'The simplest petty revenge is often the most satisfying': Pranksters try to scare middle schooler over text, she plays along and outsmarts them

Author image for Isabella Penn
Isabella Penn
Mar 2, 2025 1:00 PM EST

Middle school can be brutal, especially when you're trying to navigate so many changes in your life. Kids have always been mean, but now with phones in the mix, being able to hide behind a screen has made kids even meaner (adults, too). Back when I was in middle school, we had these online message boards where people could anonymously write whatever they wanted about you. If there was even the slightest thing to pick on, you'd hear about it on your public message board (along with the rest of the school).

Now that cyberbullying is a thing, the best revenge is to beat them at their own game. At least that's what this teen did when she started getting threatening prank texts from a random number. At first she was terrified, but that was short-lived as she quickly figured out exactly who was behind it. Instead of freaking out, she played along and sent the pranksters into absolute panic mode with one text. After this experience, they probably never tried to mess with anyone again. 

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    via Daria Nepriakhina for Unsplash+

    This image is for illustration only, and the subject is a model; the image does not depict the actual subject of the story.

  • "Played along with prank texts, became the prankster"

    For context, this happened in middle school. I was only a few months into having my first cell phone, the iPhone 4S. I was chilling at home one night when a random number started texting me. After name-dropping
    via Sandevistanbogg
  • me, they started sending me threatening messages. I'm talking stuff that was WAY over - the line for my age – they were making it sound like they were outside, ready to beat me up if I left. It was pretty scary for about 30 seconds, but then I googled their
    via Sandevistanbogg
  • phone number and found all of their information. Cybersecurity was a lot looser back then, so it was very common for people to post their info publicly. This person had their phone number in their Facebook description LOL.
    via Sandevistanbogg

  • Ah, the simple days when people weren’t scared to put all of their personal information online. Kids that grew up in the early days of the internet have the craziest digital footprints. It’s like all of the cringiest phases of our lives still exist for every potential partner, employer, and stranger to see.

  • It was a chick from my school, "Sarah". I saw her in passing a couple of times, but we never had classes together. Why would she be messaging me like this? Then I connected the dots - I had recently befriended her
    via Sandevistanbogg
  • sister, "Abby", and gave her my phone number to chat. ☺ Abby started messaging me a few minutes after Sarah did. She struck up a casual conversation, asking how my night was going, but it was CLEAR they were
    via Sandevistanbogg
  • working together and she wanted to see me freak out. So I obliged! I lied and told her I was on the phone with the police. I told the officers every message that was sent to me, and they were tracing the number as we speak.
    via Sandevistanbogg
  • Cheezburger Image 10473077504
    via Scott Rodgerson for Unsplash+
  • As soon as I said this, I got a wall of texts from both parties. profusely apologizing. Abby admitted it was Sarah and that it was just a prank. There were lots of sad emojis and panic about the idea of police officers showing up at their house.
    via Sandevistanbogg
  • Ultimately, I "told the police" that it was a prank and to call off their pursuit. The girls apologized again and that was the last time I spoke with them. I know it's not the craziest story on this sub, but it was very satisfying in the moment. I'm happy they got a taste of their own medicine because prank texting people like that is messed up!
    via Sandevistanbogg
  • glenmarshall Excellent response!
    via glenmarshall
  • angelmakr9 This is hilarious! Sadly I work with people who do things like this and they are "adults".
    via angelmakr9
  • Zarjaz1999 6h ago. Thought you were going to end by saying that you started going out with Abby, and were now married with kids!
    via Zarjaz1999
  • CoderJoe1 I hope they policed their pranks better after this experience.
    via CoderJoe1
  • delulu4drama Bet Abby and Sarah have not pranked anyone since
    via delulu4drama
  • GirlStiletto This is the best way to get back at pranksters. These days, what they did would be considered a crime!
    via GirlStiletto
  • Dakduif This is peak content, I love it!!
    via Dakduif
  • LettuceWithBeetroot I know it's not the craziest story on this sub, but it was very satisfying in the moment I'm sure others will agree that in many cases the simplest petty revenge is often the most satisfying!
    via LettuceWithBeetroot

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school satisfying drama revenge petty prank payback karma entitled people police
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