To answer one of those ”Hi Mum, this is my new phone number” texts?

[PuzzledObserver]

I didn’t actually do it - I blocked the number. I know for fact it is not from my child on the grounds that I don’t have any.

But it crossed my mind to reply with “OMG! Hope you’re OK! Is that Johnboy, or Tracey?”

And then mess with them.

My other thought was to reply with “Which of my children are you?” As they would then have to supply a name. Which would probably indicate to them that they’d been rumbled. Much more fun the first way.

Anyone done this?

I admit this isn’t really an AIBU, so I’ve removed the poll. But this struck me as the kind of forum where people might enjoy kicking this idea around.

I wouldn't, as it confirms to them that the number is an active number and you might then get inundated with more spam.

No, I would not waste my time. They will just try elsewhere, anyway.

I almost fell for one of those, thinking it was my dd2 who was upstairs (she sometimes messages me if we're both at home lol). I asked her if she wanted to watch tv with me! They replied 'yes'. I then asked which daughter it was & they disappeared. I'm still waiting for them to come & watch tv with me ...

My DH nearly fell for that. He said my DD had texted asking him for money. I said not in a million years would she ask him for ££. She wouldn't hesitate to ask me though.

I know it's not mine when these daft texts come through, because they would never say 'hello mum' it would be 'hello mom.' (Living in the Midlands here.)

ds once texted me as he was in trouble........but called me Dad.
Im his mum lol
oh and he got a new phone the other week.......no he didn't

You’re just confirming your number is active and you’re prepared to engage. Not something I would bother doing. I never understand the mindset of ‘messing’ with them either. Who gets that bored?!

I'd seen details of this scam on TV so knew about it but when I received one all of my kids were home so I might have just twigged it!

There’s an interesting Reddit where people reply to these scams. Some of quite good reads.

I think scambaiting is better enjoyed as a spectator sport. There are several YouTube channels that specialize in this kind of thing, my favourite is a guy rather wonderfully called Atomic Shrimp (he covers a range of topics including foraging and weird cooking, but there’s a whole e-mail scambaiting series too).

I blocked the number when I got one. But was tempted to reply and point out that it must be a fucking miracle as I'm infertile and have no children.

You'll just get your number onto an idiot list, I'm afraid. Better to delete.

I always respond. I strung one along for a few days recently but they’re surprisingly hard to reel in because they send out so many and are probably good at spotting who will fall for it. I need to sharpen up my faux naivety

My other half gets so many phone calls, drives me nuts. But he likes them when in the mood.
He once told a sales/scammer that he was dead and speaking beyond the grave. Scammer didn't care, just carried on.

But, by answering, the number is confirmed as real. On the very rare occasion I get one I don't answer and block...

You can report it officially by forwarding it to 7726

I once got a message from an unknown number with a name attached thought it was a genuine message ( name matched my new friend who I didn’t have the number for and was expecting them to message me) and messaged them back a massive woe is me rant about loads of shit. They messaged back’ I’m sure you’ll work it out Stacey, stay positive’ and that was that.😂 they clearly couldn’t be arsed with me. Also had one from a (scam) delivery company and did actually engage with them , which was really enjoyable tbh. My friend however git really stroppy with someone and received about 800 emails in the space of an hour . So I’d be careful.

My dad unfortunately fell for one of those scams. It was surprisingly clever how it all panned out. Fortunately he got his money back from the bank somehow. Good idea to remind older relatives not to fall for them, and to always check with you by speaking to you before sending any money over.

He isn't an idiot but is nearly 80 and I guess doesn't see people talking about scams on social media.

This^^^

Loads of people think they’re being clever/funny by doing this with scammers, but it achieves nothing really except wasting your time and confirming to the scammer that your number is active.

No. They are scams.

I had a friend message me to say they suspected I'd been cloned & someone was asking for money.
I assured them it wasn't me & told them to ask where the £50,000 I owed them was & to be really arsey.
Then I got other folk in on it - Someone out there thinks I owe 5 different people £50,000

You’re right, of course.

I can't fathom the evil of someone coming up with that type of scam though. I got one phrased similar to DS style saying he was texting from another phone. I almost fell for it. I wish there was some way to waste their time and piss them off just for the hell of it.

Thank you for that.