“Hey Mum / Hey Dad” Scam – What You Need to Know

A common phishing tactic involve scammers pretending to be your child or another close family member. They usually claim:

• They’ve lost their phone

• They’ve broken their phone

• They’re using a “temporary number”

• They need urgent help paying a bill, rent, or replacing the phone

• They cannot access their bank account

See two examples below of a ‘Hey Mum/Dad’ scam.

How to Protect Yourself

• Stop and check – contact your child/family member on their usual number

• Don’t transfer money to anyone claiming to be a family member without verifying their identity

• Never share OTPs, passwords or security codes

• Avoid clicking links in unexpected emails or messages

• Only enter personal details through official websites or apps

If something feels urgent or unusual, that’s a red flag.