Cunning new detail in twisted ‘hi mum’ scam revealed

Scammers are now targeting kids through a twisted new version of “hi mum” scam which is catching Australians off guard.

Scammers have found a new way to con Australians out of their hard-earned money.

In a spiteful twist to the “hi mum” scam - which sees fraudsters message victims pretending to be a member of their family in need of cash - a new text scam sees swindlers use ID technology to con their recipients.

Based on a number of reports, the SMS comes from ‘mum’ rather than a phone number, with the text asking the receiver to send them money to a bank account.

“I’m at the petrol station and bought the wrong card with me. Can you please send me 150. I will pay you back when I get home,” an example of the text, which was posted to Facebook, reads.

The scammer also provided a BSB and account number for the funds to be transferred into.

Scammers are asking recipients to send money to a bank account. Picture: Facebook / Louise McAvennie

Meanwhile another recipient received a similar text, but this time “mum” needed money to shop at Woolworths.

But on closer inspection, the receiver of the text noticed the contact was different to the way she stores her mum’s information on her phone.

“New scam alert!! Was not my mum that isn’t how her name is in my phone of her details. Nice try scammers,” the receiver of the text posted to Facebook.

Those who received the scam also reported that when they tried to reply to the contact, their message failed to go through.

“Luckily my mum doesn’t drive anymore so I know it wasn’t her and secondly there was no option to call or reply to (the) message,” another recipient said.

Scammers claim to be at woolworths, coles or petrol stations but have brought the wrong card with them so can't pay. Picture: Facebook / Sue Sutton Goetze

This revamped version of the “hi mum” scam comes after more than 1150 Australians were conned by its predecessor in the first seven months of this year.

The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) said while such scams have been around for months, most reports occurred in June and July, with $2.6 million lost to the fraudulent texts to date.

“We have seen an explosion in the number of ‘Hi Mum’ scams in the past couple of months, and so we are warning Australians to be very wary of messages from unknown numbers claiming to be from their children, parents, relatives or friends,” ACCC deputy chair Delia Rickard said.

“Scammers will stop at nothing to get your personal details or money and this particular scam is designed to pull your heartstrings. It’s important to stop and think if you get a message, especially on WhatsApp, because chances are it’s not your family member or friend – it’s a scammer.”

It comes after more than $2.6 million was lost to the 'hi mum' scam. Picture: Facebook / Lynne McKenzie

Ms Rickard advises those who receive a suspicious text claiming to be from their parent, child, relative or friend, to first contact them on the number already stored on the phone to confirm whether the number is still in use.

If they don’t pick up, it’s recommended that a second call is made to their partner, friend or someone else who may be in regular contact with them to see if their phone is working.

“If you still can’t contact your family member or friend, consider asking a personal question a scammer couldn’t know the answer to, so you know the person you are speaking to is who they say they are,” Ms Rickard said.

“Above all, never send money without being absolutely sure who you are sending it to.”

The ACCC is calling on those who have received the scam, regardless of whether they have lost money, to report it to Scamwatch.

For more information on what you should do if you’re a victim of a scam, head to Scamwatch’s website.

News.com.au has reached out to ACCC for further comment on the latest family impersonation scam.

Originally published as Cunning new detail in twisted ‘hi mum’ scam revealed