A legal question, not an ethical question - what's your take?

I have no idea. Interesting question, though.

My questions:

•  How do you know an actual person gave out your number, as opposed to your getting on some spammer’s list somehow?

•  What makes you think they can’t find you?

•  Do you know the legal standing of text as a written communication? If our legislators ever get back to their real jobs, maybe they’ll provide some new definitions.

Suggestion: You might text one of them back with some other message (such as “No longer in the market for this service”) and see what happens.

Don“t answer it in any way.
Block the senders instead..as it could be a way to get into your cell phone data?

How about “Sounds good to me!” instead? ;-) Jeruba’s version is also good and is even safer than mine.

No, you would not be on the hook for the service.

On the other hand, if they know your number and get that you pranked them and wasted their time etc., one or more of them might decide to prank your number. Or as Jeruba says, it might already be someone pranking your number.

I would not risk it.
A binding contract can also be established by action, which this could be construed as.
Send a demonic text with Zalgo glitches instead.

Call your broker.

Ignore it all.

I agree with @Inspired_2write!!! ANY time I receive a text from someone I don’t know especially about something I didn’t initiate, I block the text so it’s the LAST one I receive from them. I’ve also made it a habit to NEVER answer phone numbers that I don’t recognize. As soon as possible, I do a search of the number & IF it’s been reported as a known SCAM number, I block it also!!! Yes, it takes a little bit of effort on my part; however, it assures me that it’s the LAST time they will be bugging me!!! There are also apps that will notify you IF the number is potentially dangerous. I do the same with my home phone & now I receive VERY FEW harassing calls!!!

I received a text from a local eye doctor’s office reminding me that Brandon’s glasses were ready to be picked up. Having no children & not knowing who Brandon is, I called the office to tell them that they had bad phone number for Brandon. They apologized, said they would correct it, & I forgot all about it until 6 months later when I received an identical text from the same office. I decided it was THEIR responsibility to have correct phone numbers & Brandon’s guardian should be responsible for giving out the appropriate phone number; so, I blocked them from texting again assuming that when Brandon’s glasses aren’t picked up that the appropriate phone numbers will get exchanged. Whether that ever happened or not is NOT MY responsibility!!!

In your case, I’d simply block them WITHOUT any further contact!!! FYI, IF I had your cell number, I could probably give you your real name, physical address, birthday, spouse’s name along with birthday, & your children’s names & birthdays. . I can also access your criminal record; so, I can tell you every speeding ticket you’ve ever had, or if you were ever caught shoplifting, or charged with murder within 5–10 minutes of starting the process. So, DON’T think that they can’t find you IF they think you owe them money!!!