We have recently become aware of an increase in a phishing scam, often known as ‘Hi Mum’ and some Cranleigh parents have received messages. The scam involves the impersonation of your children, family members or friends and can be conducted through text message or an instant messaging service, such as WhatsApp.
What Is The ‘Hi Mum’ Scam?
- Potential victims are contacted by a scammer posing as a family member or a friend. This is usually done via a messaging service like WhatsApp or SMS text messages
- The scammer will claim that they have lost or damaged their phone (this explains why they’re contacting from a different number) and ask you to message them on a different number
- After a few messages have been exchanged in order to build a rapport, the scammer will ask for personal information. This might including asking you to send money to urgently help pay a bill/settle a debt or to replace their phone or even photographs (for their social media profile)
- These requests continue the ruse of a lost or broken phone, with the justification that the funds are needed because they can’t access their online banking temporarily or pay with their phone
The ‘end game’ for the scammers is to access your banking and/or private information, which they can then use for their own financial gain.
The main signs are as follows -
- Unknown number
- Does not use names
- Saying their phone is lost or broken
- Asking you to contact them on a brand new number
Please see follow this link or scan the QR code below for more information and what to do if you are targeted.
The best advice is to call your child to check if it's real rather than replying (though we know teenagers don't pick up phones often!). You can also call the School who will be able to also be able to confirm with your child if there is an issue.