Day 12 – The “Help a Friend in Need” Scam
When Urgency Overrides Instinct
It’s a quiet evening. The tree lights are twinkling, the kettle’s on, and your phone buzzes with a message from someone you know, a friend, a sibling, a colleague.
“Hey, I need your help urgently… can you send me some money?”
Your heart jumps. They sound desperate. They might say their phone is broken, their wallet was stolen, or they’re stuck abroad.
But before you send anything, remember: it might not be them.
This is one of the fastest-growing scams at Christmas, preying on our instinct to help those we care about.
How the Scam Works
Scammers break into social media or messaging accounts, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, or create convincing clones of them. They then message the victim’s contacts pretending to be them.
The message usually:
- feels urgent,
- uses emotional appeal,
- and asks for money, vouchers, or bank transfers.
They may say:
“My phone died, message me here.”
“I can’t access my account, can you pay this bill for me?”
“Please don’t call, I’m embarrassed.”
By creating an emotional, pressured moment, scammers stop you from pausing to think.
Warning Signs
- The person claims they can’t talk or can’t video call.
- They ask for money, gift cards, or bank transfers.
- Their messages feel rushed, stressed, or not quite like their usual tone.
- The number or account messaging you is unfamiliar.
How to Stay Safe
- Stop — don’t reply immediately.
- Check by calling the real person on a number you already have saved.
- Ask a personal question only they would know (scammers will avoid answering).
- Monitor your own accounts, if a friend has been hacked, yours could be targeted too.
Never send money based on a message alone. Verification takes seconds; losing money takes seconds too.
A Festive Reminder
Christmas is built around kindness, connection, and generosity. Scammers exploit all three. But a quick check-in, a phone call, a voice message, a pause, can stop a scammer in their tracks.
This season, protect your circle by remembering to Stop • Check • Ask • Monitor (SCAM) every time something feels off.
And with that, you’ve completed The 12 Scams of Christmas.
Thank you for helping spread awareness and keeping others safe.
View other days of the 12 Scams of Christmas
BeScamAware.org — Stay alert, stay safe.