SMS Scams
14 November, 2023Welcome to the second day of our International Fraud Awareness Week. Today, we turn our attention to an increasingly common type of fraud: the ‘Dear Mum/Dad’ scam.
This scam involves fraudsters posing as family members, typically through SMS or WhatsApp messages, in an attempt to manipulate victims into transferring money. The criminals often pretend to be one of your children, claiming they’re texting from a new number because their phone has been lost or damaged. They then ask you to urgently transfer money to help them buy a new phone or pay a bill.
Here’s what you need to know:
Recognize the signs:
These scams usually start with a friendly “Hello Mum” or “Hello Dad” and soon escalate to requests for urgent money transfers. Be wary if the message comes from an unknown number or if the request seems out of character for your child.
Don’t rush to respond:
Scammers thrive on creating a sense of urgency to prevent you from thinking clearly. Always take a moment to verify any unusual requests, even if they seem to come from a loved one.
Verify through other means:
If you receive such a message, reach out to your child or family member through a different channel – like a phone call or a separate messaging app – to confirm the situation.
Stay informed:
Criminals can obtain databases of names, phone numbers, and dates of birth through the dark web and social media channels. Be aware of this possibility and be cautious of any unexpected messages, even if they use familiar names.
TIP: Don’t respond to messages or urgent payment requests from unknown numbers claiming to be a family member. If in doubt, speak directly with the family member to validate the request before taking any further action.
If you suspect that you’ve been targeted by a ‘Dear Mum/Dad’ scam, or if you have any concerns about your Current Account or Debit Card activity, please contact our Credit Union Card Services on +353(1)6933333 immediately.
For more detailed information, visit our card safety guidelines at https://currentaccount.ie/support/card-safety-guidelines/.
