Scott Huffman is an IT professional with more than 30 years of experience and is the Democratic nominee for NC House District 76. You can read the article and more at: https://www.salisburypost.com/2026/03/05/scott-huffman-when-a-simple-text-message-is-not-so-simple/

Earlier this week, I received a text message that many people have probably seen in some form.

“Is it OK to have a quick word, Scott?”

I did not recognize the number, so I replied, “Wrong number.”

That should have ended it.

Instead, another message arrived.

“Hi there Scott! It seems I forgot to introduce myself in my first text. It’s Monica Williams. I hope you still remember me. We met at your business, Charlotte Internet in 2023 when I was in North Carolina. You were the owner there at that time…”

It sounded polite. Professional. Familiar.

It was almost certainly a scam.

Here is why.

My business information is information that anyone can find with a quick Google search or by reviewing business records like the North Carolina Secretary of State or my professional profile on LinkedIn. My business does not have a public storefront or walk-in location. I work from my home office and meet clients by appointment at their locations. Someone who had genuinely met me would have known this or mentioned a specific client project, a job site, a referral source or some concrete detail about our interaction. Instead, the message used the formal business name exactly as it appears in public records.

That is a red flag.

Modern scams rarely begin with obvious warning signs. They begin with familiarity. They use your real name. They reference your business. They suggest a shared memory. But they keep it vague.

If I had replied, “Yes, this is Scott,” I would have confirmed three valuable things. My phone number is active. My name matches the number. I respond to unknown contacts. That information can be stored, sold and reused.

When I again said it was the wrong number and asked them not to text, the sender pushed back. “Isn’t this Scott Huffman?”

A legitimate person who texts the wrong number apologizes and moves on. Someone trying to confirm your identity keeps pushing. That persistence is another red flag.

These types of contacts have increased significantly as I run for public office. When you step into the public arena, your name, phone number and business history become easier to find. Unfortunately, that visibility also attracts more scam attempts.

These friendly opener texts are often the first step in larger schemes. Once engagement is established, the conversation can pivot to an investment opportunity, cryptocurrency pitch, fake business partnership or a request to move the discussion to another platform.

But text message familiarity is not the only trick being used.

You have likely seen emails or pop ups claiming your McAfee or Norton antivirus subscription is about to renew for hundreds of dollars. Some tell you to click a link to stop the charge. Others instruct you to call a phone number immediately to cancel the renewal or request a refund. That phone number connects you to someone pretending to be technical support who will then ask for remote access to your computer or your banking information.

Other messages claim to be from the IRS or the Social Security Administration. They threaten arrest, suspension of benefits or promise refunds. Some arrive by email. Some by text. Some by automated phone calls.

Here are the facts. The IRS does not initiate contact by email, text message or social media to demand payment or request personal information. The Social Security Administration does not email you to suspend your number or threaten immediate action. Official government communication begins with a letter sent through the mail.

These scams succeed because they trigger emotion. Fear of losing money. Fear of government trouble. Fear of missing out. The criminal does not need you to believe everything. They only need you to respond once.

Our names, businesses and phone numbers are publicly searchable in seconds. Scammers use that information to make fake familiarity feel real.

The solution is simple.

Do not confirm your identity to unknown contacts.

Do not click unsolicited links.

Do not call phone numbers provided in suspicious messages.

Do not provide personal information in response to surprise emails, texts or calls.

If concerned, contact the company or agency directly using a phone number from its official website.

In today’s digital world, caution is not paranoia. It is common sense.

Sometimes the smartest thing you can do is nothing at all.

You can read the full article at: https://www.salisburypost.com/2026/03/05/scott-huffman-when-a-simple-text-message-is-not-so-simple/