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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:
HypnoRuler · 17/03/2021 16:15

Probably a phishing scam. Block and ignore

Redglitter · 17/03/2021 16:16

I would call 101 and ask for advice on this

I absolutely despair at the advice on here at times. There is nothing sinister or criminal about what's happened. It sounds like a wrong number. Its absolutely nothing worth wasting Police time on. Calling 101 seems to be some peoples answer to everything 😡 No wonder people with genuine calls struggle to get through

I can pretty much guarantee the advice given won't be ground breaking. It'll be block the number, something easily worked out without tying up a 101 line.

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

@Seriouslymole actually so have I! Honestly, I wouldn't normally think a thing of it but I can't seem to articulate here why I was worried

But this thread has calmed me down

OP posts:
Rollercoaster1920 · 17/03/2021 16:18

It might be a scam - the phone number might be a premium one so when you call it is costs you money. Or one of those godawful Indian call centres that either try to sell you stuff or try to harvest more personal information (I get a call a day from these arseholes from various UK land and mobile numbers).

All the same response though. Block and get on with your life.

PumpkinPieAlibi · 17/03/2021 16:18

@Whatsappmessage

I think it would also be obvious from my own What's App profile picture that I am not the intended recipient
Not necessarily. There's a setting on WhatsApp where people cannot see your picture unless they are a contact of yours, even if they have your details as a contact in their phone.
EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall · 17/03/2021 16:19

I sent pics in my underwear to what I thought was my personal trainer. It wasn't! I wish they'd told me I'd got the wrong number 😬

Zancah · 17/03/2021 16:19

There's a setting on WhatsApp where people cannot see your picture unless they are a contact of yours, even if they have your details as a contact in their phone.

Yes this is true, I have all of my whatsapp security set to contacts only.

thenightsky · 17/03/2021 16:21

who-called.co.uk/

I always look up numbers I don't recognise on the above link.

PeterPomegranate · 17/03/2021 16:23

I had a text recently on my work phone from someone hoping I’ve had my covid jab and that we’ll be able to get away to Spain soon. Thought it was mysterious.

Later I called a colleague I’d never met before and he greeted me enthusiastically with a man’s name (I’m not a man) and it turned out I’ve been given the same number as someone who retired.

Could be something like that?

cerseii · 17/03/2021 16:26

Why would this scare you though? All you needed to do was send “wrong number” then block him, it’s doubtful he would have then rung you. Remember, he likely thought you were his sister in law or colleague or whoever so was trying to get in touch with them rather than you. Telling him he had the wrong number would have just clarified the situation immediately.

Maybe the guy isn’t a native English speaker either

mam0918 · 17/03/2021 16:29

classic wrong number... I honestly can see how anyone would think anymore of it.

Original poster
Whatsappmessage · 17/03/2021 16:29

I just checked and my What's App profile pic is visible to everyone, although thanks for mentioning that as I'll change it to contacts only

It just seems odd, it did sound like overseas or through some sort of technology but it's a UK phone number. It wasn't a hesitant hello from someone surprised by the answer but a strange one

The message was odd as was adding the number in message that the message was already from

Obviously I won't call the police or anything and thank you for making me realise I'm being silly, although I'm still fairly sure it's not a wrong number

OP posts:
ErickBroch · 17/03/2021 16:30

Sounds like the guy isn't a native English speaker? I have had this before and was scared due to stalking in my past, but I literally said 'you've got the wrong number' and that was it Grin

IEat · 17/03/2021 16:30

Numbers are recycled.

I had a woman call me 18 times between 1am and 1.54am a few months ago all because she didn’t believe I wasn’t called Jane! I’m not. No way would I go to the police. Block and move on.

emmathedilemma · 17/03/2021 16:31

So let's say someone sent this man a card with a message in that included their mobile number. The man is pleased to receive it and to be reunited with his long lost friend. So he sends a whatsapp message to the number in the card, along with his number so they have it, and his photo so they know who is sending the message (as they obviously don't have it or they wouldn't have included theirs in a card). But by accident he enters one of the numbers wrongly, or the person who wrote it in the card wrote it down wrongly, and by coincidence the wrong number happens to be yours......
Bear in mind that not everyone speaks English as a first language or is that competent in the use of technology.

Gee29 · 17/03/2021 16:31

Wrong number for sure

mam0918 · 17/03/2021 16:31

@mam0918

classic wrong number... I honestly can see how anyone would think anymore of it.
*can't
movinghousetoday · 17/03/2021 16:31

@ChonkyChook

999 Now.

What?!?

Original poster
Whatsappmessage · 17/03/2021 16:33

I'm feeling so bad now I might unblock the guy and let him know he probably has a wrong number just in case it's not a scam! Don't want him to think some long lost friend or relative has blocked him

OP posts:
hilariousnamehere · 17/03/2021 16:34

OP you can log it online with Action Fraud - I've had a few which feel more scammy than spammy and their online form is easy!

emmathedilemma · 17/03/2021 16:35

@Whatsappmessage

I'm feeling so bad now I might unblock the guy and let him know he probably has a wrong number just in case it's not a scam! Don't want him to think some long lost friend or relative has blocked him
I think that would be a very nice idea!
SilverBirchWithout · 17/03/2021 16:36

They sound as if they may be a bit elderly, and not quite used to using whatsapp. When my elderly FIL phoned he always sounded a bit confused when I answered the phone rather than DH!

mam0918 · 17/03/2021 16:37

@IEat

Numbers are recycled.

I had a woman call me 18 times between 1am and 1.54am a few months ago all because she didn’t believe I wasn’t called Jane! I’m not. No way would I go to the police. Block and move on.

I had this before, a guy called me like 20 times in 2 hours

I answered and he just started talking instantly with 'Robbie, where are you mate we been waiting an hour' I told him I wasnt his mate he appologised (clearly a wrong number)

He then phoned back seconds later and I answered again and explained it was still the same number and I still wasnt his mate

The 3rd time I tried to explain phoning the exact same number again and again wont suddenly get him his mate given that its the wrong number.

Then I stopped answering, to be honest he just sounded drunk and not very bright... he got the message eventually but I do wonder if his mate ever did pick him up from the pub though lol.

Hadjab · 17/03/2021 16:37

@Whatsappmessage

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!

It just gets better 😂
Mylovelyhorsee · 17/03/2021 16:40

Not sure why you’re scared?