"Hi Mum, this is my new number"

A message from your child, from an unknown number. Soon after comes an urgent request for money.

1How they do it

1. You get a WhatsApp or text message: "Hi Mum, my phone is broken, this is my new number. Can you delete the old one?"
2. They chat normally for a while, so it feels real. Sometimes they even know your child's name, from social media.
3. Then comes the request: "I urgently need to pay a bill but my banking app doesn't work on this phone yet. Could you do it for me? I'll pay you back tomorrow."
4. They send an account number and put on the pressure: "It has to be done today."

2A real example

"Hey Dad, new number! Can you transfer 1,480 euros to BE68 ... ? It's the garage bill, has to be paid today or there's a fine. I'll explain later."

3How to spot it

• A new number and straight away a request for money.
• They don't want to call ("my microphone is broken").
• The account number is in someone else's name.

4How to protect yourself

• Call your child on their old number, or ask a question only the two of you know.
• Agree on a code word within the family.
• Never pay for someone else without hearing their voice.

Suspicious number, email or website? Check it or report it.

Examples have been made unrecognisable. Names and numbers in the examples are made up.

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