Medium riskText Message

Family Emergency Text Scam

This scam sends a text from an unknown number claiming to be your child or relative who lost their phone, then urgently asks you to pay a bill or send money.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Impersonation scam
Main red flag
A message from an unknown number saying 'this is my new number' and quickly asking for money.
What to do first
Do not send money. Call your relative on their known number to confirm before doing anything.

What to know first

This scam sends a text from an unknown number claiming to be your child or relative who lost their phone, then urgently asks you to pay a bill or send money.

Text-message scams, known as "smishing", reach you directly on your phone where a link is only a tap away and messages feel personal and urgent. They impersonate trusted senders, banks, couriers, government, or even people you know, and depend on you acting before you pause to verify.

The core pattern to watch for is clear: A message from an unknown number saying 'this is my new number' and quickly asking for money. Do not send money. Call your relative on their known number to confirm before doing anything.

Related tricks worth knowing: the Hacked Friend Help Scam and the Wrong Number Text Scam. For the wider picture, browse the Text Message Scams guides or run the message through our scam checker.

Scam statistics

$330M
reported lost to text-message scams in the US in 2022, more than double the year before
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
#1
fake bank fraud alerts were the most-reported text scam type in 2022
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Tell-tale red flags

  • A message from an unknown number claiming to be a close relative with a 'new number'
  • A reason they cannot talk or take a call, such as a broken or lost phone
  • An urgent request to pay a bill or transfer money quickly
  • Pressure to keep it between you and not mention it to others
  • A request to send money to a new or unfamiliar account or person

Staying safe

  • Call your relative on their usual, known number to confirm it is really them
  • Ask a question only the real person would know before sending anything
  • Do not transfer money until you have verified who you are talking to
  • Report the message to your bank if you have paid, and to your anti-fraud centre

How it usually reads

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Hi Mum, I dropped my phone down the toilet so this is my new number. I can't log in to my banking, can you pay an urgent bill for me? I'll pay you back tomorrow x'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What to notice: A message from an unknown number saying 'this is my new number' and quickly asking for money.

Steps if you already acted

  • If you sent money, contact your bank immediately to try to stop or recall the payment
  • Save the messages and the sender's number as evidence
  • Warn other family members so they are not targeted with the same story
  • Report the scam to your bank and your national anti-fraud centre

Common mistakes

  • Do not send money based only on a text from an unknown number
  • Do not save the new number as your relative until you have confirmed it
  • Do not feel rushed by urgency or pleas to keep it secret

Scams like this one

High risk Social Media

Hacked Friend Help Scam

A message arrives from a friend's account asking for money, a verification code, or to click a link. In reality the friend's account has been taken over, and the scammer is using your trust in them to reach you.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Text Message

Wrong Number Text Scam

This scam starts with a friendly 'wrong number' text, builds a casual conversation over time, and eventually steers you toward a fake investment.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Social Media

Romance Scam DM

This scam builds an online romantic relationship through messages, then invents an emergency or investment to ask for money, while always avoiding meeting in person.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Your questions answered

Why is this called the 'Hi Mum' scam?
Many of these messages begin with 'Hi Mum' or 'Hi Dad' and claim the sender has a new number. The friendly opening is designed to lower your guard before the request for money.
How do scammers know I am a parent?
Often they do not. The same generic message is sent to many people, relying on some recipients having a child or relative the story could fit. The wording stays vague on purpose.
How can I be sure it is really my relative?
Call them on the number you already have saved, or ask something only they would know. Scammers usually avoid voice calls and cannot answer personal questions correctly.
What if I already sent money?
Contact your bank right away to report it and try to recall the payment, and keep the messages as evidence. The sooner you act, the better the chance of recovering funds.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.