Millions of dollars lost to ‘Hi Mum’ scams so far this year

Over 1000 Aussies have fallen prey to “family impersonation” scams this year, with some people handing over eye-watering amounts of money.

The amount of money Australians have lost to the new “Hi Mum” phone scam has been revealed.

The notorious scam has exploded in recent months, tricking thousands of Aussies into coughing up millions of dollars.

More than 1150 people nationwide have fallen victim to “family impersonation” or “Hi Mum” scams so far this year, handing over a combined $2.6 million to fraudsters who are targeting parents.

Victims are contacted by a scammer – usually on WhatsApp – posing as a family member or friend and will then claim they have lost or damaged their phone and are making contact from a new number.

Screenshots of a victim of the ‘Hi mum’ scam. Picture: Supplied

More than 1150 people nationwide have fallen victim to ‘family impersonation’ scams so far this year. Picture: Supplied

Once the scammer builds trust, they will ask for personal information and money to help urgently pay a bill, contractor or to replace the phone, promising to return the money the following day.

Some fraudsters will say “it’s me,” while others will use the name of the person they are impersonating.

“We have seen an explosion in the number of ‘Hi Mum’ scams in the past couple of months, 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.

“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.”

The ACCC is urging people who receive suspicious messages from a number they don’t recognise, to independently verify the contact.

To report a scam, go to ww.scamwatch.gov.au

Originally published as Millions of dollars lost to ‘Hi Mum’ scams so far this year