The "hi mum" text scam has changed - warning!

[itsgettingweird]

I've read about the scam here where you get a text from your child saying their phone has broken and asking for money.

I've just had one saying "Hi mum. My phone has broken and I'm texting from a friends phone that's about to die. Can you text me on ....."

I'm guessing the cost to text that number is huge or they'll then ask for money via that number?

I've deleted the text obviously but just thought I'd let others know it's out there.

Luckily I knew of the scam but my ds is sat next to me and they've clearly never tried to read his spelling before because this was spelt perfectly

I had one, i rang DS on his original number and he answered, no issue with a lost phone. Just try contacting DC first before panicking.

It may have said ring which is why thought it was the new way of making money.

I've deleted it now so can't check.

But worthwhile knowing definitely DO NOT ring an unknown number!

This, who memorises their mum’s number? Immediately unbelievable as a premise imo!

Ds knows mine. He’s heard it so many times since he was born, he has been able to rattle it off since he was little.

Although he is good with numbers. He remembers things like his bank card and the WiFi password.

I've never heard of this scam so thank you. I would probably have fallen for it.

Thanks, its definitely a new one for me and I would probably have fallen for it since it doesnt ask for money or give a link. It does sound like it might divert to a premium number.

You do realise most scams aren’t so obvious as to ask for money straight from the off?

If you think you would have fallen for this you really need to brush up on internet security and gain some knowledge around scams.

Bumping this as I had the exact same text as OP at 3.15 this morning. I stupidly texted as dd is away at uni & I didn't think it through in the early hours. It was a text on WattsApp. Since deleted, blocked & reported. Dd fine & phone of course!

The code word seems a simple precaution. Child's middle name perhaps?

I got this one sent to me today. Bloody scammers are the scum of the universe.

And on a completely unrelated matter has anybody recently made enquiries to companies/services who then frequently bugged you with phone called or text messages?

DH got a "hi mum" text the other day 😀

Why complicate matters with code words?

Who is this? Is the obvious answer if for some reason you don't know straight away that it's a scam

I had one where they messaged via sms saying they had dropped their phone and to message on whatsapp.

I strung then along just to see what they would for and they wanted me to pay a bill for them, the billing code was a crypto wallet. I told them I would and just had a bit of fun with it.

I do not want to reply to mine because they might sell my number on. But they are getting signed up to a world of crap.

Code words work for everything, we have one
It could be used when I was a teenager as "come and get me out this situation" or for a shared account password, someone else picking you up from school or anything really

I remember there being a shooting at a nightclub and I just managed to sob the code word to my dad who was there in 10 mins to get me. If I ring him now and said it, he would be "on my way"

I had that exact same text OP and I wasn't sure how to respond, whether it was maybe just a wrong number (my DC are too young for phones) but there are so many scams around these days that I tend to assume that anything I'm not expecting is a scam. Looks like this one was a scam as we got the exact same message.

Ditto two others here - how would the average teenager know the mum's phone number off by heart to text anyway? Bloody stupid from the off.

I had this one today as well

just to reiterate, for ANY scam or even slightly suspicious text message, ALWAYS forward them to 7726

that way, the cyber security experts can investigate the text and shut down these scams.

I've been scammed today £1600 by text messages. It was" my phone broken got to pay loan debt agency or else. Bank has frozen my online banking account til I get a new number If of 48 hrs "I will pay you back soonest .just about got that in account but agency demanding instant payment
I did look this up and seemed legit. Can you help please,can send details now .Then several short texts Could I help Now DS family are struggling so could have taken out loan from debt agency. Tried to check if his phone actually not working but no answer. Tried DIL but no reply as she on duty in hospital. So I paid it Was gonna get it back in a few days anyway..Wasn't aware of this scam as I'm 75 with chronic illness so other worldly. It's 'the cruelest scam ever.