To think they've changed sim card?

[BlowOuttheCandles]

Hi,

I have received a WhatsApp message from an unrecognised mobile number saying "Hello." The number is connected to a person's name I don't know. I tried calling the number back 2 days later while withholding my number to I see if I recognise the voice. I have tried a few times different points in the day; the number goes to voicemail every time.
DH is adamant it is a scam. I don't think it is because the one going around is pretending to know the person eg "It's Mum/Dad lost my phone/card, borrowed this phone, please send me money etc." If this were wouldn't the number be active still.

I also think if this is a mistake the person wouldn't just write one word. We have toxic estranged relatives, and I'm worried they have changed sim card to contact under a false name. Maybe this is too far fetched but they've done some messed up stuff in the past.

Has anybody experienced anything like this before?

Sounds like a scam to me. I have had similar and just deleted and ignored

tried calling the number back 2 days later while withholding my number to I see if I recognise the voice. I have tried a few times different points in the day; the number goes to voicemail every time.

Just WHY??? If it it someone you know who has changed a SIM they will Whatsapp you again. I cannot imagine having either the headspace or the time to start phoning randomers. Jeezo.

Block the number and Ignore. There's a lot of cold callers out there.
If it's important they will contact you again.

Its a scam, i had one last week nobody in my contacts, either block or leave it as if it is someone genuinely trying to make contact they will call or message again and you can decide what to do from there, but honestly its a scam they randomly pick numbers then those that message back with who is this get the next line, its me mum or some such nonsense.

I would assume scam and that they want to know if you number is live.

Do scammers not have their number active though, how would they know my number is live if it's switched off? They've haven't called, just the message. The reason I have tried is because the estranged relatives cause a lot of anxiety, and are very toxic.

I think I saw your previous thread and the level of anciety it's giving you when nothing else happened is really concerning. Many said they had the same ot similar

I haven't had a previous thread on this?

Well in that case there is yet another example of random just "hello" on WhatsApp. I tjink it was week or two back

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4886581-text-message-at-115-am-saying-hello

Here. Loads of people get these all over the world

A lot of scams are computer generated now and they are trying to find active numbers. Just because they don't try to scam you immediately doesn't mean it's not a scam, sometimes they just sell your number on.

Either ignore it, delete it or block it.

Just block and move on. At the end of the day, even if it was yout estranged relative (which I highly ky doubt btw) they haven't tried to contact you again.

@Wanderingllama Thank you for attaching it, I can see why you would think it is linked. It is obviously the "in" scam going around at the moment. I have blocked and deleted.
Thanks for your help.

I had this about two weeks ago, I replied 'Hi' and they came back trying to get me to click on some link to a 'recruitment agency'. Blocked and deleted.