📢 “Can You Send Me Your Phone Number?”


— When a Friend’s Message Is Actually a Scam in Disguise
Let’s get one thing straight — when someone you know and trust messages you out of the blue asking for your phone number, and then tells you that you’ve won something from eMAG because it’s their 24th anniversary, they’re not trying to give you a prize...
They’ve probably been hacked, and now you’re the next target.
Yes, moms, dads, uncles, teenagers, and everyone in between — this one's for all of us who think “But it was my friend who sent it!”
How the Scam Starts (And Why It’s So Sneaky)
You're making coffee, scrolling Messenger, when suddenly you get a message from your friend. You know them. You've talked to them. They even liked your cat photo last week. And now they say:
“Hey, can you send me your phone number?”
You think, “Sure! That’s harmless.”
Then BAM — a second message:
“Congratulations! You’ve won eMAG’s 24th Jubilee Giveaway! Just send your bank details or click this link to claim your prize!”
At first, you think, Wow, maybe I really did win something!
❌ But no, my friend. This is not your lucky day. This is a scam wearing your friend’s face like a Halloween mask.
What’s Really Happening?
Your friend’s account got compromised — maybe they clicked the wrong link, and now their Messenger is being used to spread the scam.
The scammer is using your friend’s name and profile to build trust.
When you respond, you may:
Share your phone number, which can get used for shady premium SMS charges.
Be tricked into clicking a fake link that installs malware.
Hand over bank or personal data, thinking it’s for a real giveaway.
Get blocked from your Facebook and Messenger account and chats.
End up with your own Messenger account sending the same creepy messages to your contacts.
Yes, it spreads faster than bad gossip at a family BBQ.
What You Should Do (Other Than Yell “OH NO” at Your Phone)
1. Pause Before Replying — Even If It’s a Friend
Ask yourself: Would this friend really message me like this?
Better yet, call or text them outside Messenger to check.
“I got a weird message from you — was it really you?”
2. Do Not Click Any Links
Seriously, don’t tap anything that says “Claim your prize.”
3. Change Your Passwords
Especially your Facebook and Messenger passwords. Make it strong. No more “password123” or “1234“.
4. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
That’s the digital equivalent of putting three locks on the door and a chair under the knob — just in case. You can find that in the Facebook settings.
5. Warn Others
Post this on your timeline or story:
⚠️ My Facebook account might’ve been compromised. If you got a message from me asking for your phone number or offering some giveaway prize, please don’t click anything and ignore it! I’ve taken action to secure my account.
6. Update Messenger
Sometimes you’ll see messages like “This message is not available on this app version.” That can be related to old versions of the app — but it can also mean a corrupted or suspicious message. Either way, keep your apps updated.
It’s confusing when it looks like your friend is writing to you. But remember: scammers rely on that trust.
This scam doesn’t come from a stranger named “ClickNow989.”
It comes from your old classmate. Your cousin. Even your pastor.
So let’s help each other out.
Stay skeptical.
Share warnings.
Keep those digital doors locked.
! And for heaven’s sake, don’t send your bank info to anyone who says you’ve “won something.”
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