A DEVASTATING scam that can cost you thousands of pounds in seconds can easily be blocked – it just takes 30 seconds.
The only catch is that you’ll want to get ready for it in advance.
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One of the most common text-based scams out there right now is called the “Hi Mum” con.
It’s also known as the “friend in need” scam, and attempts to trick unsuspecting parents into handing over cash quickly.
A crook will pose as your child and convince you to send cash in an emergency – but it’s a total con.
Thankfully, there’s a very easy way to scupper it and keep your cash safe.
WHAT IS THE SCAM?
City of London Police‘s Action Fraud issued a major warning about the scam back in 2022, revealing that it had already cost users £1.5 million.
“Criminals will typically claim to be a family member and will usually begin the conversation with ‘Hello Mum’ or ‘Hello Dad’,” Action Fraud explained.
“They will say that they are texting from a new mobile number as their phone was lost or damaged and will go on to ask for money to purchase a new phone, or claim that they need money urgently to pay a bill.
“The criminal will supply their bank details for payment, with some coming back on multiple occasions until the victim realises they’ve been scammed.”
Since then, the scam has only grown in popularity.
In 2023, McAfee issued an alert warning of a “new threat” were crooks were using AI to carry out more convincing versions of the scam.
This even involved using AI voice-cloning tech to make the con work over phone calls.
“With inexpensive and easy-to-use AI voice-cloning tools, fraudsters are delivering bespoke messages through calls or voicemails and fraudulently asking for help in the form of financial assistance,” McAfee warned.
“In the past, those wishing to create these assets needed to have both the time and technical ability to replicate voices.
“But applications and tools that produce near instantaneous, highly believable results are now just a few clicks away.”
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The scam can turn up on chat apps like WhatsApp or iMessage, via email, or even over the phone using an AI-cloned voice.
And it can be highly convincing: Brits have already lost millions to the con, with thousands sometimes being taken in a single attack.
“If you receive a message like this from a friend or family member, don’t send any money until you’ve had a chance to call them and confirm their identity,” said Detective Chief Inspector Craig Mullish.
“Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.”
ACTION FRAUD – THE OFFICIAL ADVICE
Action Fraud advises that the public follow the advice of the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign to keep themselves safe from fraud.
- Stop: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
- Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
- Protect: If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud online at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.
How to report
- You can report suspicious text messages you have received but not acted upon, by forwarding the original message to 7726, which spells SPAM on your keypad.
- You can report suspicious emails you have received but not acted upon, by forwarding the original message to [email protected].
- If you have provided personal or financial details as a result of a suspicious message, or lost money because of a scam, you should report it to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040
HOW TO STAY SAFE – THE QUICK TRICK
Of course, if a crook is using voice cloning or has taken over the family member’s phone, checking with them through another method might not work.
So that’s where the clever trick comes in.
You’ll want to call your son or daughter (or mum or dad) today and set up a safe word or phrase.
It can be anything really – like a fruit, a place, or a date – but not something obvious like your birthday or hometown.
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Then whenever one of you ask’s the other for money, you’ll demand the safe word to verify the identity.
Scammers will have no one of knowing this, as long as you haven’t written it down somewhere on your devices.
And it’s an instant way to prevent the scam from going any further.
It only takes half a minute to set up, and could save you from being conned out of thousands of pounds.
So give your family members a call today and make sure you have safe words set up.
