Most of us have probably received a text from someone we don't know at one point. Sometimes, the "Oops, wrong number" might be an attempt to scam you, as in February 2025, Americans received 19.2 billion spam texts. But if a person really got the wrong number, some seriously hilarious banter might unfold.
The community r/wrongnumber collects the most amusing cases of mistaken identity through texting. While some people decide to troll those who text them by accident, others decide to engage, and some wholesome, awkward, or hilarious exchanges might follow. So, scroll down and check out our newest collection from the subreddit below!
More info: Reddit
#1 This Didn't Make Me Cry, It Made You Cry
Image credits: TheRedditBro-123
#2 Bart Simpson Gets A Text From Lisa
Image credits: grawrant
#3 Not Mine, But Hilarious
Image credits: Wooden_Address_3053
All it takes is a slip of the finger, you put in the wrong number and bam, the text you meant for your husband ends up in a stranger's inbox. And while accidental texts can be embarrassing, they can also be a pretty effective strategy when you want to reconnect, apologize, or just prank someone.
The art of the fake accidental text was explored pretty well in an episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm. You address a text to the person who did the recipient wrong and badmouth them to win them over, but "accidentally" send it to the person you want to apologize to. But be warned: just because it worked for Larry David, doesn't mean it'll work for you.
#4 Got This Number And Feel So Bad For This Person
Image credits: Cyb3ertur1es
#5 This "Wrong Number" Clarification:
Image credits: JazzyJasmineeeee
#6 Help Me
Image credits: OrganizationJumpy213
However, if you do decide to employ the fake accidental text tactic, be aware that the receiver can often see through the ploy. In his unofficial experiment for the CBC, Clifton Mark found that one of the most popular ways to get someone's attention with an accidental text is to send out a blank text. He tried it out himself with someone he hadn't spoken to for a few weeks, and it worked – they responded and it got the conversation going.
Mark writes that he found out three things from his "research" on online message boards about accidental texting. First, that it's pretty common. Men and women do it, and it's mostly a tool to manipulate romantic partners or exes. Aside from blank texts, people also imply that they're up to something more interesting, like, "Yeah, that was so crazy last night!" or want to invoke jealousy: "Thanks for a lovely night. Miss you already. xx"
#7 Evelyn
Image credits: No_Acanthaceae_9641
#8 Girl Keeps Texting Me And Saying I'm Someone She Knows, No Matter How Many Times I Tell Her That I'm Not Them
Image credits: methewhenthewas
#9 Short And Sweet
Image credits: Basic-Schedule-7284
Yet, unsurprisingly, the third thing that Mark learned from his experiment was that people very often detect fake accidental texts. Just like lying in real life, 'accidental' texts have one weakness: they're the hardest to pull off when we want to do it the most.
"People are most likely to see through 'accidental' texts when they are used for their most common purpose (romantic manipulation) and when they yield the most benefit (by leading the target to a specific conclusion)," Mark wrote.
#10
Context: my friend and I decided to give each other random names and the one I decided to make myself was god... And when I got that first message, I thought it was her... At least it felt good to make her feel better.
Image credits: bl00dc4ke
#11 Finally Have A Story To Share
Image credits: ExerciseGullible2763
#12 Almost Scored A $30k Bottle Of Whiskey Lmao
Image credits: ghosty88
Dating experts at Love Panky write that the key to a good 'accidental' text is to not overdo it. Then it doesn't seem as suspicious. When you want to revive a conversation with a romantic prospect, text them something like "Do you really think so?", "I can't believe they did that", or "What are the chances?!", or "Of course, I WILL do that tomorrow, I promise!"
#13 Oksana Isn’t The Smartest Scammer
Image credits: Sumijinn
#14 Can’t Make It To The BBQ
Image credits: ClientNo324
#15 This Dude Was Unhinged
Image credits: nada_accomplished
They also claim that timing for good 'accidental' texts matters. Late-night texts just read as cliche booty calls, so, the best time to send an "Oops, wrong number" text is in the early evening or during the day. If the 'accidental' text doesn't work, it's better not to push it: knowing when to walk away is also a good skill to have.
#16 This Guy Really Still Wanted To Meet This Woman, Even After The Second Reply
Image credits: kabobak
#17 They Have Yet To Reply
Image credits: [deleted]
#18 My Boyfriend Confused My Number For His Best Friend’s, Now I Learned He Was A Vendetta With The Moon
Image credits: BriarRose147
Unfortunately, not all accidental texts are flirty attempts at reconnecting. Scammers use this tactic more often than we realize. That's why not responding to such a text from a stranger is the best strategy. In 2023, the FBI even issued a warning to build awareness about "Oops, wrong number!" scams.
#19 What Cult Is This?
Image credits: drewdog39
#20 What In The F**k…
Image credits: NTE223
#21 I Love Wrong Number Texts
Image credits: grawrant
The deputy district attorney in charge of the high technology crimes unit in Santa Clara County, California Erin West told NBC News that 'accidental' scam messages have become the most common way to rope people into crypto scams.
"Some are like, 'Hey, can I make an appointment for my dog at your salon?' They're broadening the way they will entrance you into the same scam. They are all scams, and I think they are all crypto-investment scams."
#22 Third Year In A Row, I Am Become Debbie
Image credits: luffychan13
#23 Beware The Onion Man
Image credits: TurribleTriforce
#24 Got A Text From A Random Old Man
Image credits: j3llyl3m0n
How can people protect themselves against "accidental" text scams? The best strategy is to not respond, block and report, and be skeptical of any investment opportunities. Experts advise people to be cautious of what information they share about themselves online, especially on social media. They also recommend using two-factor authentication for maximum security.
#25 To My Boss At A New Job Instead Of My Husband. Could Have Been Worse! Lucky He's Cool
Image credits: Butteryouyup
#26 Guys I Think I Broke Him…
Image credits: anonobodey
#27 First Wrong Number Incident I’ve Gotten
Image credits: OliveTreesWood
Although it might sound funny to strike up a conversation with a stranger in theory, it's always to be safe than sorry. "Once they receive a response, scammers will try to strike up innocent conversation to establish a friendship," the experts at the Merrimack County Savings Bank write. "This may go on for weeks or even months before the scammer uses this bond to lure you into their schemes, such as cryptocurrency investment scams."
#28 I’m Just Looking Out For Him
Image credits: Mangagirll
#29 Help Why Did This Freak Me Out So Much
Image credits: xxAsteroidzxx
#30 The Number Was Not Right
Image credits: That1girl42
How many of you, Pandas, have received an "Oops, wrong number" text? Share with us your experiences, even if it was just an unsuccessful attempt to scam you. If you'd like to see more hilarious conversations similar to this list, check out our previous articles on the r/wrongnumber subreddit here, here, and here!
