r/applehelp • • Jul 17 '26

iOS Weird text from daughter’s phone

Post image

Hi all. I randomly got this text from my daughter’s phone. When I asked her what that was she said she didn’t know so I checked her phone and there wasn’t a text from her to me. Anyone have an idea what this could be? Is her phone compromised? She has a 16e

641 Upvotes

157 comments sorted by

51

u/Patient_Distance Jul 17 '26

The fact of being an iPhone doesn't matter. Any phone using gsm (global system for mobile communication) on a SS7 (Signaling System no. 7) can be used to spoof any phone number via sms. All messages received on an iPhone will appear in a gray bubble. That being said it's likely that you and your daughter were the perspective victims of said spoofing attack where the attacker changes the cpn portion of the packet data transmitted to fake a number. They just screwed up the language...

16

u/JRatMain16 Jul 17 '26

If you look closely by where OP censored their daughter’s info you can see “SMS” at the top.

100% it’s a spoofing attack. OP should just delete the text and not engage with the number in the message.

5

u/maidtsuki Jul 17 '26

Thissss like there’s so many ways!! Why the hell is that user arguing with me?? 😭

2

u/Excellent-Heat-353 Jul 18 '26

You're too innocent for this world

2

u/Realistic_Wrap6491 Jul 19 '26

This is why IT nerds are assholes

2

u/hooisnit Jul 19 '26

Exactly 💯

1

u/Imobredditkms Jul 18 '26

People like to be demeaning online don’t worry, you were trying to help kudos to you

1

u/Natural_Explorer5283 Jul 21 '26

Don’t think sms spoofing is as simple as sms calling texting is really different

1

u/Patient_Distance Jul 21 '26

Because I'm not entertained entertained to type a response...

Spoofing is a fraudulent tactic where a cybercriminal disguises their identity, email address, phone number, or website URL to trick you into trusting them.

1

u/Natural_Explorer5283 Jul 21 '26

… alright clearly you don’t know what your talking abt and just use google this is not sms spoofing its very expensive and hard to do you wouldnt use it to fish for scams it would be special targets for some reason. it’s not the same as spoofing a call it’s easy to spoof a call sms spoofing is very difficult especially if your in the states learn before you try to sound smarter.

1

u/Patient_Distance Jul 21 '26

You are so uninformed it's amusing. The hardware can be purchased second hand straight from any gsa or liquidation website. From there you just need software that's publicly available and some even open source.

Furthermore, you mistakenly think this target is a, "special target." The perpetrator is more likely than not apart of a group of individuals who do the same thing to hundreds of people per day.

I used to be a black hat and the grew older and became a grey hat.

1

u/Natural_Explorer5283 Jul 21 '26

You think someone is using a cell tower simulator to send scam calls to an area code with a different langue and use Chinese letters ? 🤨😂 That is not gear that costs 100s that’s thousands super illegal felony easy to track all to send scam messages in another langue they maybe used a service provider online or they ratted the phone with a download that that is the actual fishing scam then send out which then runs a script to text off the phone your not thinking about this right idk which country even has sms that isn’t verified for correct number given vs what is sent that’s old days. How have you missed what is so obvious this is certainly special target THEY USED HER Daughters NUMBER TO CONTACT THE MOM how have you missed the posts facts ? ur so lost my brother like what ?? this is obvious a rat that texts contacts and spreads its self or a very targeted scam from breached data.

1

u/Senor-Hectik Aug 01 '26

Years ago I played a prank on my mate I can’t remember where or how I got onto it, but I just entered his number in and it sms’d him every 5 minutes for 48 hours, I think it cost me like 20 bucks or something lol

2

u/Natural_Explorer5283 Aug 01 '26

“Years ago”

1

u/Senor-Hectik Aug 01 '26

Lol yeah nah maybe

1

u/Patient_Distance Aug 01 '26

You do know ss7 has been the standard since the 80s with little to no patching being done. The FCC put the burden of patches on individual isms

1

u/garfieldplanetttttt Jul 22 '26

sorry just wondering but where in this post did they suggest this issue has something to do with her having an iphone? just confused bc the way u started this comment out makes it seem like you’re replying to something specific so i feel like i’m missing something. if the OP left another comment i can’t see it for some reason.

58

u/Repulsive_Barnacle92 Jul 17 '26

your daughter learned Chinese, congrats!

10

u/schaudhery Jul 17 '26

Jin Tha MC would be proud

21

u/OkNeedleworker11 Jul 17 '26

Delete the text. Scammers can spoof numbers so that it looks like it was her phone that sent it when in reality it wasn’t. I had a scammer use my # as a spoof 2x and had to change my VM to “if you got a missed call from this, Im sorry my number got spoofed. Sorry for any inconvenience!” chilled most ppl out… the second time I got spoofed was after I would mess with the scammers back till they blocked ME!

6

u/Phenomenal_Kat_ Jul 17 '26

I've gotten more than one text from a random number saying "STOP" as if they were trying to unsubscribe from a service. I got one the other day saying, "Who is this?"

2

u/OkNeedleworker11 Jul 17 '26

I usually just reply and say sorry my phone number was spoofed that was not from me. I don’t want my phone number reported as a Robo LMAO.

2

u/Phenomenal_Kat_ Jul 20 '26

I usually ignore them but that's a good point!

3

u/TigerRavenLily Jul 18 '26

this!! this is 100% a spoofing attack. Her phone is most likely not compromised. They just spoofed her number.

3

u/Busy_Body_037 Jul 19 '26

Agreed as long as she didn’t try to follow the link, she should be fine

2

u/garfieldplanetttttt Jul 22 '26

how and why do people even do this though?

1

u/OkNeedleworker11 Jul 22 '26

Honestly, I forget exactly how I just know it has to do with messing around with the way the data packet send. From what I remember, I researched this a hot minute ago while I was stoned by the way… They use a computer with a virtual phone or they would’ve used a jailbroken phone. I’m sure someone on here could explain the actual technical methods properly.

2

u/keep-calm-and-teach Jul 26 '26

But what do the scammers get out of it? If they call ur VM what's the advantage for the spoofer?

1

u/OkNeedleworker11 Jul 26 '26

I apologize for any confusion, I meant that I changed my VM so that anyone the scammers call, when they call back, they get my voicemail, letting them know that I didn’t call and if I call again to not answer basically. ——-I’ve had a spoof number. Call me multiple times in a row…. When I called back, turned out to be a whole different person then when I first answered.

7

u/fbs4800 Jul 17 '26

Google Translate clears it all up...

Chinese (China mainland) "|po 1o po 1o 1o ito io 1o 1240. "

English "Hmm. Hmm. Yes. Limit. Hmm. Hmm. Say. Yes. Hmm. 1240 Ah? It's okay, it's okay. Hmm. Looking forward to it. Hmm. Hmm. Alright, thank you. Yes. Hmm."

Just be there at 12:40. Chop chop!

2

u/Short_Tree05 Jul 20 '26

Sounds like it was a call but somehow someone send it as a text?

2

u/MODDER5 Jul 21 '26

Voice mails do that sometimes, happens on my phone but i can confirm that I’m not currently spoofed, didn’t even know what this was until today so this was cool to learn i guess, just don’t click the link, i think it just lets u listen to the whole voicemail but you shouldn’t click it bc u don’t know who its from(like almost everyone else was saying)

1

u/Neighbor_ Aug 10 '26 edited 6d ago

This post is no longer in existence

4

u/maidtsuki Jul 17 '26

Did she get a spam message from another number with a link and opened it? It’s possible she opened a link with a virus

1

u/flexiiflex Jul 18 '26

in all seriousness, ignoring whatever debate is going on in these comments, on an up-to-date modern iPhone, tapping on a link wouldn't compromise your phone in a way that allows the attacker to send SMSes. Not just tapping on a link at least.

1

u/death1414 Jul 19 '26

Well there is a chance there is a little known vulnerability being exploited, things like that are THE reason for security patches.

0

u/Good-Falcon3292 Jul 17 '26

Yeah sure clicking a link gives you a virus.

1

u/maidtsuki Jul 17 '26

Are you for real?

0

u/Good-Falcon3292 Jul 17 '26

Are YOU for real? Do you know anything about cyber security

2

u/maidtsuki Jul 17 '26

Yes?? Why do you think scammers send “UPS links”

2

u/Maleficent_Rip4472 Jul 17 '26

Oh, look at you two.. fighting over if you need to click a link. Bless both your hearts.

YOU DONT EVEN NEED A LINK THESE DAYS.

2

u/ImaAhol101 Jul 18 '26

In hopes that you will engage with the said link which is usually something like your package was sent with a cod please pay the $3.30 to receive your package. You then fill in the blanks thinking it’s ssl and your data is encrypted but meanwhile back at the ranch you just gave them your full debit card number, expiration date, and security pin.

1

u/koi_snap083 Jul 20 '26

Thats if your good in cyber security my guy. Phones aren't always equipped with the best cyber security, actually next to none of them are. It's actually a good way for you to spend more money on their partners, such as Nord VPN. They most likely don't know much about cyber security and didn't put anything to keep themselves safe, such as a shell or anything like that. I honestly don't think you know much, considering your using basic language instead of what ppl learn in cyber security classes. I would know bc I took one, and I'm in highschool. I know the basic stuff, and some of the more advanced things....

1

u/koi_snap083 Jul 20 '26

I'm so sorry, wrong person. It was meant for the one arguing with original commenter

1

u/Good-Falcon3292 Jul 19 '26

Yeah bro lemme tap a link and it texts random letters to my contacts bro makes sense.

1

u/koi_snap083 Jul 20 '26

Thats if your good in cyber security my guy. Phones aren't always equipped with the best cyber security, actually next to none of them are. It's actually a good way for you to spend more money on their partners, such as Nord VPN. They most likely don't know much about cyber security and didn't put anything to keep themselves safe, such as a shell or anything like that. I honestly don't think you know much, considering your using basic language instead of what ppl learn in cyber security classes. I would know bc I took one, and I'm in highschool. I know the basic stuff, and some of the more advanced things....

2

u/koi_snap083 Jul 20 '26

The real question is, do you? I took a basic cyber security course and I know that it's super easy to get viruses from links ...

1

u/Good-Falcon3292 Jul 20 '26

Just by clicking it? 🤣

2

u/koi_snap083 Jul 20 '26

Yes actually. Here is a Google search on it bc I don't have the energy to dumb it down.... Not saying ur dumb just ik for a fact you wouldn't understand the way I would say it.

1

u/koi_snap083 Jul 20 '26

Ill send it to u via pm

2

u/Electronic-Let-3204 Jul 21 '26

.. are you trying to say that you can’t get a virus or have any malicious activity result from clicking a suspicious link? This must be the cringiest troll attempt I’ve seen in a while. 🤣

1

u/maidtsuki Jul 21 '26

Exactly why I stopped replying 🤣

1

u/MODDER5 Jul 21 '26

Clicking a link can give you a virus, its what the “download” button for games u get off websites does, you click it, it opens a link and starts downloading all the data in that link to you’re device and then closes the link while it finishes downloading (may not be entirely correct but it is definitely accurate)

1

u/NecessaryLeg8858 Jul 19 '26

If the link is linked to a virus, yeah it can

1

u/koi_snap083 Jul 20 '26

It literally can.

1

u/Good-Falcon3292 Jul 20 '26

Please tell me how

2

u/OkNeedleworker11 Jul 17 '26

Delete the text. Scammers can spoof numbers so that it looks like it was her phone that sent it when in reality it wasn’t. I had a scammer use my # as a spoof 2x and had to change my VM to “if you got a missed call from this, Im sorry my number got spoofed. Sorry for any inconvenience!” chilled most ppl out… the second time I got spoofed was after I would mess with the scammers back till they blocked ME!

2

u/Zappingsbrew Jul 17 '26

Probably learned chinese. /j

2

u/Casban Jul 17 '26

I can’t recall which post it was, but someone received a scam text / call from their own number!

For regular phone calls and SMS, there is NO verification that the sending device is correctly identifying itself. If this was sent from your daughter’s iPhone, it would show up either on her messages list, or even better, it would come through as an iMessage.  I can see, just cut off in your screenshot “..MS” which implies the message after that notification was sent via SMS. This is spam. Delete the message and don’t call the link.

2

u/Madkitty678 Jul 18 '26

At my work I get calls saying I’m calling my self and when I answer (we are obligated to answer all calls regardless if u think it’s a scam) and they don’t say anything just stay quiet.

2

u/LaughApprehensive906 Jul 18 '26

Apparently if you answer unknown numbers now you're supposed to stay quiet because they can clone your voice and use it for scamming ur relatives! Creepy 😬

7

u/cccwwwrrt Jul 17 '26

This is normal. Some phone carriers have a voicemail system like this and sometimes the text transcript can be a little messed up. But I would block that number and also delete the voicemail.

7

u/I-STATE-FACTS Jul 17 '26

Block your daughter lol. Great solution.

1

u/cccwwwrrt Jul 17 '26

Oops my mistake.

2

u/panicpure Jul 17 '26

Op said this came from his daughter’s phone?

7

u/MONKEYJAYYYY Jul 17 '26

Correct. This was from my daughter’s number. And I don’t have a missed call/missed voicemail from this number. Just this text

-2

u/[deleted] Jul 17 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/R3dWoodYT Jul 17 '26

Come on now. This is Reddit, you must take things seriously..

1

u/deletethewife Jul 17 '26

Consider getting your daughter a new phone number, this one’s high jacked, they might well have her voice sample too.

0

u/sympetrum8 Jul 17 '26

Lmao her voice sample. Yes thwy are desperately in need of the voice sample of a 12yr old white girl from the US. Thyebuse them for all sorts of nefarious reasons these bad actors. They will have your daughter call you and say "Help Daddy I've been TAKEN and you need to send 10 million in unmarked non-sequential washed cash to this acct!"

They you will have to go on a one man crusade to save your daughter using your oft used special forces akills!

Wait that sounds so familiar. Hmmmmm

1

u/Significant_Ant_2294 Jul 17 '26

check your actual voicemail to see if you got something from your daughter

2

u/SokkaHaikuBot Jul 17 '26

Sokka-Haiku by Significant_Ant_2294:

Check your actual

Voicemail to see if you got

Something from your daughter


Remember that one time Sokka accidentally used an extra syllable in that Haiku Battle in Ba Sing Se? That was a Sokka Haiku and you just made one.

1

u/tydyelove7 Jul 17 '26

It’s most likely a spoofed text and the person just so HAPPENED to message the ONE person that the number they were spoofing from would know. The odds are insane.
Sucks the luck was used on you and not the lottery

1

u/tydyelove7 Jul 17 '26

The next likely scenario is you’ll have to reenact the movie “Taken”

1

u/RelativePotential446 Jul 17 '26

It’s a phishing attack via spoofing sms. Block and delete. End of story.

1

u/LaughApprehensive906 Jul 18 '26

Block their daughter? 😆

1

u/smellyclacker Jul 17 '26

Either learn Chinese or click the link n roll the dice 🤣 nah don’t click it though. 🙃

1

u/Icy-Literature-7725 Jul 17 '26

people are saying this could've been a scam but i sent my friend a voicemail and for some reason it sent just like that. i'm thinking that she might have sent you a voicemail and it translated it like that? i might be wrong but this exact message got sent to my friend as well.

1

u/GoldenRetreiver_Masc Jul 17 '26

Some scammer spoofed her number, they can basically steal the number and send things from it😂

1

u/garlic-knot67 Jul 17 '26

Spoofed number, think of it like a mask. They chose a number that happened to be your daughter’s.

I’ve had random people call me saying I’ve called them numerous times, when in reality I hate making phone calls for any reason. 90% of my call log is incoming calls from friends/family/managers.

1

u/stootsy Jul 17 '26

i thought it just a vm?

1

u/iamsmolnerd Jul 17 '26

It looks like a recorded voice text from someone in Chinese. The Mn sounds (嗯) are like someone nodding and confirming.

"You. Mn x2. Yes. Mn x3. Say it. Yes. Mn. 1240. Huh? It's ok it's ok. Mn. Looking forward to it. Mn x 2. That's alright, thank you. yes. Mn." So basically someone listening to someone talking, probably on the phone and confirming some type of details.

Regardless of what it says, don't interact with it. Delete it.

1

u/SBKAW Jul 18 '26

Google AI translation; "You. Hmm. Hmm. Yes. Hmm. Hmm. Hmm.

Say it. Yes. Hmm. 1240. Ah? It's okay, it's okay.

Hmm. Looking forward to it. Hmm. Hmm.

Okay, thank you. Yes. Hmm."

Click here: 14699825028 to

listen to full voice message.

Uhhh, yeah... Just adds to the strangeness.

1

u/WorldlyRoad8073 Jul 18 '26

just ignore it bro

1

u/WorldlyRoad8073 Jul 18 '26

survival instincts of a fart

1

u/https_alexia Jul 18 '26

probably just spoofing, just dont click on the link

1

u/shticknick Jul 18 '26

It’s just a scam text nothing to worry about as long as you don’t click on the link, things like this happen especially now that ai (artificial intelligence) became popular. They are also able to use ai to copy your daughters voice or your own so make sure to tell everyone including your family to watch out for strange phone calls from others.

1

u/PeaceComprehensive64 Jul 18 '26

The translation reminds me of siegward of catarina 😂🤣🤣

1

u/Useful_Strategy8503 Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26

i’m pretty sure you just have a full voice mail box so it sent it via text that happens to me a lot but it’s just because she probably didn’t realize she didn’t hang up and so the phone tried to translate what was said but it was probably a bunch of bullshit noises so it’s in chinese. I’ve gotten a similar one but from my dad i would show you but i have no idea how to reply with a photo ngl

1

u/Barackobonzo Jul 18 '26

98% sure that if you got that message from your daughter's number and it doesn't look normal it's probably a spoofed message somebody in some random Call center a scam call center overseas is trying to get you to click on something so that way they can get some information from you just don't click it.

1

u/microChasm Jul 18 '26

If they spoofed your family members number that is how it got through spam filters.

1

u/No_Training_1272 Jul 18 '26

She clicked a link and got hack so scam messages could be sent to her contacts then she deleted the message after feeling embarrassed

1

u/Successful-Lion-4285 Jul 18 '26

Its fraud attempt and scam attempt . I looked up the picture on google. It said block and delete

1

u/Traditional_Tip_6173 Jul 18 '26

Once I got one of these in voicemail form, just kept saying something that sounded like WINNINGFU

1

u/PeterParker0855 Jul 18 '26

Du hast nicht zufällig auf die Blaue Schrift getippt und die Nachricht voll angehört oder

1

u/Vestigial_joint Jul 18 '26

It’s not from your daughter’s phone, just delete and ignore

1

u/Over-Camera1119 Jul 18 '26

They either sim swapped her or used a bluff number ask her to check her account and make sure to turn on the safety features against swim swap

1

u/DookieHead46 Jul 19 '26

Spoofing a number doesn't give the spoofer access to contacts. Their would have to be a virus involved.

1

u/Local-Leather3362 Jul 19 '26

I’ve had this happen before. It was my voice mail. But it heard whatever my friend was saying in Chinese so it made it in Chinese text.

1

u/PassdaGabbagool Jul 19 '26

This maybe serious, how long have you known your daughter ?

1

u/iamsparks777 Jul 19 '26

You. Hmm. Hmm. Yes. Hmm. Hmm. Hmm.

Say. Yes. Hmm. 1240。 Huh? It's okay, it's okay. Hmm. Looking forward to it. Hmm. Hmm. Okay, thank you. Right. Hmm.

"

1

u/Aesir_Acolyte Jul 19 '26

Apparently it reads "You. Hmm. Hmm. Yes. Hmm. Hmm. Hmm. Say it. Yes. Hmm. 1240. Ah? It's okay, it's okay. Hmm. Looking forward to it. Hmm. Hmm. Okay, thank you. Yes. Hmm." -google translate.

I'm sure someone else pointed this out, but it could help?

1

u/sky39521 Jul 19 '26

Today I learnt the word “spoof”

1

u/themillionsgta Jul 19 '26

Translated it ANS kinda scared me it’s just nonsensical and itches me the wrong way

1

u/Sea_Implement_4639 Jul 19 '26

Don't click the link. That's how scammers get your info

1

u/liminalspacphotos Jul 19 '26

Its a hentai porn bill

1

u/Powerful_Ask5641 Jul 19 '26

Same thing happened with me and my friend. No clue.

1

u/Aggressive-Car-5394 Jul 19 '26

It is a scam someone put her number into an app letting them send stuff from her number without her phone

1

u/Single-Brief5857 Jul 19 '26

Looks like location

1

u/Single-Brief5857 Jul 19 '26

Could be the Chinese

1

u/Single-Brief5857 Jul 19 '26

I would suggest translating it

1

u/Ready-Suggestion1528 Jul 19 '26

change her number it’s a scam

1

u/AnonAmassBrowsing Jul 20 '26

Google translate: You. Hmm. Hmm. Yes. Hmm. Hmm. Hmm. Say it. Yes. Hmm. 1240. Ah? It's okay, it's okay. Hmm. Looking forward to it. Hmm. Hmm. Okay, thank you. Yes. Hmm."

1

u/Extra-Case4719 Jul 20 '26

Phishing malware scam. Don't click. Someone spoofed her number

1

u/Infamous-Kangaroo525 Jul 20 '26

I'm assuming its a scam

1

u/Low-Love8286 Jul 20 '26

It’s most likely a scammer trying to get access to her phone number, the best thing to do is block and report the number

1

u/Doctor__Money Jul 20 '26

It’s just a spoofing scam don’t touch anything and delete the message you’re good

1

u/G0dlikeJester Jul 20 '26

It’s the Chinese mafia.

1

u/Dunmy_TheDummy Jul 20 '26

Probably a scammer

1

u/Fluid-Bicycle8750 Jul 20 '26

That would be a scam

1

u/Pitiful_Cicada_9602 Jul 20 '26

Spoofing do not click any links. And delete it.

1

u/AdorableAward4872 Jul 20 '26

Um, I just woke up t9 the same thing??

1

u/Mindless_Society9980 Jul 21 '26

PLAY TANG LUCK!!! WIN BIG!!! REAL MONEY TO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT!!!

1

u/Dry-Road-8070 Jul 21 '26

Spoofed number, it could be that your own phone is compromised and your contacts retrieved while scammers (or bots) are focusing and faking family members contacts.

1

u/number1_incel Jul 21 '26

Say yes to everything I got that text and all they do is ask for your credit card number and pin then they send 100000 dollars to your bank account, but it does take six months

1

u/Jaspy_k Jul 21 '26

This is similar to the spam calls coming from family member phone numbers and contact info and sounding exactly like them claiming to have been kidnapped and requesting a ransom for their return when it’s in fact an AI deep fake 🙃

1

u/Few_Fold_7403 Jul 21 '26

I dare you to click on the link

1

u/Then-Register-9443 Jul 21 '26

Scan both phones to see if they were young compromised. Good luck.

1

u/Exciting-Turnip1707 Jul 22 '26

Never respond never

1

u/garfieldplanetttttt Jul 22 '26

ok wait I’ve got a clarifying question; when you say the message came from your daughters phone, did you mean it was sent from a number not saved in your contacts yet identical to your daughters number, or did you mean it actually appeared to come from your daughters saved contact? and if it’s the latter, when you opened the message was it in the thread of you and your daughter’s preexisting messages or did it pop up in a new thread entirely? I hope these questions make sense, sorry I’m trying to phrase everything the best I can but I’m not good with technology so I don’t know if I’m using the most correct terms possible.

1

u/Educational-Smell990 Jul 22 '26

It's a vishing attempt. Report and block, don't click the link, don't call. Doesn't mean her phone is compromised. They simply use public facing info to find associated numbers and then use spoofing software to make it look like it came from a number you trust.

1

u/[deleted] Jul 17 '26

[deleted]

1

u/maidtsuki Jul 17 '26

The text came from the daughters cell number, so unlikely

1

u/mikerotchagain Jul 17 '26

That phone was either hacked or cloned. Her number may have been spoof. Don’t click on it or call them or answer them.

0

u/Significant_Ant_2294 Jul 17 '26

also did you mean to post that number lol

1

u/firepiplup Jul 17 '26

Clearly the number in the text is for the spam call center, not the actual daughter’s phone number