They do these innocuous messages to build the numbers reputation before they start using it for spam. If enough people reply (even to tell them to stop) it makes the number look legitimate and the spam they eventually send is less likely to get blocked. If you get these your best bet is to report it as spam. Just a PSA to everyone.

[–] paris@lemmy.blahaj.zone 0 points 1 week ago (2 children)

I learned this the other day and someone mentioned that replying with just "STOP" flags the sender as spam to the telecom company.

[–] AFallingAnvil@lemmy.ca 14 points 1 week ago

That's common misinformation, there's no such thing for telecoms (otherwise a heated argument with a teenager could get you flagged as spam). The correct move is report as spam and move on.

[–] Swedneck@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 1 week ago

why would this work?

[–] starelfsc2@sh.itjust.works 36 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Scammer text message

[–] Quadrexium@sopuli.xyz 14 points 1 week ago

or wrong number

[–] iii@mander.xyz 11 points 1 week ago

Gazpacho every day does this to a person

[–] friendly_ghost@beehaw.org 9 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

Some enslaved person in Asia now has to continue this conversation with you (Source: No More Bets)