You’re staring at your phone. A message just popped up from an unknown number: "Hey, it’s me. This is my new number, you can delete the old one!" It sounds innocent. Helpful, even. You might even respond with a quick "Who is this?" or "Oh, hey! Got it."
That’s exactly what they want.
The this is my new number text scam isn't some high-tech hack involving complex code or backdoors into your operating system. It’s social engineering at its most basic and most effective. It relies on the fact that we’re busy, we’re polite, and we’re constantly switching devices. Honestly, it's the digital version of a stranger walking up to you and pretending they know you from high school just to get a foot in the door.
The psychology behind the "New Number" trick
Why does this work? Simple. It bypasses our natural defenses against "spam." When you get a text about a "unpaid toll" or a "delivery failure," your brain likely flags it as a scam immediately. But a text that claims to be a friend? That’s personal.
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Scammers use a tactic called "pig butchering" or "romance baiting," and this is often the opening line. They aren't always looking for your credit card number in the first thirty seconds. Sometimes, they just want to establish rapport. They want to become a "contact" in your phone so that two weeks from now, when they mention a "great crypto investment" or ask for a "temporary loan" because of an emergency, you don't question it. You think you're talking to a friend.
How the conversation usually goes
Usually, if you reply "Who is this?", they’ll give a common name like Dave, Sarah, or Mike. If you say "I don't know a Dave," they'll pivot. "Oh, I must have the wrong number! But you seem nice, maybe it was destiny?" It sounds ridiculous when you read it here, but in the flow of a busy Tuesday afternoon, people fall for it.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has seen a massive spike in these "impersonation" scams. In 2023 alone, consumers reported losing $2.7 billion to imposter scams. While many of those were "government" imposters, the "friend or family" variant is arguably more dangerous because it targets your emotions rather than your fear of the IRS.
Red flags that scream "This is a Scam"
You've got to be cynical. It sucks, but that's the world now. If you get a text from a "new number," there are specific signs that it’s a setup.
1. The "Delete the Old Number" Instruction
This is the biggest giveaway. A real friend might say "Hey, I got a new phone," but they rarely demand you delete their old contact info immediately. Scammers want the old number gone so you don't accidentally text the real person and find out the truth.
2. Overly Vague Language
"Hey, it's me." "How have you been?" "Long time no see." If they can't name you or provide a specific detail about your life that isn't on a public Facebook profile, it's a bot or a scammer in a call center halfway across the globe.
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3. International or VoIP Area Codes
Check the area code. If your friend lives in Chicago (312) and you get a "new number" text from a +44 (UK) or a +63 (Philippines) country code, something is wrong. Even if it's a US area code, many scammers use Google Voice or other VoIP services that can be generated in seconds.
4. The Pivot to WhatsApp or Telegram
Scammers love moving the conversation off SMS. Why? Because WhatsApp and Telegram have end-to-end encryption, making it harder for law enforcement or mobile carriers to track their activity. If someone "reconnecting" with you insists on moving to a different app within three messages, block them.
Real-world examples of the "New Number" pivot
Let's look at how this actually plays out in the wild. This isn't just about "wrong number" texts; it's about the long game.
The "Mummy/Daddy" Variant
In the UK and Australia, this scam became a literal epidemic. Parents would receive a text: "Hi Mum, I dropped my phone and it's broken. This is my temporary number." The scammer then waits for the parent to reply with a name—"Is that you, Chloe?"—and then says "Yes! I'm so stressed. I have a bill due today and I can't access my banking app on this phone. Can you pay it for me?"
It’s brutal. It preys on parental instinct.
The Business Impersonator
Sometimes this happens on LinkedIn or via professional SMS. You get a text from "The CEO" saying they have a new private number for "discreet tasks." Before you know it, you're being asked to buy $500 in Apple gift cards for a "client dinner" because the CEO is "stuck in a meeting."
What to do if you've already replied
Don't panic. If you just said "Who is this?", you're probably fine, but you've now been flagged as an "active" number. Expect more spam in the coming weeks. Your number is now on a list of people who actually check their texts.
If you’ve shared personal information or, worse, sent money, you need to act fast.
- Contact your bank immediately. If you used a credit card or a wire transfer, there is a tiny window where they might be able to freeze the transaction.
- Report the number to your carrier. On most iPhones and Androids, you can report a text as "Junk" or "Spam." This helps the carrier block that sender for everyone else.
- File a report with the IC3. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) tracks these trends. Your report might be the one that helps them link a specific group of scammers together.
How to verify a "New Number" without getting scammed
Kinda funny how we have to treat our friends like suspects now. But here is the safest way to handle this. If someone claims to be a friend with a new number, call the old number. If the old number is still active, your friend will pick up and say, "No, I didn't text you."
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If the old number is disconnected, ask the "new" number a question only they would know. Not something public. Don't ask "Where do I work?" because LinkedIn knows that. Ask something like, "What did we eat for lunch the last time we hung out?" or "What's my dog's middle name?"
If they get defensive or stop replying, you have your answer.
Why blocking isn't always enough
Scammers have thousands of numbers. Blocking one is like swatting a single mosquito in a swamp. You need to change how you interact with your phone. Honestly, the "Silence Unknown Senders" feature on iOS is a lifesaver. It sends any text or call from a number not in your contacts straight to a separate folder or voicemail. It means you might miss a legitimate call from your doctor’s office, sure, but it also means you won't be tempted by a "Hi Mum" text at 2:00 AM.
Actionable Next Steps to Protect Yourself
If you want to stop the this is my new number text scam from ruining your week, follow these specific steps right now:
- Audit your contact list. If you have "duplicate" contacts for people, call them and ask which one is current. Delete the old ones to avoid confusion later.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on everything. Not just your email—your WhatsApp, your Telegram, and your social media. If a scammer does manage to trick you into giving up a "verification code" (another common follow-up to the "new number" text), 2FA can be the final barrier that stops them from stealing your account.
- Never click links in these texts. Even if it looks like a link to a "photo" or a "location," it could be a phishing site designed to scrape your login credentials.
- Educate your less tech-savvy relatives. The "Hi Mum" version of this scam is devastating for seniors. Take five minutes to explain to your parents or grandparents that they should never send money based on a text message, even if it claims to be from you. Tell them to always call you on your "normal" number first.
- Use a secondary number for public sign-ups. If you’re putting your phone number on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or even restaurant loyalty programs, use a Google Voice number. Keep your primary "private" number for people you actually know. This reduces the chance of your number ending up in a scammer's database in the first place.
Stay skeptical. The moment a text message starts asking for a favor, a "save," or a "secret," it's time to hit the block button. No real friend is going to be offended that you double-checked their identity before engaging. If they are, they're probably not a very good friend anyway.