A strange thing just happened that I'm thinking might be a scam of some kind.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

I got a text from someone I haven't heard from in years - since I retired eight years ago. This was someone I worked with and was on friendly terms with; we had some occasional out-of-work socializing along with other co-workers but we weren't close friends. I might have had one or two conversations with her shortly after I left but that was it, and I think she might have moved to Atlanta at some point (which I'd probably have had to do, too, if I hadn't retired). Anyhow, today I got a text that said, "Hi, this is XXXX. How are you doing? Lmk if you need something from the grocery store. I am happy to pick it up for you." I thought this was very odd, since even if she hadn't left town she probably would still have been living way out in the 'burbs, at least 20 miles from here, and I couldn't imagine why after 8 years she'd have suddenly come out of the woodwork and offered to deliver my groceries.

So I texted back, "I'm fine, I thought you were in ATL." After 5 hours I've had no response, and I'm wondering whether somehow someone has spoofed this person's number (apparently it was still in my Contacts, which I've never cleaned out) and tried to get me to send them money to pick up my groceries, which of course would never be delivered. Am I too suspicious or is this a scam? And maybe I should purge my old contacts.

[Lulu KC]

1. Maybe you are also in her contacts and she accidentally used your number

Instead of the other person she knows with the same first or last name who is on her contact list.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. She addressed me by name, so I don't think that's it.

And she didn't text me back, which makes me wonder.

[Lulu KC]

13. Oh yeah

Unsolved mystery, and very creepy.

[Patterson]

3. I vote for scam.

[magicarpet]

4. Yes that is what I thought the ploy might be,... a Trojan Horse grocery escapade....

.... that never came back with the goods.

As we move along this path and get deeper expect people are bound to be among the desperate and very desperate.

You are wise to have you antennae up now because it could become serious real soon.

A camera and voice speaker at the door so you can be certain that your visitor means no ill will prior to your opening any entry doors. Go away , leave - I have already called 911, you better go.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. Just heard back - apparently it's real.

She isn't in ATL but has left that job. I guess I'm too paranoid, but my philosophy tends to be that you can never be too paranoid, you can only be not paranoid enough.

[Jamastiene]

10. I would still be suspicious.

That's just me though. I guess it would depend on how close you were to that person and how much you are willing to trust them. If they ask for money, definitely stop and think.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

11. Could be.

We were friendly but not close friends so I'm still kind of puzzled why she'd contact me now. I don't think she's a scammer but she could be trying to sell something relatively legit, like Pampered Chef or something along those lines - not that it's possible to have those in-home parties anymore.

[captain queeg]

6. I'd still keep my antennae up

Years ago a guy who I’d been friendly with at work contacted me out of the blue and said he was in town and invited me to drop by. I went down to the hotel and there was a convention of some multi marketing thing with magnetics. Don’t remember the company name but he talked me into trying some magnetic insoles that were supposed to help my back. Back then I’d try anything my back was so fucked up. They didn’t do anything of course and he’d let me try them for free but I didn’t talk to him again. It was some sort of amway kind of operation.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. Yeah, it does seem odd that she'd contact me after all this time.

We'll see.

[applegrove]

8. I've gotten spoof from my dormant contacts.

[Jamastiene]

9. Sounds like a scam to me.

I'd block them too, after purging old contacts.

[Generic Brad]

12. Scam

If you have to ask, you know the answer.

[WestLosAngelesGal]

14. I've been Googling old friends and coworkers...

just to see if they are okay (posting on social media), and reassure myself that they are not dead.
However, I do not contact them.

[Ron Obvious]

15. It sounds a bit too generic, I think

I'd vote scam. Sorry.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

16. The second text proved it was the real person

by containing info that a random spoofer wouldn't know. At this point I'm just questioning motivation - like maybe wanting to sell me something.