WhatsApp 'Hi Mum / Hi Dad' Family Impersonation Scam Examples
A message arrives claiming to be from your child or close relative texting from a new number after losing or breaking their phone. After friendly back-and-forth to build trust, they suddenly need money urgently — for a broken phone, bail, or an emergency bill — and ask you to transfer it right away. The lever is a parent's or relative's instinct to help family in crisis without stopping to question the story. The scammer wants a fast bank transfer before you can verify the sender's identity. Always call the family member back on their known number before sending anything.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
Hi Mum, it's me. I've had to get a new phone and a new number — my old one is gone. Can you save this one? xx
Hi Dad, I'm in a bit of trouble. I dropped my phone in water and had to borrow someone's. I have an urgent bill to pay today but can't access my banking yet — could you help me out with [amount]? I'll pay you back this weekend.
Mum it's [Name]. Please don't try my old number. I'm using WhatsApp on a friend's phone. I need [amount] for a deposit on a new flat — I have to pay by today or I'll lose it. Sorry to ask like this.
Hi, it's [Name] — new number. I've got an emergency doctor's bill that has to be paid before they'll see me. Could you send [amount] to [account details]? Will explain everything when I get home.
What the scammer wants
To exploit a parent's or relative's instinct to help family in distress, extracting money through bank transfer or other payment before the victim can verify the identity of the sender.
Red flags in the message
- Message comes from an unknown number claiming to be a family member
- Explains phone is lost, broken, or new — so you cannot call to verify
- Request for money quickly follows the initial 'new number' message
- Payment requested via bank transfer, not through familiar family channels
- Story involves urgency: a bill, deposit, or medical situation today
A safe response
Call your family member on their known number, or contact them via another family member. Do not send any money until you have spoken to them directly and confirmed the request is genuine.
What not to send
- Bank transfers to an unverified account
- Gift card codes
- Any payment before verifying identity by voice call
What to do if you already replied
- Contact your bank immediately to attempt to recall the transfer
- Report the number and the message to Action Fraud or your national fraud service
- Tell other family members so they are not targeted by the same number
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot the full message or call details
- Note the sender number, email, or profile
- Save any links (without clicking) and payment details
- Record dates and times
Frequently asked questions
How can I be sure it's not really my child texting from a new number?
Call the number you already have saved for your child, or contact them through another app or a sibling or friend to confirm. A genuine relative won't mind you double-checking, but a scammer will often pressure you to act before you can verify. Never rely solely on the new number the message came from.
I already sent some money before I got suspicious — what now?
Contact your bank immediately and explain the transfer may be fraudulent; recovery depends on the payment method and how quickly you report it, as transfers can sometimes still be recalled if caught fast. Stop replying to the message and send no further money, even if they claim the first amount didn't arrive.
Should I reply and ask questions to test if it's really them?
Asking something only your real relative could answer is reasonable, but scammers often dodge with excuses like a broken screen or low battery. The safer test is contacting them through a channel you already trust — their old number, a call, or another family member — rather than continuing on the new number.
Is it safe to just block the number?
Yes, blocking and reporting the contact within WhatsApp or your messaging app is safe and recommended once you've confirmed it's not really your relative. It won't affect your real family member's ability to reach you through their genuine number or other means.