Family Impersonation Fraud (New Text Message Fraud – From Mum or Frm Dad)
We have been informed by Humberside Police that fraudsters are sending messages to victims’ phones claiming to be the victims’ MUM or DAD. You will receive a text message claiming to be either your mum or dad and that this is their new mobile number. Victims have texted back asking why it came from an unknown number and received a reply to say they had deleted the old number already and saved this new number, as they thought that was the right way to save their new number. There are different variants of this scam: phone broken, abroad, in hospital and many more.
The endgame for the fraudster is financial gain, and at some point during the messages, they will ask you to pay an invoice or advise you they are unable to access their internet banking and need you to send them money or send funds to an account with new details. The scam is to obtain further details from you so they can access any accounts you have online.
Reporting and Support
If you have been a victim and lost money, call 101 and report it to Humberside Police.
You can also forward the text to 7726.
Read more about this type of fraud on the Action Fraud website: https://www.actionfraud.police.uk/alert/friend-in-need-message-scam-costs-victims-almost-50000-in-three-months.
Visit fraudwatch.org.uk for more information about fraud and where to get support.
You can also sign up to receive future alerts at alerts.fraudwatch.org.uk.
Useful Leaflets
Further information – watch the video below