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Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Dodgy text message on dh’s phone

300 replies

Ithinktherefore · 27/04/2023 18:52

Just found a dodgy message on my dh’s phone from an unknown number.

“Hi babe I’m going to be back down tomorrow for the day.”

What do you make of it? Is there a way of tracking it? An app or something?

I don’t think I can face ringing it…

Is he having an affair? What do I do tomorrow? Help!!!

OP posts:
Callyem · 27/04/2023 21:30

Hide your whats app pic and send a generic message, see if you get a reply. Also, if you then delete the number but keep the message string, you can see whatever they have saved in place of a name.

Fairylights7 · 27/04/2023 21:30

Hope it’s innocent OP

Tiredmummaoftwo · 27/04/2023 21:32

Ask to use his phone and see if he freaks out.

fantasyhomesbythesea · 27/04/2023 21:33

OldFan · 27/04/2023 21:27

I think scams don't tend to say that the person is coming down, especially on X day. It's too concrete, the person would find out within a few days that it was a scam, because the person wouldn't come down. The scam will have gone on for a whole one day and one message, which isn't long enough to built up a relationship which would lead to the victim making allowances for the scammer not turning up.

A scam would be more likely to say a vaguer 'I would love to meet you' or something.

Ahhh yes you are right @OldFan I'm not sure now 😕

IAteAllTheTomatoes · 27/04/2023 21:34

VisionsOfSplendour · 27/04/2023 21:20

What do you mean by 5 between the prefix and the number?

Sorry, maybe it's different in the UK but in Ireland if a mobile number is 087 1234567,if you dial 087 5 1234567 it ring you straight to voicemail without ringing.

Someone might post the UK version.

Opentooffers · 27/04/2023 21:34

I'd take the day off work - call in sick, you won't of slept anyway so better not to go in. Then pretend to leave as normal, but keep a close eye on the house and his whereabouts for the day.

Iltakethat · 27/04/2023 21:35

Also, scam messages tend to be be generic like "hi babe", "hi there, how are you?". Not "il be back down tomorrow" - that's too specific.

Its either been sent to his phone in error or he's up to no good.

AlloPeciaMam · 27/04/2023 21:38

starynight63 · 27/04/2023 18:57

Save the number in your phone as 'unknown' or something, then load WhatsApp and go to message them.. will show a profile picture & maybe name!!
I hope it's an error 😫

You’ve done this before, haven’t you?

VisionsOfSplendour · 27/04/2023 21:41

IAteAllTheTomatoes · 27/04/2023 21:34

Sorry, maybe it's different in the UK but in Ireland if a mobile number is 087 1234567,if you dial 087 5 1234567 it ring you straight to voicemail without ringing.

Someone might post the UK version.

No, I've never heard of such a thing, we don't have prefixes here, so can leave messages or hack into them? I can't work out what happens

VisionsOfSplendour · 27/04/2023 21:43

AlloPeciaMam · 27/04/2023 21:38

You’ve done this before, haven’t you?

Standatd Mn advice in these types of situation. 😀(and other places too, I'm sure posters here are the the only ones who know this)

NortieTortie · 27/04/2023 21:47

Ask him to ring/text the number in front of you. He refuses = you know. He doesn't = you know. Win/win.

CurlewKate · 27/04/2023 21:49

@OldFan "If he is cheating though, he's not going to admit it, and he'll delete more stuff in future so OP will carry on in a marriage where she's potentially being betrayed."

But if she doesn't she's in a marriage with no trust.

Wowwhatasunset · 27/04/2023 21:50

Hope it’s all innocent, op

Deanie02 · 27/04/2023 21:53

Hope its an error check if he replied when he asleep and see if he replies or if he deleted the message. There is an app that you can download that allows you to change your number to any number. I would use that and text your hubby as the other number using his name and see if he responds. My son and his friends used to use it to prank each other.

Iltakethat · 27/04/2023 21:56

NortieTortie · 27/04/2023 21:47

Ask him to ring/text the number in front of you. He refuses = you know. He doesn't = you know. Win/win.

Genius!

BadNomad · 27/04/2023 21:57

If it is a scam, they now have your number and you'll probably start receiving messages.

Kaiserchief · 27/04/2023 21:58

Am I the only person thinking it’s probably just a wrong number?! Someone random texted me the other week asking if I’d help him fit a kitchen! 🤣

Jenasaurus · 27/04/2023 21:58

BadNomad · 27/04/2023 21:57

If it is a scam, they now have your number and you'll probably start receiving messages.

Even though Op withheld her number

Cosycover · 27/04/2023 21:59

Can you get someone to call the number without withholding their number?

Don't ask him. You need to dig more first.

Opplesandbononos · 27/04/2023 21:59

Put the phone number in the facebook search bar. If their number is linked on facebook you should het the profile pop up

MelloYellow · 27/04/2023 22:03

save the number to your phone as a random name

download what’s app and see if there’s a picture or a name in the info
if a picture save it and reverse google image search.
also worth googling the number.

Pollydollydoodle · 27/04/2023 22:05

There's lots of advice on here already about digging and getting your evidence etc and I agree, but what I really want to say is I really hope you are ok OP, this must be awful for you not knowing and thinking the worst x

Backtoblack1 · 27/04/2023 22:06

Pretend you’re going to work then clock the house and his movements all day

Zooeyzebra · 27/04/2023 22:09

It’s a scam. It looks like a wrong number, the recipient responds with that. They come back with a silly me flirty message. Receiver then responds again and they know they have someone open to engaging. It’s all happening en mass from a call centre somewhere. Totally frightening stuff

AllOfThemWitches · 27/04/2023 22:11

Good god just bloody ask.

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