What to do if…
you receive an unsolicited meet me now message from an unfamiliar or spoofed account

What to do now

1. Create a safer pause. Stay where you are if it is safe, or move toward a staffed, public, well-lit place. Do not start traveling to meet the sender.
2. Treat the urgency as a warning sign. A demand to meet “right now” from an unfamiliar or spoofed account is enough reason to slow down and verify before acting.
3. Verify through a known-good channel.
   • If the message claims to be from someone you know, call or message the saved number you already had for them.
   • Use an existing, previously used chat thread if you have one.
   • Ask one clear question: “Did you just message me from a different account telling me to meet right now?”
4. Check whether anyone is in immediate danger. If you feel threatened, think someone is nearby waiting for you, or believe someone is in immediate danger, call 911. If it is not an emergency but you want it documented or want local advice, use your local police non-emergency number.
5. Preserve evidence without engaging. Take screenshots showing the username, number, message, date, and time. Keep the message thread intact if you can.
6. Report it through the right route, then block or mute.
   • For a text message, you can usually forward the spam text to 7726 (SPAM).
   • For a messaging or social app, use the in-app report option for spam, impersonation, harassment, or suspicious contact.
   • If it seems like a scam or phishing attempt, report it to the FTC.
   • If it involves spoofing, phishing, account compromise, cyber-enabled crime, or financial loss, report it to the FBI’s IC3.
   • If it involves unwanted texts or phone-number spoofing, you can also file an FCC complaint.
7. Do a fast account and privacy check.
   • Turn off location sharing you do not fully trust right now.
   • Check whether the message came after a password reset, login alert, or suspicious account activity.
   • If you clicked a link, gave a code, or shared a password, change that password using the real app or website and enable two-factor authentication where available.
8. Tell one trusted person. Send them a brief message such as: “I got a suspicious urgent message telling me to meet now. I’m not going. I’m verifying it and will check in again shortly.”