Mother's Day scam warning as Brits urged to beware dangerous 'Hi Mum' message
Brits are being warned to stay alert against the growing “Hi Mum” scam this Mother’s Day.
The “Hi Mum” scam is a type of Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud. This is where a scammer poses as a trusted person, such as a friend or family member, to trick you into sending them money.
In the case of the “Hi mum” scam, the fraudster typically claims to be a son or daughter of the victim, and says they have lost their phone or had to change their number. They will then normally make up some sort of emergency to try and get the victim to send them money.
New research from Visa shows one in three people have fallen victim to APP fraud, while over half (53%) said it’s getting harder to spot the signs. It is estimated over £460,000 was lost to “Hi Mum” scams in 2023, according to National Fraud Intelligence Bureau and Action Fraud.
Mandy Lamb, Managing Director, UK&I at Visa, said: “Fraudsters impersonating friends and family members prey on the goodwill of their victims, often causing emotional and financial distress. Falling victim to fraud can be devastating in any circumstances, and we urge people to remain vigilant this Mother’s Day to any messages or contact from unknown numbers.
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“If you’re unsure that a contact is genuine, try reaching out to them over another platform to confirm if they are trying to get in touch. We would also suggest that anyone who thinks they may have fallen victim to contact their bank as soon as possible.”
Top tips for preventing fraud:
Check the person is who they say they are
Be wary of unexpected contact
Stop and think
How to report scams
If you suspect a scammer is calling you, hang up immediately and search for the contact details online of the place you're supposedly being called from. Never call back the number provided by the caller.
Contact your bank straight away if you think a fraudster has got access to your account. You can call the 159 hotline, which will connect you to your bank.
Passwords that have been leaked or compromised should be changed immediately. Make sure you report scams and fraud to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040, or through the Action Fraud website. If you're in Scotland, report a scam through Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000 or on the Advice Direct Scotland website.
You can also report scams to Police Scotland on 101. For scam emails, forward them to [email protected], and for scam text messages, forward them to 7726 for free. You can report dodgy websites to the National Cyber Security Centre.
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