What are the warning signs of a 'hi mum' family impersonation?

Watch for: New number claiming to be a family member; Refuses to call — only chats by text; Urgent money request to an unknown account; Story keeps shifting.

How can I tell if this is a scam?

Stop and verify independently. Contact the organisation using details you look up yourself, never the ones in the message, and don't act on urgency. You can also paste the message into the ScamShield AI scam checker for a risk assessment — it gives guidance, not a guarantee.

What should I do if I clicked the link or replied?

Stop all contact, change the password on any account you logged into and turn on two-factor authentication, and watch your accounts for changes you didn't make. Call your family member on their known number to verify. Agree on a family safe-word for emergencies. Never transfer money based on a text alone.

What should I do if I already sent money?

Contact your bank immediately and ask about stopping or recalling the payment, keep all evidence, then report the scam. Be wary of anyone who later offers to recover your money for a fee.

Where should Australians report this scam?

Report scams to Scamwatch (National Anti-Scam Centre), report cybercrime to ReportCyber, forward scam texts to 7726, and contact IDCARE if identity details were exposed. Contact your bank first if money is involved.

All scams

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'Hi Mum' family impersonation

Texts from a 'new number' pretending to be your child in trouble.

Senior

How it works

You get a WhatsApp or SMS from an unknown number: 'Hi Mum, I broke my phone, this is my new number.' Then they ask you to urgently pay a bill or transfer money because they can't access their banking.

Common scenarios to watch for

This scam shows up in several different shapes. Recognise the pattern, not just one message.

Reporting locationHotlines on the printed checklist will match this location.

Classic 'Hi Mum' WhatsApp

Texts from 'a new number' claiming to be your child with a broken phone and an urgent bill that must be paid today.

"Hi Mum, my phone is broken, this is my temporary number. Can you pay $1,850 to this BSB? I'll repay tomorrow."

Red flags to spot

Did the message come from an unknown number claiming to be family?
Are they asking for an urgent money transfer for an unusual reason?
Did they ask you not to tell other family members?
Can you verify by calling the family member on their known number?

'Grandkid in jail' phone call

A panicked caller pretends to be your grandchild arrested overseas, then hands off to a 'lawyer' who demands urgent bail money.

"Nana it's me, I had an accident in Bali, I'm in trouble, the lawyer needs $6,000 today to bail me out — please don't tell Mum."

Red flags to spot

Did the caller sound panicked and ask for secrecy?
Were you quickly handed to a 'lawyer' demanding bail money?
Are they asking for payment by wire, gift card, or crypto?
Can you contact your grandchild directly through another family member?

Boss / payroll impersonation

Text from 'your manager' asks you to urgently buy gift cards for a client. Real manager never asked.

"It's Sarah — in back-to-backs. Please buy 6 x $200 Coles gift cards for a client gift and send the codes."

Red flags to spot

Is the request for gift cards unusual for your workplace?
Did the message come from a number or email you don't recognise?
Are you being told the manager is 'in meetings' and can't be disturbed?
Can you verify the request by calling your manager directly?

Red flags

🚩New number claiming to be a family member
🚩Refuses to call — only chats by text
🚩Urgent money request to an unknown account
🚩Story keeps shifting

What to do

1Call your family member on their known number to verify.
2Agree on a family safe-word for emergencies.
3Never transfer money based on a text alone.

Who's targeted

Parents and grandparents reachable by SMS / WhatsApp.
Anyone whose family members are public on Facebook.

Why it works

Worry for a loved one overrides verification.
Refusal to call is excused with 'phone is broken'.

Common variations

Different shapes of the same scam — recognise the pattern.

1'Hi Mum, this is my new number' on WhatsApp.
2Bail / hospital emergency in another country.
3'I need help paying a bill before midnight' urgency.

If you've already been scammed

1Call the bank immediately — speed determines recall.
2Block the scam number and report to your telco.
3Tell other family members so the scammer can't pivot to them.

Frequently asked

How do scammers know my family?▾

Public social media posts and data breaches. Lock down your privacy settings.

Should we have a family safe-word?▾

Yes — a phrase only your family knows, used to verify emergencies.

Can WhatsApp help recover money?▾

WhatsApp can't — only your bank can, and only if you act fast.

Questions people ask about this scam

How does the 'hi mum' family impersonation work?: You get a WhatsApp or SMS from an unknown number: 'Hi Mum, I broke my phone, this is my new number.' Then they ask you to urgently pay a bill or transfer money because they can't access their banking.
What are the warning signs of a 'hi mum' family impersonation?: Watch for: New number claiming to be a family member; Refuses to call — only chats by text; Urgent money request to an unknown account; Story keeps shifting.
How can I tell if this is a scam?: Stop and verify independently. Contact the organisation using details you look up yourself, never the ones in the message, and don't act on urgency. You can also paste the message into the ScamShield AI scam checker for a risk assessment — it gives guidance, not a guarantee.
What should I do if I clicked the link or replied?: Stop all contact, change the password on any account you logged into and turn on two-factor authentication, and watch your accounts for changes you didn't make. Call your family member on their known number to verify. Agree on a family safe-word for emergencies. Never transfer money based on a text alone.
What should I do if I already sent money?: Contact your bank immediately and ask about stopping or recalling the payment, keep all evidence, then report the scam. Be wary of anyone who later offers to recover your money for a fee.
Where should Australians report this scam?: Report scams to Scamwatch (National Anti-Scam Centre), report cybercrime to ReportCyber, forward scam texts to 7726, and contact IDCARE if identity details were exposed. Contact your bank first if money is involved.

General scam awareness information. ScamShield AI cannot guarantee that every scam will be detected or that a message is legitimate.

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