UK smartphone users are being warned about a new text message scam circulating that targets individuals with fake messages impersonating family members. This scam, known as the “Hi Mum” scam, is designed to trick recipients into believing they are in contact with a family member who urgently needs help.
The fraudulent messages typically start with a text from a supposed son or daughter using a new phone number, mentioning being hot and stressed in the current summer weather. The scammers exploit the emotional response of recipients by creating a sense of urgency and distress.
Once the recipient responds, the scammer continues to pose as a family member in distress and eventually asks for money to be transferred, often claiming it is for an emergency situation. The scammers rely on the instinctive response of parents to help their children without questioning the legitimacy of the request.
To avoid falling victim to this scam, recipients are advised not to respond to such messages. Instead, they should contact their family members using the known phone number to verify their safety. If the message is suspected to be a scam, it should be reported immediately to prevent others from being targeted.
In case of receiving a suspicious message, it is recommended not to reply, contact the loved one using their usual phone number, and forward the message to 7726, the UK’s spam reporting service.
While the scam may appear obvious in hindsight, it has successfully deceived many victims, with over £220,000 lost to “Hi Mum” scams in the UK between 2023 and 2025. To stay safe, it is crucial to approach any unexpected message claiming to be from a family member with caution and verify their identity through a trusted contact method before taking any action.