“Hi Mum” scams and impersonation texts are becoming increasingly common in the UK. They rely on emotional triggers, urgency, and the natural instinct to help a loved one. This story is a reminder that even when a message sounds like family, verifying a request through a direct phone call can prevent fraud.

By sharing this experience, the contributor hopes to warn others and encourage people to take a moment to Stop, Check, Ask, Monitor before acting.

The Story

In mid-November 2025, one individual in the UK received what initially seemed like an ordinary text message:

“Hi mum, this is my new number.”

It arrived the day after her son had genuinely bought a new phone — an unfortunate coincidence that made the message feel believable. Although surprised that he had changed his number so quickly, she replied politely, thanking him for letting her know.

A second message followed shortly afterwards. The sender — who she believed to be her son — asked where she was and whether she could do him a favour. When she agreed, the request came:

He claimed he was still setting up his new phone and didn’t yet have access to his banking app. He had a bill that needed paying urgently. Could she pay it for him, and he would give her the cash back in the morning?

That was the moment she paused. Something didn’t feel right. It was out of character, and the urgency didn’t match how her son would usually behave. She replied asking him to ring her — and received no response.

Trusting her instincts, she phoned her son’s wife. The truth came quickly:
He hadn’t changed his number at all.

Realising it was a scam, she immediately blocked the number.

The Outcome

Successfully blocked the scammer’s number.

Reported the message as a scam.

No money was lost.

Lessons Learned

Always speak to the person directly before sending money, even if a message seems believable.

Scammers often use familiar, casual language to sound convincing.

Coincidence can make a scam seem real — trust your instincts if something feels “off”.

Final Thoughts

The scam was particularly effective at first because of timing — her son had genuinely just changed his phone, making the “new number” message plausible. However, he would never have made an urgent request like that, and his wife had full access to their finances, making the situation even more unrealistic once checked.

BeScamAware Says: Stop · Check · Ask · Monitor

To protect yourself online, remember the SCAM steps:

Stop – Take a moment before clicking links or sharing information.

Check – Verify that any links or accounts are genuine.

Ask – Speak to someone you trust if something feels suspicious.

Monitor – Keep an eye on your accounts and update passwords regularly.

Stay alert, stay safe — and remember, by sharing your story, you help others protect themselves too.