Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Scam - Hi Mum

145 replies

Vapeyvapevape · 17/09/2022 22:33

I've just had a WhatsApp message from a number I don't know with my daughters name on it saying she dropped her phone down the loo and is now using this new number . I sent a couple of messages back and got no reply .
I called my daughters original number and she hasn't dropped her phone down the loo !
Has anyone else had this ?

OP posts:
Always4Brenner · 17/09/2022 23:12

Vapeyvapevape · 17/09/2022 23:08

They've sent me bank details with their (scammers) name on it . Would it be worth taking this to the police?

Yes dealing with action fraud myself.

mynameiscalypso · 17/09/2022 23:13

Vapeyvapevape · 17/09/2022 23:08

They've sent me bank details with their (scammers) name on it . Would it be worth taking this to the police?

I can guarantee that the police will do absolutely nothing with it.

For those who waste the time of the scammers replying, it's someone sitting in a massive call centre type operation overseas. There are hundreds of them (and sometimes they're victims of human trafficking or being held as slaves).

MedievalNun · 17/09/2022 23:13

Happened to my parents yesterday. Thankfully had sent my dad a text purportedly from me saying 'hi mum, lost my phone etc etc etc' - dad realised not me by the greeting & the fact the scammers used English in the text and not Welsh, mum did ring to check though.

Definitrly report!

EndTheMonacyNow · 17/09/2022 23:17

👀 Don't suppose you can post screen shots? I think they are fascinating.

I'm amazed people are taken in but it seems quite a few people are. I hate scammers.

Summerfun54321 · 17/09/2022 23:18

Ask her if she had a nice night out and what time she’s coming home and whether she remembered to post that letter for you and if she’s heard from her sister this evening and whether she remembered to pick up a card for grandad’s birthday tomorrow…. They crack and give up eventually 😂

StarbucksSmarterSister · 17/09/2022 23:21

I got one with a "new number" and sent a nice text back " sorry you have the wrong number, I don't have any children". Because I don't! Talk about dim, I had no idea at the time that it was a scam. 😂

Vapeyvapevape · 17/09/2022 23:25

Antarcticant · 17/09/2022 23:09

Yes - report to Action Fraud - 0300 123 2040

Reported it online

OP posts:
CalebWomble · 17/09/2022 23:25

Dh has had it twice. First time ds had been talking to us that morning about how he was going to get a new phone, so obviously thought it was him. But then they were asking for money to pay for a MacBook air, which is highly unlikely for ds, so dh was worried that ds was getting scammed - called his old number and realised he was the target! Second time, dh said "hello Gertrude" and when Gertrude asked how he was, said he was doing ok today, still not got over losing her brother in that car accident though - no requests for money, so nice to know that even scammers have a bit of a conscience.

I think it's an interesting example of how we're so good at telling stories that we just fill in any blanks for ourselves.

EndTheMonacyNow · 17/09/2022 23:28

Can you find out the bank from the sort code? I found this SORT CODE CHECKER online. If you put in the sort code it should, hopefully, tell you the bank then you can contact them to let them know the accounts being used for crime. It almost certainly won't be the scammers actual account but a 'mule account' - still worth reporting though.

Vapeyvapevape · 17/09/2022 23:32

EndTheMonacyNow · 17/09/2022 23:17

👀 Don't suppose you can post screen shots? I think they are fascinating.

I'm amazed people are taken in but it seems quite a few people are. I hate scammers.

This is the message I got .

Scam - Hi Mum
OP posts:
Mosso · 17/09/2022 23:35

I hate these scammers. One called me yesterday and I told him his parents would be thoroughly ashamed of him and if Jesus is watching he'd not be happy either. He hung up on me Grin

Vapeyvapevape · 17/09/2022 23:36

EndTheMonacyNow · 17/09/2022 23:28

Can you find out the bank from the sort code? I found this SORT CODE CHECKER online. If you put in the sort code it should, hopefully, tell you the bank then you can contact them to let them know the accounts being used for crime. It almost certainly won't be the scammers actual account but a 'mule account' - still worth reporting though.

It's HSBC Chester , I don't know if their fraud department is open tomorrow, if not I'll call them Tuesday.

OP posts:
thebutcherswife · 17/09/2022 23:37

EndTheMonacyNow · 17/09/2022 23:28

Can you find out the bank from the sort code? I found this SORT CODE CHECKER online. If you put in the sort code it should, hopefully, tell you the bank then you can contact them to let them know the accounts being used for crime. It almost certainly won't be the scammers actual account but a 'mule account' - still worth reporting though.

My mum had this scam. She texted me on my number to check if I had changed my number. When she realised it was a scam I told her to go along with it so we could get the bank details and report it. When we got all the info..bank details, account name, we reported it and they did didally squat!

EndTheMonacyNow · 17/09/2022 23:42

This is from HSBC website
If you think you've been targeted
Call us straight away on 03457 404 4044, or +44 1226 261 0100 if you're outside the UK.
If you're a Premier customer, you can call us on: 03457 707 0700_.
You can also forward any suspicious emails or texts to us at [email protected]k_.

I'd give them a call straight away if you have time.

Vapeyvapevape · 17/09/2022 23:45

I've just called HSBC fraud department and they didn't want me to give them the details, I've got to do it via my bank even though I haven't paid anything.

OP posts:
EndTheMonacyNow · 17/09/2022 23:46

Or try a tweet?
@HSBC_UK

EndTheMonacyNow · 17/09/2022 23:47

Vapeyvapevape · 17/09/2022 23:45

I've just called HSBC fraud department and they didn't want me to give them the details, I've got to do it via my bank even though I haven't paid anything.

That's a shame. You would think they would want to know.

Vapeyvapevape · 17/09/2022 23:51

EndTheMonacyNow · 17/09/2022 23:47

That's a shame. You would think they would want to know.

I know , ridiculous!

OP posts:
Vapeyvapevape · 17/09/2022 23:55

EndTheMonacyNow · 17/09/2022 23:46

Or try a tweet?
@HSBC_UK

Tweeted 😊

OP posts:
EndTheMonacyNow · 17/09/2022 23:58

Hopefully that might help

NoMoreChubRub · 18/09/2022 00:05

Tell them if they pay for a new phone for dd and apon receipt of said phone you'll reimburse lol

maximist · 18/09/2022 00:12

I've had a few of these, I just ask them which cat they are...

Vapeyvapevape · 18/09/2022 00:13

I've asked them how Anna's party was and if she liked her present, they're getting a bit frustrated with me so I told them not to get stroppy with me. I said I have transferred the money and they now want proof.

OP posts:
Novum · 18/09/2022 00:16

Vapeyvapevape · 17/09/2022 23:08

They've sent me bank details with their (scammers) name on it . Would it be worth taking this to the police?

What story do they give to justify the fact that your dd wants the money sent to a stranger's account?

Antarcticant · 18/09/2022 00:16

Vapeyvapevape · 18/09/2022 00:13

I've asked them how Anna's party was and if she liked her present, they're getting a bit frustrated with me so I told them not to get stroppy with me. I said I have transferred the money and they now want proof.

Now is the time to suddenly 'become' chronically dimwitted and ask them to clarify every single instruction to the nth degree.