AI is making the 'Hi Mum' text message scam even MORE convincing: Here's how to spot it

Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴

Hi Mum Scam: Parents Urged to Watch Out for Sophisticated Fraud Tactics

The simple message “Hi Mum” might seem innocuous, a typical greeting from a child. However, this familiar phrase is increasingly the starting point for cunning scams targeting parents. Fraudsters are exploiting parental instincts through “Hi Mum” scams, and similar “Hi Dad” ploys, aiming to deceive and extract money. These scams, a form of authorised push payment (APP) fraud, are becoming alarmingly prevalent, with significant numbers of individuals being targeted and falling victim to these deceptive practices. Stay vigilant against parent scams and learn how to protect yourself from fraud.

Reports indicate that a considerable percentage of the population has been targeted by these scams, with a notable portion of recipients unfortunately becoming victims of financial fraud. APP scams, like the “Hi Mum” con, represent a substantial and growing threat. A significant majority of adults have encountered APP scams, highlighting the widespread nature of this fraudulent activity.

In these scams, criminals impersonate a child to gain the parent’s trust and then manipulate them into sending money, often under the guise of urgent financial needs. Worryingly, scammers are now leveraging advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance their deception, creating fake calls and videos that convincingly mimic the victim’s child.

Mandy Lamb, a senior executive at Visa UK & Ireland, warns about the manipulative nature of these schemes, especially around emotionally charged periods like Mother’s Day. She stated, “Fraudsters are increasingly using emotional manipulation, particularly around special occasions like Mother’s Day, to exploit people.”

Lamb further explained the mechanics of the “Hi Mum” scam: “The ‘Hi Mum’ scam targets individuals by impersonating family members in distress and requesting money in an urgent situation. These scams are especially cruel because they exploit a parent’s instinct to help their child, using panic and urgency to manipulate victims.”

The initial contact is often deceptively simple, as Lamb describes: “It all starts with a simple message or call, something along the lines of ‘Hi Mum, my phone broke and this is my new number,’ and before you know it, they are saying they can’t access their bank account, and asking for money.”

Claiming a broken phone provides a plausible reason for using a new number and for being unable to access online banking to handle payments or bills. In some instances, scammers deliberately prolong the interaction to cultivate trust. This tactic often involves persuading the parent to save the new number and delete the genuine contact details.

Lamb highlights the sophistication of these fraudsters: “The scammers who use this approach are clever, building trust and rapport with the victim over the course of a few days to establish credibility,” she noted.

Evolving Scam Techniques: The Rise of AI Deepfakes

While “Hi Mum” scams are not new, the integration of artificial intelligence by fraudsters has significantly escalated the threat. It’s becoming increasingly challenging to differentiate between a genuine communication and a sophisticated scam. Scammers now employ AI to generate highly realistic voice and video recordings, even utilizing real-time deepfake technology to convincingly imitate a child’s appearance and voice during calls. These AI scams are a growing concern.

Lamb emphasized the impact of AI: “AI is making it easier for fraudsters to create ever more sophisticated and believable scams, and deepfakes are a powerful weapon in a fraudster’s arsenal. AI-generated voices and hyper-realistic videos make it harder than ever to tell real from fake, turning once obvious scams into convincing deceptions.”

She urged caution: “With AI and deepfake technology making scams more convincing through voice and video cloning, we urge people to remain vigilant about messages or contact from unknown sources.”

Concerningly, a large proportion of individuals express doubts about their family’s ability to spot a deepfake scam. A significant percentage believe AI will make voice impersonations increasingly difficult to detect, indicating a growing awareness of the sophisticated nature of these fraud tactics.

Lamb advises immediate verification and action: “When you receive a message from an unfamiliar number or something feels off, verify it through another platform. If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to this type of scam, take action immediately by contacting your bank to report it.”

Protecting Yourself: How to Avoid “Hi Mum” Scams

Identifying a scam early can be challenging, especially when emotions are involved and the message appears to be from your child. Even if the contact seems to be from a new number due to a lost or broken phone, verification is crucial. Always attempt to contact your child directly via their known phone number to confirm the communication’s legitimacy.

Often, scam messages lack a personal touch, omitting the child’s name because the fraudster is unaware of it. This, combined with an unknown number, should raise immediate suspicion and act as a scam warning sign.

However, the accessibility of personal information online and on social media means scammers can gather details to convincingly impersonate your child, making detection harder. Another key indicator of a scam is the sense of urgency conveyed by the sender. Scammers intentionally create a sense of panic to prevent victims from thinking clearly and critically about the situation.

Lamb reiterates the importance of caution: “The best way to stay safe? Slow down and verify through a different channel of contact.”

Under no circumstances should you send money to an unfamiliar contact who requests it. Be wary of any financial requests from unknown numbers.

While AI technology is advancing, it still possesses detectable characteristics. Lamb advises vigilance: “Watch out for unusual expressions, unnatural eye movements, strange facial expressions, or robotic-sounding voices that don’t match lip movements. If body language feels off or shadows and lighting appear unnatural, trust your instincts.” By being aware of these tell-tale signs and practicing caution, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to these parent scams.