Spam message from my own phone number?

[awkwardturtle31415]

I just received a Text Message from "Me" (that is, my phone number).

It says:
"Free Msg: Your bill is paid for March. Thanks, here's a little gift for you: einsj46.xyz/MabOs44aoh"
below the message it says "not shown in Shared With You".

I'm not clicking the rando link. My bill was paid on March 7, so i don't think Verizon sent the message. Usually those come with "VZW FREE MSG:" at the beginning anyway.

I'm not sure how someone could send a message from my number. 

Has anyone else had this issue? What did you do?

[Ravenchickie]

I had the same thing happen just now. I've been receiving multiple spam texts a day recently and every time I've used the hold down technique and Report Spammer function but this time it's from MY OWN number. I don't want to accidentally report myself if that's even possible but I also want it stopped. HELP?!

[cindyby]

I have the same.  We can't block ourselves..........what's the solution Verizon?

[danaoracle]

Yes Verizon - what is the solution?

I have been bombarded by spam lately this was just the last one

[vzw_customer_support]

Hello there! We're terribly sorry about the situation. Rest assured that we're doing everything we can't to stop these messages. Verizon is aware that bad actors are sending spam text messages to some customers which appear to come from the customers' own number. Our team is actively working to block these messages, and we have engaged with U.S. law enforcement to identify and stop the source of this fraudulent activity. Verizon continues to work on behalf of the customer to prevent spam texts and related activity. We appreciate your patience while this is taken care of.    ~Aaron

[Akamasha]

Same thing happened to my husband and I. It takes you to a Russian News outlet website. I contacted Verizon customer service via chat they advised I contact the fraud protection team. To late to call tonight. 

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[jrodger7]

Check your message log on your bill too. The Verizon Network even logs it as your number. If it was a spoof, it would not log it as your number. The Verizon Network processed the message as coming from you, to yourself. This is a big problem. This is an internal network issue. 

[Beatle123]

I have the exact same problem- came this morning from my own number, Mar 28, 2022. Am not clicking on gift link, of course. Verizon, How will we know solution has been addressed?

[CuriousSnoo22]

There's a growing reddit thread about this as well.  It's definitely spam, but best to not even open the text either.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Visible/comments/tpqhv3/spam_text_from_my_own_number/

[awkwardturtle31415]

Thanks for this link! 

[accenttek]

I received the exact same message.  FYI, the link goes to a Russian State-Operated Live TV broadcast.

[eve08b]

I received the same message.  That's a bit concerning

[vzw_customer_support]

Your concern is warranted, and we'd like to explain more in detail. We've sent you a private note regarding the matter. Please respond as soon as you're able. We look forward to talking with you.

*Damien

[awkwardturtle31415]

@vzw_customer_support @Damien

I do not have any private messages. I just checked and there's nothing there.

[purplejazza]

Same thing happened to me this morning

[vzw_customer_support]

Hello, purplejazza! I've also received these messages, so understand your concern. As part of a recent fraud scheme, bad actors have been sending text messages to some Verizon customers which appear to come from the customers’ own number. Our company has significantly curtailed this current activity, but virtually all wireless providers have faced similar fraudulent activity in recent months. We are actively working with others in our industry and with U.S. Law Enforcement as part of an investigation aimed at identifying and stopping these fraudsters and their illegal actions, and we will continue this work on behalf of our customers. I hope this provides clarity. -Tracy

[awkwardturtle31415]

@vzw_customer_support @Tracy

Thank you for the link to the press release about preventing spam texts. I'm glad to see Verizon is taking security seriously. 

However, the only advice in the article and given on this forum, has been to report the text and block the number. Which is great and I wouldn't hesitate to do so, except that the spam message is coming from my phone number. To report it would be to report my number as a spammer, which is definitely not what I want. 

Is there anything I can do that won't flag my phone number as spam?

[kanookalie]

Just received the same type of text from myself, so strange 

Free Msg: Your bill is paid for March. thanks, here's a little gift for you: crazy weblink

[STEVECORSINI]

Same. Whag do we do/what's going on?

[vzw_customer_support]

Spam and other unwanted messages are a nuisance. We are here to help address any concerns. Have you received any additional messages?

-Gina

[Stepnout]

I've received the same text message twice in one day.  How do I deal with this?  I'm not going to block my own number.

And how is it possible for this to happen?