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voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
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"Hello Mum/Dad" WhatsApp Scams
Created: 05/05/2025
News/Events Category: General News
There has been a recent increase in 'Hello Mum/Dad' scams. This is when a scammer poses as a family member of friend and sends messages via text or WhatsApp to ask you to transfer money to pay an urgent bill or invoice.
In one example, a scammer impersonated the recipient's son and said they have a new phone number. They include a link, supposedly to contact them via WhatsApp. However, the link leads to a malicious site which asks for personal and account details.
Another woman received a WhatsApp message that seemed to be from her daughter, saying she was in trouble and asking for money urgently. The woman already had her daughter's bank details so transferred the money immediately. Her daughter then phoned to ask why the money had been transferred, at which point the woman realised the initial message had been from a scammer. Thankfully, she had not transferred money to an account provided by the scammer.
How to avoid the scam
WhatsApp advise that you should STOP, THINK and CALL if you receive an unexpected message asking you to transfer money or purchase gift cards.
Verify that it really is your friend or family member by calling them directly, or asking them to share a voice note. Only consider the request once you are certain that it's from someone you know and trust.
Don't click on links in unexpected messages. if the message says the link leads to a WhatsApp account, open your WhatsApp account to find the person's profile rather than clicking on a link.
WhatsApp advice on avoiding scams: faq.whatsapp.com/general/security-and-privacy/about-spam-and-unwanted-messages
Find out more:
- ScamShare PDF: www.tsscot.co.uk/Spotlight-WhatsApp.pdf
- Which? advice: conversation.which.co.uk/scams/whatsapp-impersonation-family-friends-new-number
What now?
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