong number not seem like a wrong number? Shock

Original poster
Whatsappmessage · 17/03/2021 16:06

Normally someone thanking for a card would say "thank you for the card" not "thanks you for a card", and normally someone messaging wouldn't send a message with their own number as there is no need, their number is included with their original message

When I answered there was a strange delay, and the voice was not a friendly hello like you were saying hello to a friend

OP posts:
Rainbowshine · 17/03/2021 16:07

I had someone ring me 5 times over a weekend day thinking he was calling Rachel, who he’d met in a nightclub on Friday night (pre Covid). I’m not Rachel. I told him each time he must have the wrong number. He called a sixth time. I blocked the number. I reckon Rachel gave him a number but changed a digit as she wasn’t interested or it got passed on incorrectly. I sometimes wonder if he ever got in touch with her as he was clearly -far too- keen.

Just block the number.

WalkingMeAway · 17/03/2021 16:07

Unless there’s some back story about a stalker I can’t see how this would be at all scary?!

It’s most likely a wrong number. Or someone trying a scam. Just block the number and move on.

I’m literally wouldn’t give this a second thought

Original poster
Whatsappmessage · 17/03/2021 16:07

This thread is making me realise I'm being a bit ridiculous though, so thank you!

The profile picture is a selfie of a serious faced man in a blank room, not that there's anything wrong with that!

OP posts:
bonfireheart · 17/03/2021 16:07

Please don't even call 101. The call handlers are super busy and you'll just hold up the lines for someone who needs real help.

Feraltomcat · 17/03/2021 16:08

When I answered there was a strange delay, and the voice was not a friendly hello like you were saying hello to a friend

They were probably just confused that you weren't the person they were expecting

skeggycaggy · 17/03/2021 16:08

Did you know numbers get reassigned too? I messaged an old boyfriend to say sorry his dad had passed away, & it’s no longer his number. I knew he had lived overseas for a few years so presumably gave up his U.K. contract then, & got a new number when he got back. So some random bloke got my heartfelt message about my ex’s dad Blush

Original poster
Whatsappmessage · 17/03/2021 16:08

Of course I won't call 101, I just wondered if the message matched a known scam

OP posts:
Original poster
Whatsappmessage · 17/03/2021 16:09

I think it would also be obvious from my own What's App profile picture that I am not the intended recipient

OP posts:
HeartsAndClubs · 17/03/2021 16:09

Strange delay most likely means it’s a scam call of some kind.

But in reference to wrong numbers, my eXH’s phone number must previously have belonged to a famous celebrity. He was always getting calls and texts from this person, including one from someone saying how his wife had left him and how he was stuck in another country in loads of debt and that if only this person could see fit to lend him a couple of hundred grand then perhaps he would be able to save him from committing suicide. Hmm

These things happen.

But tbh your call/message sounds like some kind of scam.

CtrlU · 17/03/2021 16:10

Personally I would tell him where to f*ck off too and block him

Do you have a partner who could pick up next time he tries to call and tell him to stick his card where the sun don’t shine!?!

HeartsAndClubs · 17/03/2021 16:11

calls and texts for* this person.

raaraayou · 17/03/2021 16:11

Can you unblock him and find out what's going on so you can update us please?

I'm invested now!!

Cavagirl · 17/03/2021 16:12

Have you not googled the number?

Erictheavocado · 17/03/2021 16:13

A couple of years ago I got a strange text from an unknown number, something along the libes of 'Hi, it's Dave from do you want to link up'. I didn't respond as I hadn't been to any nightclub in years (had just celebrated 30+ wedding anniversary). Next thing, I got a call from 'Dave'. Took me a while to persuade him he hadn't met me at any nightclub. Didn't believe me at forst because apparently I had put my number in his phone! Clearly, whoever he had met had given him a fake number. Maybe something similar happened here?

Original poster
Whatsappmessage · 17/03/2021 16:13

Maybe I should! I think my number is reassigned actually, but I've not had any calls for it's previous owner for about five years.

On the odd occasion it's happened I've engaged with wrong numbers quite happily and once struck up quite a funny back and forth

But this one has unnerved me and I don't know why! I think it's probably just a run of the mill scam

OP posts:
Original poster
Whatsappmessage · 17/03/2021 16:14

@Cavagirl yes, nothing comes up

OP posts:
Seriouslymole · 17/03/2021 16:14

With the strange delay and the misuse of English, I'd say it was someone from overseas who has a wrong number.

I sent various pictures and messages to someone before they replied and said "I think you have the wrong number". I'm glad they didn't call the police!