TL;DR: "Hi Mum, I dropped my phone, this is my new number." After some friendly chat, "your kid" needs money for a bill, a replacement phone or a contractor, and can’t use their banking app. When the scam spiked in 2022, the ACCC said more than 1,150 Australians lost $2.6 million in seven months. Women over 55 made over two-thirds of reports, and over-55s bore 95% of losses. Beat it in seconds: call the old number.
How it goes
From the ACCC’s warning:
- A WhatsApp message from an unknown number: "Hi Mum" or "It’s me."
- They say their phone was lost or broken, so this is a new number.
- A bit of chat to build rapport.
- Then the ask: money for an urgent bill, a contractor, or a new phone.
- The excuse: they can’t access their online banking right now.
Some ask you to pay a "friend’s" account, because the child’s own account is "frozen". That detail alone should stop you: a real kid’s bank problem is never solved by paying a stranger.
A real Australian case
SBS reported on a Perth mother whose "daughter", supposedly overseas, messaged from a new number after "water damage" to her phone. The scammer knew details that fitted the daughter’s life and said her bank account was frozen for 48 hours. Over three transfers she sent just under $10,000 before a family member noticed something was off. After SBS contacted her bank, she was told the money would be refunded.
Notice how ordinary each step was. No threats, no prize. Just a child who needed help.
Who it hits
| ACCC figure (Jan–Jul 2022) | Number |
|---|---|
| Victims | 1,150+ |
| Losses | $2.6 million |
| Reports from women over 55 | Over two-thirds (losses over $1.4m) |
| Share of reports from over-55s | 82% |
| Share of losses from over-55s | 95% |
Most reports landed in June and July 2022, which is when the scam took off in Australia. It hasn’t gone away; the same script turns up as "Hi Dad", "Hi Nan" and messages from a "friend".
The scam works because it’s built on love, not greed. You’re not chasing a prize. You’re helping your kid. That’s a much harder instinct to override. As the ACCC’s then-Deputy Chair put it: "It’s designed to pull your heartstrings."
The 30-second check
- Call the number already saved in your phone. If the old number still works, the "new number" story is false.
- No answer? Try another way: a partner, sibling, flatmate, work.
- Ask a personal question only they’d know (not "what’s your birthday", which is in data breaches; try "what did we eat last Christmas?").
- The ACCC’s rule: never send money unless you’re absolutely sure who it’s going to.
A family code word
Agree on a silly word or phrase with your family. If "you" text asking for money, the real you will know it. The scammer won’t. It costs nothing and it’s oddly fun.
If you’ve already paid
- Call your bank immediately and ask them to stop or recall the payment. Speed matters.
- Report to Scamwatch, even if you didn’t lose money.
- If you shared personal info or photos, contact IDCARE on 1800 595 160.
- Block and report the number in WhatsApp.
- Don’t feel stupid. These scams are built by professionals to beat good people.
Why they had your number
Scammers often work through leaked phone numbers from breaches. A free exposure check shows where your number or email has appeared. AI voice cloning is the next step for this scam; read how voice cloning scams work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Hi Mum scam?
A scammer messages pretending to be your child on a new number, then asks for money for an urgent bill or new phone, often to a "friend’s" account.
How much have Australians lost to Hi Mum scams?
The ACCC reported more than 1,150 victims lost $2.6 million in the first seven months of 2022.
How do I check if a Hi Mum message is real?
Call your child on the number already saved in your phone, or contact them another way. If the old number works, it’s a scam.
What should I do if I paid a Hi Mum scammer?
Call your bank immediately, report it to Scamwatch and contact IDCARE if you shared personal information.