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Original poster

Warning! Just about fell for con…

55 replies

EatSleepFlyRepeat · 19/09/2023 15:25

I just wanted to warn parents who may have just dropped their young adults off at Uni this week about a potential scam that I just about fell for earlier today… basically I got a text message from a random number saying something along the lines of ‘mum, I’ve smashed my phone, I’ve borrowed a phone from a friend but it’s on low power, can you message me back on my new number xx’ with the new number attached. Naturally I messaged back, in a bit of a panic and worried, and the conversation basically went on to ask for a large sum of money. There were couple of red flags, including some of the language in the message my daughter would never use - and as a EngLit student she is fastidious with her grammar and punctuation, it just didn’t seem like her. I was worried so I FaceTimed her on her usual number and of course she was fine, she hadn’t smashed her phone, and didn’t need any money or have a problem with the bank. I’ve attached screen shots of the text conversation and now blocked both numbers, but it did seem feasible especially as I had just dropped her off at her university over the weekend, posted on FB as many parents do, and I know she is paying out large sums of money for her accommodation etc at the moment - I can’t believe I just about fell for it, and just wanted to warn others who may receive similar messages! I feel like a bit of a fool for just about falling for it, but not as foolish as i would be to have actually fallen for it…

OP posts:

dancinfeet · 19/09/2023 15:35

I received a very similar message around this time last year, saying that my daughter had been mugged and her bag with her phone/bank card / ID taken, so she was texting from a friend’s phone as she couldn’t access her online banking.
Turned out this was actually the case, (she wasn’t hurt, just a bag snatch, though still distressing), but I insisted she actually call and speak to me before I would send any money. Always better to check!

EarringsandLipstick · 19/09/2023 15:38

This is a really well-known, long-running scam. It's not new.

The key point is to make direct contact first, as you did.

SoupDragon · 19/09/2023 15:47

DS and I had a good laugh about this - he received the text, not me.

It's absolutely worth reminding people about it though. It's really easy to get caught out if you aren't careful (or suspicious of everything!)

VeridicalVagabond · 19/09/2023 15:50

This is a really well known and long running scam, I love fucking with them when I get them. I always message like "Georgina you have got a NERVE texting me after all this time, I don't want to hear a word from you unless it's to apologise to Neil for what you said at Christmas!" And just see where they go with it.

tealandteal · 19/09/2023 15:52

I got one of these the other day but it started “Hi Dad” also my DS is 6 so seems unlikely!

YouHoooo · 19/09/2023 15:54

My aunt got one too…. The giveaway that it wasn’t my cousin was that it included please and thank you!

OnAFrolicOfMyOwn · 19/09/2023 15:56

A long running scam as pps have noted but doubtless the scammers are pushing it out more in the knowledge there'll be lots of worried parents with DC going off to university at this time.

Well done for spotting and sharing on here, OP.

MrsMarzetti · 19/09/2023 16:14

Learn the lesson. Surely personal security comes before FB ?

RedAndWhiteCarnations · 19/09/2023 16:21

Yes a long running dcs, but still worth reminding us all about it.
So thank you for that.

iatealltheminieggs · 19/09/2023 16:23

My mum fell for this, didn't hand over any money, but did delete and block my actual number.

It was a peaceful few weeks for me until DB realised what had happened.

ohtowinthelottery · 19/09/2023 16:27

My DS got one purporting to be from me (mum). It was late at night and he was on a weekend away. He woke me up ringing to check I was OK. He thought it was a scam (even after a few drinks) but thought he'd check just in case.

HelterSkelter224 · 19/09/2023 17:31

My mum got one of these but she saved down the number and ignored the request for money 😂

HelterSkelter224 · 19/09/2023 17:33

But actually these scams are becoming more sophisticated even using AI to mimic voices E.g. to ask for hostage ransom money over the phone with a "crying" victim. Scary stuff. I listened to a podcast ep about this and the expert suggested setting up a safe word with your loved ones. Sounds a bit extreme but actually these days I dunno... 😬

paradoxicalfrog · 19/09/2023 17:40

"Naturally I messaged back..."

Are you telling us that you hadn't heard about the child phoning parent claiming to have broken their phone and needing money scam?

dementedpixie · 19/09/2023 17:43

This is one of the ones I got. Both kids were in the house at the time.

TheBarbieEffect · 19/09/2023 17:45

I have no idea how anyone can fall for this. Apart from it being a long running scam, surely it’s just really obvious?!

Strugglingtodomybest · 19/09/2023 17:46

VeridicalVagabond · 19/09/2023 15:50

This is brilliant! I'm going to do this next time I get one of these scams.

SomethingWycked · 19/09/2023 17:51

Yes it's a long running scam but people must fall for it as it keeps on going. Can never have too many reminders about scams so thanks OP.

ShadowPuppets · 19/09/2023 17:51

I’ve had these and been really tempted to text back and ask if it’s 3yo DD or 1yo DS 😂

Tempting though it is though, I’ve always been warned not to text back. Once they get a reply they know the number is active so they can sell it on to another scammer as a confirmed active line. If you don’t reply they don’t know the phone number is in use etc. So replying might mean you get more of these and there’s a chance a more sophisticated scammer might actually get you one day.

Not an expert but this is just what I’ve been told…

Universitynewbie · 19/09/2023 17:52

Sorry i tried to quote the posters thwt seem incredulous amyone would fall for this but ut didn't work.
we saw from the second post on this thread, it could well have been the child and parents worry about their children so they message back, the key is to make direct phone call contact as OP did, I don't think it is silly posting to make people aware.
I can imagine someone being caught out by this is they are stressed and distracted at the time the message comes through and not everyone is as scam and tech savvy as others.

OP I think it is a really good post and I'm actually going to have a word with my children tonight so they know of scams like this as I feel it is something they could fall for (obviously not if it says mum)

FedUpOfItA · 19/09/2023 17:57

I got this. I was so angry at their nerve I replied in a way that actually shocked me. I'm not sure I'm comfortable posting what I replied. It brought out a truly psychopath side to my nature 🤣

Theunamedcat · 19/09/2023 18:04

My mum nearly fell for it randomly texting me to complain my sister had smashed her phone on a night out did I need her new number I said no she is getting a new phone and taking her number with it she hasn't broken her phone at all cue her arguing with me I said wait for the money request to come in you know THAT won't be your daughter (my mother is a legend in being tight fisted) then I messaged my sister telling her what was going on a little while later my contrite mother "almost" apologised for being snitty with me my sister said there are not enough eyerolls in the universe for my mother 😂 (we do love her but "apologise when your in the wrong" is not her thing 😂)

Pebblesflintstoneandbambamrubble · 19/09/2023 18:06

Ive had a few of these

For context,I have 6 children (16 middle names between them and I never WhatsApp them-always message on fb)

Anyway,I got the 'hi mum it's your fave child,I've lost my phone and need to borrow some money...'

Me-omg!darling how did you do that?I'll send you some money if you can give me your siblings ages and middle names just so I know its definitely you

Never heard another thing from 'fave child'

Another time it was 'hi dad...' (WhatsApp picture was a pic of myself and my partner-his face was more in the picture than mine)

I messaged back with 'wrong parent-im lacking a penis kiddo'

wheresmymojo · 19/09/2023 18:12

Things like this are going to get much more convincing as AI gets better and con men can use deep fakes and even say anything to you in your own daughter's voice if they manage to get a recording.

Worth everyone having a special word / phrase that allows you to identify that it's definitely your child / spouse / whoever

maximist · 19/09/2023 18:17

I ask them which cat they are. Funnily enough they never tell me.

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