Beware of "Hi Mom" Scams: Tips to Identify Fake Alerts

WHO:

NY Post - The scam targets parents, specifically mothers, through deceptive text messages.

Fox News - The scam involves impersonating family members in distress.

WHAT:

NY Post - A fake family text claims a phone fell in the sink and requests the recipient to message a new number.

Fox News - The "Hi Mom" smishing scam tricks parents into replying, which escalates to requests for money or verification codes.

WHERE:

NY Post - The scam is prevalent in various locations where parents receive these deceptive texts.

WHY:

Fox News - The motivation behind the scam is to extract money or sensitive information from the victims.

HOW:

NY Post - The scam operates by creating a sense of urgency and familial concern to manipulate the recipient into responding.

Fox News - The scam escalates from an initial fake emergency text to more serious requests for financial assistance or personal information.

(UPDATED July 5, 2026 23:23 UTC)

A new scam is targeting parents, particularly mothers, through deceptive text messages that impersonate family members in distress. Victims receive a fake message claiming a phone has fallen in the sink, prompting them to reply to a new number, which then escalates to requests for money or sensitive information. This scam creates a sense of urgency and familial concern, manipulating recipients into responding and ultimately extracting their personal details or funds.