Washington County, WI – Residents are being urged to stay alert after the Washington County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning today about a growing text message scam known as the “wrong number” scam.
According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, scammers often send random text messages such as, “Hey, is this [wrong name]?” or “Did we still meet today?” The goal is to prompt a reply — even a simple correction — which confirms that the phone number is active.
Once a victim responds, scammers may attempt to build trust over days or even weeks by engaging in friendly or romantic conversation. Authorities say these interactions often escalate into requests for money, personal information, or pressure to invest in cryptocurrency or other fake opportunities.
Investigators warn that scammers frequently try to move conversations to encrypted messaging platforms such as Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal, or WeChat. Links sent during these exchanges may lead to fake websites or fraudulent investment platforms designed to steal financial information.
The Sheriff’s Office says red flags include unsolicited texts from unknown numbers, vague references to meetings or deliveries, quick shifts to personal conversations, and any discussion involving crypto, investing, or guaranteed returns. Requests for screenshots, links, or sensitive personal or banking details are also major warning signs.
Officials stress that residents should not reply to these messages — even to say “wrong number.” Instead, they recommend blocking the number, reporting it as spam within your messaging app, and reporting the incident to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 262-335-4411. Residents should never click links or share personal information with unknown contacts.
Authorities encourage residents to share the warning with friends and family, especially those who may be more vulnerable to scams.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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