// Scams & awareness
The “hey mum” scam
What it looks like
You get a text or WhatsApp message from a number you don’t recognise:
“Hi Mum, I dropped my phone and it’s broken. This is my new number, can you save it?”
It might say Mum, Dad, Nan or Pop. It doesn’t use a name, because the scammer doesn’t know it. They’re sending the same message to thousands of people and waiting for a parent to reply.
Scamwatch calls this “family impersonation”, and it’s aimed squarely at older Australians. When it took off here in 2022, more than eight in ten reports came from people over 55, who lost 95% of the money.
How it plays out
Once you reply, the chat feels normal for a while. Then comes the problem. They need to pay a bill today, and because the phone is new, their banking app won’t work yet. Could you pay it for them? They’ll pay you back tomorrow.
The amount is usually a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, sent to an account that isn’t theirs. If you ask to call, there’s always a reason they can’t: the microphone is broken, they’re at work, the phone has no credit.
Once one payment goes through, another “bill” often follows.
Why it works
It uses your love for your family against you. Your child needs help, it’s urgent, and helping feels like the right thing to do. Nobody wants to be the parent who said no.
The giveaway
A new number, and a reason why they can’t use the old one.
They won’t, or can’t, talk on the phone.
The money goes to an account in someone else’s name. Most banks now show you the account name before a first payment. If it isn’t your child’s name, stop.
It’s urgent and needs to happen today.
What to do
Call your child on their old number. Most of the time they’ll pick up, phone working fine.
If you can’t reach them, ask a question only they would know the answer to.
Don’t send money until you’ve spoken to them, voice to voice.
Agree on a family code word that anyone asking for money has to use. Don’t rely on hearing their voice: scammers can now copy voices using AI.
Already called?
Call your bank straight away using the number on the back of your card. The sooner you call, the better the chance of stopping the payment. Then report it at scamwatch.gov.au.
// Quick tech tip
Put your medical details on your lock screen
If you’re ever unwell or in an accident, paramedics can see your key medical details on your phone without needing your passcode. It takes five minutes to set up.
On an iPhone:
Open the Health app.
Tap your picture or initials in the top right, then Medical ID.
Tap Edit, add your details (allergies, medications, conditions, blood type) and an emergency contact.
Turn on Show When Locked, then tap Done.
On an Android phone:
Open Settings.
Tap Safety & emergency (on Samsung, Safety and emergency).
Tap Medical information and fill in your details.
Go back and tap Emergency contacts to add someone.
To check it works, lock your phone, swipe up, and tap Emergency. Your details should be there.
Only add what you’d be happy for a stranger to see, since anyone holding your phone can view it.
// This week’s habit to keep
If family asks for money from a new number, call the old one first. No exceptions.
That’s it for this week.
Let me know if there's something you want to know more about. Reply to this email, I read every one, and it might help someone else too.
Until next time,
John
P.S. If you found this useful, forward it someone you care about!
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