UK smartphone users are being warned about a new text message scam circulating that targets unsuspecting individuals. The scam, known as the “Hi Mum” scam, is resurfacing and has already resulted in significant financial losses for victims.
The fraudulent scheme starts with a deceptive text message supposedly from a family member using a different phone number, capitalizing on the current summer season to appear timely. The message typically contains a plea for urgent communication and requests a response.
Upon engaging with the initial message, the scammer pretends to be in distress and eventually asks for financial assistance, often under the guise of an emergency. Exploiting the natural inclination of parents to help their children, these messages are crafted to instill panic and prompt quick action without questioning the authenticity of the situation.
To safeguard against falling victim to this scam, recipients are advised not to respond to such messages. Instead, they should reach out to their family members using verified contact information to confirm their safety. Any suspicious texts should be reported promptly to the appropriate authorities, such as forwarding them to 7726, the designated spam reporting service in the UK.
While the scam may appear obvious in hindsight, its emotional manipulation has proven effective, resulting in substantial financial losses totaling over £220,000 from 2023 to 2025, as reported by Action Fraud. To mitigate the risk, individuals are encouraged to exercise caution when receiving unexpected messages from purported family members and verify their identity through trusted channels before taking any action.
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