What are the red flags of this scam?

The message comes from a number not in your contacts — real children who break their phone still have someone nearby who can call from a known number • They say they cannot take a voice call on the new number right now — this prevents you verifying the voice • They ask for money to a bank account belonging to a friend, not to their own account — real emergencies go to the family member directly • They ask you to act urgently and keep it quiet from other family members • The WhatsApp display name or photo may be copied from your real child's profile to add false authenticity

What should I do if this happened to me?

Before doing anything, call your child on their original number — even if you just get voicemail, leave a message. If they really lost their phone you will find out through a different channel. • Agree a family safe word with your children now that scammers cannot know — use it to verify any unusual money requests. • Never transfer money to an account you have not used before based on a text request alone, even if the message seems convincing. • If you have already sent money, contact your bank immediately on the number on the back of your card and ask them to recall the payment. • Report to Report Fraud at https://www.reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

HIGH other Last reported: 20 Sept 2026 Share

"Hi Mum / Hi Dad" — a WhatsApp message claims to be your child on a new number needing urgent money

Q: Is this a scam?

Yes. This is a documented scam pattern. A WhatsApp message from an unknown number opens with "Hi Mum" or "Hi Dad, it's me." The sender claims their phone was lost or broken and this is a new number. After brief chat, they ask you to urgently transfer money for a bill, deposit, or emergency to a bank account "a friend is lending me". The money goes straight to a fraudster.

A WhatsApp message from an unknown number opens with "Hi Mum" or "Hi Dad, it's me." The sender claims their phone was lost or broken and this is a new number. After brief chat, they ask you to urgently transfer money for a bill, deposit, or emergency to a bank account "a friend is lending me". The money goes straight to a fraudster.

Also known as: Hi Mum WhatsApp scam, Hi Dad WhatsApp scam, family emergency WhatsApp scam, new number mum dad text, WhatsApp mum and dad fraud

Already happened to you? Do this in the next few minutes

1 Call your bank or card's fraud line right now. Use the number on the back of your card — not any number from the message or caller. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment and freeze the account.
2 If you paid by gift card, wire, or an app (Zelle, Venmo, Cash App): contact that company immediately and report it as fraud. Acting fast sometimes recovers the money.
3 Report to the FBI at ic3.gov and the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The sooner, the better.

What to do right now

1 Before doing anything, call your child on their original number — even if you just get voicemail, leave a message. If they really lost their phone you will find out through a different channel.
2 Agree a family safe word with your children now that scammers cannot know — use it to verify any unusual money requests.
3 Never transfer money to an account you have not used before based on a text request alone, even if the message seems convincing.
4 If you have already sent money, contact your bank immediately on the number on the back of your card and ask them to recall the payment.
5 Report to Report Fraud at https://www.reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040.

Red flags

⚠ The message comes from a number not in your contacts — real children who break their phone still have someone nearby who can call from a known number
⚠ They say they cannot take a voice call on the new number right now — this prevents you verifying the voice
⚠ They ask for money to a bank account belonging to a friend, not to their own account — real emergencies go to the family member directly
⚠ They ask you to act urgently and keep it quiet from other family members
⚠ The WhatsApp display name or photo may be copied from your real child's profile to add false authenticity

Known variants

AI voice clone variant: WhatsApp voice note or call uses AI audio cloned from your child's social media. A second caller (fake solicitor or doctor) coordinates payment. UK families lost nearly £500,000; single losses of £5,000–£40,000. Verify by hanging up and calling the real number — voice alone is no longer reliable proof.

Last seen: 9/20/2026

Already happened to you? Do this in the next few minutes

What to do right now

Red flags

Known variants

Sources