Most wrong-number texts are harmless. Some are the first step in a carefully planned scam. By replying, you may be confirming that your number is active and that you’re willing to engage with strangers, making you a more valuable target for future fraud. Here’s why a polite response can be worth money to cybercriminals. The politeness trap Sunday night. You’re on the couch, half-watching Netflix, when your phone buzzes. “Hey! Are we still on for dinner tomorrow? Don’t forget the wine ” You don’t recognize the number. You glance at it for two seconds, then type what most polite people would: “Sorry, I think you have the wrong number!” You put your phone down. Go back to Netflix, and forget about it within five minutes. On the other end, though,…