Toowoomba woman lost $1800 to ‘Hi Mum’ text message scam

In first seven months of 2022 more than 1150 Australians have lost a staggering $2.6 million to this nasty scam that plays on a mother’s innate care for their children. Now a Toowoomba mum has spoken out to save others from falling victim.

When Joan* received a text message claiming to be from her daughter she immediately went into mum-mode.

“Mum, save this temporary number as I have dropped my phone in the toilet (yes toilet, it’s basically phone wrecked, ordered a new sim,” the message said.

Believing it was legitimate, Joan replied and offered what help she could and knowing that her daughter was about to leave on a trip she offered to pay some of her bills, in part because her ‘daughter’ claimed she could not access her accounts without her phone.

It wasn’t until the pair spoke the next day that Joan realised she had been hoodwinked.

Joan was hit with the sobering realisation that the texts were from scammers and that she had just handed over $1800 to thieves.

“I thought I was smart and took lots of precautions but was not prepared for this when you get a message starting ‘Mum.’” she said.

“My day was spent speaking to the bank and then being told unfortunately because I authorised the payment there as little chance to recoup the loss.

“They would have their money and probably distribute it between several accounts.

“Telstra was useless except to say as my daughter was with Optus her phone details were probably compromised.”

Scamwatch reported 1050 Australians have lost about $2.6 million to the ‘Hi Mum’ scam from January to July this year.

About two thirds of ‘Hi Mum’ scam victims are women aged 55 and over.

They have lost a combined $1.4 million.

Impersonating family members, the scammers claim they have lost or damaged their phone and are making contact from a new number.

After developing a rapport, the scammers ask money to pay an urgent bill or replace the phone.

According to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission CEO Delia Rickard some messages will simply say “it’s me,” while in other cases the scammers appear to have contact information and use the name of the person they are impersonating.

“If you’re contacted by someone claiming to be your son, daughter, relative or friend, start by calling them on the number already stored in your phone to confirm if it’s no longer in use,” she said.

“If they pick up – you know it’s a scam,” Ms Rickard said.

“If unable to make contact, you should try a secondary contact method to verify who you’re speaking to.

“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.”

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

Joan was embarrassed about falling victim to the scam but she said wanted to tell her story to warn other mothers who may let their hearts get the better of their heads.

“It was that line that the phone had fallen in the toilet that got me,” she said.

“I had done the same thing a few years ago while at work.

“I wonder how many like me that have received messages from children starting with ‘Mum.’”.

*Real name was withheld to protect her identity.