UK smartphone users are being warned about a concerning new text message circulating on devices. The latest scam messages are a resurgence of the infamous “Hi Mum” scheme, which has already resulted in victims losing substantial amounts of money.
The scam starts with a seemingly innocent text from a supposed family member using a different phone number, leveraging current seasonal conditions to appear timely. A common message might say, “Hi Mum, I’m feeling overwhelmed by the heat. Please contact me on my new number – it’s urgent.”
Upon responding, the fraudster impersonates a relative in distress and eventually requests a money transfer, often under the guise of an emergency situation. These scams are highly successful as they exploit parents’ natural instincts to assist their children, inducing panic and prompting quick reactions without much scrutiny.
If you come across such a message, refrain from replying. Instead, use the known contact information for your family member to verify their safety. If it turns out to be a scam, report the text promptly to prevent others from falling victim.
In case you receive a suspicious message:
– Avoid engaging with it.
– Reach out to your loved one through their usual contact number.
– Forward the dubious text to 7726, the UK’s spam reporting service.
While the scam might appear obvious afterward, it has duped numerous individuals, particularly those less familiar with technology, by exploiting emotional manipulation and plausible narratives that pressure victims into sending money without due diligence.
The financial impact of these scams is significant, with Action Fraud revealing that over £220,000 was lost to “Hi Mum” scams in the UK from 2023 to 2025. The best practice is to exercise caution with any unexpected message purporting to be from a family member, verifying their identity through a trusted means before taking any action.
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