"Hi Mum and Dad” Scam message alert

Scammers impersonating your family members, particularly adult children, in order to ask you for money are targeting local residents. 

Look out for text messages that appear to be from a family member claiming to have damaged their phone and asking you to message them back on a different number. It could be scam.

Usually greeting you as ‘mum’ or ‘dad’, the sender claims to have lost or broken their phone and requests you message them back, on a new phone number or via another app. 

These messages will have a sense of urgency. The sender may claim that they’ve lost or damaged their phone, for example by getting it wet or dropping it, and will urge you to respond as soon as possible via SMS or WhatsApp. 

These scams are ultimately designed to trick you into handing over money or financial information to a scammer on the belief that you are communicating with a loved one.

Do not reply directly to the message. 
 

If you’re unsure, always stop, think and check.

Find out common tactics fraudsters use so you're ready to spot them and stay ahead of scams.

For more information visit the Government website Stop! Think Fraud