Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Just got a fraudulent 'hello mum' text

35 replies

PupInAPram · 23/07/2023 22:29

saying 'my phone crashed, WhatsApp me on this number'. I know it's bollocks as my kids don't call me mum. My aibu is,
YANBU have a bit of fun and string the fraudsters along for a while just for shits and giggles.
YABU even replying knowing the text is fraudulent can be risky.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Hmmph · 24/07/2023 08:32

I had one of these. Was obviously not my child as it was written in full sentences 🤣

XiCi · 24/07/2023 08:27

Don't reply. They then know you're number is active. Copy the message and forward it to 7726. The number they messaged you from will then be taken out of circulation if its confirmed as fraud. Everyone should be doing this to try and help combat these fuckers

Awrite · 24/07/2023 08:21

Thanks @JustKeepSlimming

vernonb · 24/07/2023 04:59

Don't reply. why are you even spending time debating and thinking about these idiots?

JustKeepSlimming · 24/07/2023 03:34

Awrite · 23/07/2023 22:44

I got an IKEA verification code text the other day.

How can that be used to defraud me?

Is it if I reply it confirms that my number is valid?

It was probably just a mistake - someone has been asked for their mobile number and mis-typed it, putting yours in instead..

DdraigGoch · 24/07/2023 03:17

WhenIWasAFieldMyself · 23/07/2023 22:42

Your shits and giggles will just encourage them to do it to people who may be more vulnerable and scared by the scamming cunts.

Don't.

The longer you string them out, the less time they've got for real victims. Have a look at some of the "scammer payback" Youtube videos where they keep them on the phone for hours (while hacking into the scammer's computer and wiping the systems).

XenoBitch · 24/07/2023 01:21

I have had this one. I don't have kids.

LadyGaGasPokerFace · 24/07/2023 01:21

I had this message and both dds were on the sofa watching tv with me 🙄
Needless to say I blocked them.

Swrigh1234 · 24/07/2023 01:16

Do it. Please report back. Having an active number means nothing. They can’t get their hands on your cash unless you give it to them.

NoTouch · 24/07/2023 00:23

Wouldn't they know the number was active anyway when the whats app read tick shows?

Fantina · 24/07/2023 00:10

My Dsis and I have joked that we can sleep easily know our DM would never fall for these scams as despite being wealthy, she doesn’t so much as buy us a cup of coffee.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 24/07/2023 00:05

I had this last week - as a childless person I wondered if our cat had suddenly become amazingly tech savvy.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 24/07/2023 00:01

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 24/07/2023 00:00

I saw a meme that said to do a gumtree add saying free puppies and list the number

Although actually maybe don't do this or they'll start asking those people for deposits or something 😭

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 24/07/2023 00:00

I saw a meme that said to do a gumtree add saying free puppies and list the number

cocksstrideintheevening · 23/07/2023 23:53

Don't reply ffs

Twyford · 23/07/2023 23:50

Why do they always want you to WhatsApp them? I'm always tempted to play the helpless parent and tell them to set up the WhatsApp.

Redshoeblueshoe · 23/07/2023 23:30

Smilesup - excellent reply

smilesup · 23/07/2023 23:26

I replied is that Ella or Matty? It was poor little Ella, which is weird as I don't have an Ella. They gave me lots of urgent texts before I remembered I had disowned Ella as she was a lazy so and so and would she kindly ask her Dad as I no longer wanted her to live her. She never contacted him though which was strange.

Original poster
PupInAPram · 23/07/2023 23:21

Seems a few folk have replied without then getting bombarded by fraudsters.

OP posts:
ivykaty44 · 23/07/2023 23:13

I had this text going back 3/4 years and was unsure about it so I sent a fishing text back, to confirm either way if it really was my dd

what Have they done with my live number?

BeckyWithTheGoodHair010101 · 23/07/2023 23:07

I had one of these the other week
I told this "child" that I wished they weren't born and they weren't getting a penny from me. Couldn't resist a little wind up. What happens now I'm on "the list" 😬

Redshoeblueshoe · 23/07/2023 22:52

My phone - which is just a cheap one, tells me when a call or a text is a scam

Original poster
PupInAPram · 23/07/2023 22:49

@Peakysneaky Mar, don't ask me why!

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 23/07/2023 22:46

Mine call me mam or maaa!!!!! We also have protocols in place for if their phone is genuinely broken

YabbaDabbaDooooo · 23/07/2023 22:45

mynameiscalypso · 23/07/2023 22:44

Once you end up on a list as a live number, your details become much more valuable to scammers.

This, totally.