To answer one of those ”Hi Mum, this is my new phone number” texts?

[PuzzledObserver]

I didn’t actually do it - I blocked the number. I know for fact it is not from my child on the grounds that I don’t have any.

But it crossed my mind to reply with “OMG! Hope you’re OK! Is that Johnboy, or Tracey?”

And then mess with them.

My other thought was to reply with “Which of my children are you?” As they would then have to supply a name. Which would probably indicate to them that they’d been rumbled. Much more fun the first way.

Anyone done this?

I admit this isn’t really an AIBU, so I’ve removed the poll. But this struck me as the kind of forum where people might enjoy kicking this idea around.

Bless your mum.
My sister-in-law was caught out by a scammer.
He frightened her and took about £15k from her savings. Fucker.

She managed to get it all back from Lloyds, in the end, but she was in a bad place.

She felt humiliated that she was taken in by him, bless her, and (she’s a lot young than I am) I hope i was able to offer some wise counsel that she had nothing to be ashamed of.

I used to engage with the phone call ones where they said my computer had a virus because a friend got caught and paid £750 to get it sorted. I pretended to be elderly and asked them to repeat everything at least twice, then I would just keep them on hold, by delaying doing anything, I would say I have to let the dog out, postman at the door, couldn’t plug in computer, would put on music and put phone next to it, then answer them a few minutes later. After all this, I told them I didn’t possess a computer and that their parents must be very proud of them scamming money this way. Then I got abuse and told to F off and then they put the phone down, but hopefully it will have stopped them for a few minutes.

If I answered it would be:

Oh my god I thought you were dead! Have you got the $100K? If not, why the hell are you using this number?? You KNOW the Mexicans are monitoring it. Don't you remember Andy? The hideous angles of his broken limbs after the beating!!

Somehow my number is listed as a man's name so I only ever get "hi dad" messages. I've had this mobile number for 30yrs. I think I possibly registered at the odd random website under "Mr" just for the hell of it and that's the site that leaked my info.

I had some weird WhatsApps from someone who tried to ring me, I simply said I don't want to talk to them unless I've won raffle house and they are contacting me to tell me

I get loads on WhatsApp so they can see immediately if the number is active. I got one last week saying “Hi. My SIM isn’t working so I’m using my work number”, so I replied “Do you think I’m a fucking idiot, you scamming prick?”. But it was actually my brother who was abroad on holiday. 😂

It's fun messing with them.....and feels good to waste their time in retaliation but yes, it might just lead to a whole world of pain if your number gets out on an 'active' list

MIL was scammed by one of these “hi mum” scams- to the tune of around 40K. It was absolutely horrifying how good these scammers were at convincing her she was talking to her child. It really left her feeling so vulnerable, was heartbreaking to watch and the battle with the bank to retrieve the money was so difficult.
i have had this text myself but haven’t been tempted to respond.

I've told my teens to mention the name of our cat if they lose their phone. It will never happen as it would seem their phones have become fused to their hands!

Great idea.

My first step would be to phone the child (adult in my case) on their usual number and check everything was Ok.

I replied to a couple asking which kid it was and when they said ‘the eldest’ or ‘your favourite’ I replied with ‘Suckers’ and then blocked them. I only have 1 DS so none of those apply!

They will be receiving many witty replies
and it just another active number to them

I call my parents something other than mum/dad so my DM as very confused to receive a message like this. She’d have fallen for it if not for calling her something different. I got a panicked call to see what was wrong. Told her to tell all her friends to worn them.

Everyone should have a phrase to be used on genuine messages regarding emergency funds, no phrase, no response.

Banks should not be encouraging scammers by giving their customers' money to those gullible enough to be scammed! They're not an insurance provider. These scams have been known for years, even before the internet, people should be more aware by now.

I had fun with one texting them all the local "gossip"

We have a family thing to prove its genuine
We also use it to say that someone needs help and can't speak freely.

Not our problem to solve, their governments know exactly who and where they are, let them deal with it. India has some massive scam factories that their government don't deal with either.

Yes, I liked the one where the parent was dubious and asked for the name of the family cat. There was an awkward pause then 'Mittens?' Caught out.
Excellent guess though.

i love messing with them and I think I’ve been blacklisted as I haven’t had a call or message for ages.

I love just making a really unbelievable story. I’ve been in an accident, well yes I was drinking some whiskey, in these lovely jeans that my dad had brought me for my birthday, I had this party at this pub with a pink cake with a gold candle. But anyway I crashed my car into a cow after drinking too much. Luckily the farmer was really nice but I was a bit upset that my new jeans got damaged.

i just carry on talking and talking until they hang up 😂😂

I've replied "which one?", they reply "your favourite", I reply "I don't have favourites", they reply "come on Mum who else would it be?".

I don't care that they know my number, they can tell if the message is delivered, my number is available online and what difference does it make? I get one every few months, they stop after about 3 responses. I've also replied in French & Dutch

This series is really good and covers all sorts of scams , including the one you are talking about @PuzzledObserver

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002j74q?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile

I tried engaging with one that I got. I knew exactly what it was so wanted to have some fun. Sadly they didn’t reply.

This happened to me a few years ago, before it became a well-known scam. I replied with a request for confirmation: "Of course I'll send you money if you need it, but first tell me Grandma's middle name." Worked a treat.

Replied with "which one of you ingrates is this?". Never heard another word 🤣