Australians lost $7 million to this WhatsApp text message scam: What it is and how not to become a victim – Times of India

Australians reportedly lost more than $7 million during the year to a text message scam on WhatsApp. Called “Hi Mum” scam, fraudsters pose as family and convince people to send them money. According to a report in ABC news, quoting Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC), in 2022 alone Australians have lost $7 million to this WhatsApp scam. The number has gone up 10 times since August, when ACCC first warned about the scam. “More than 1,150 Australians fell victim to the so-called “Hi Mum” scam in the first seven months of this year, with total reported losses of $2.6 million. The vast majority of these scams were reported in June and July 2022,” ACCC had said in an advisory in August 2022. The warning asked WhatsApp users to be wary of phone messages from a family member or friend claiming they need help, following a significant rise in “Hi Mum” scams in recent months.
What is this WhatsApp scam
In the “Hi Mum” or “family impersonation” scams, victims are contacted – most often through WhatsApp – by a scammer posing as a family member or friend. The scammer claims they have lost or damaged their phone and are making contact from a new number. Then, once they have developed a rapport with their target, the scammer will ask for personal information such as photos for their social media profile or money to help urgently pay a bill, contractor or replace the phone.

These requests continue the ruse of a lost or broken phone with the justification that the funds are needed because they can’t access their online banking temporarily.
Some messages will simply say “it’s me,” while in other cases the scammers appear to have contact information and use the name of the person they are impersonating.
“Scammers will stop at nothing to get your personal details or money and this particular scam is designed to pull your heartstrings. It’s important to stop and think if you get a message, especially on WhatsApp, because chances are it’s not your family member or friend – it’s a scammer,” warned ACCC.
Safety tips for WhatsApp users
WhatsApp users should always verify messages from a number they don’t recognise, to independently verify the contact. One way is to call the person they claim to be. Always call on the number of the person they claim to be. In case you are not able to contact the person, ask a personal question that you think only that person would be able to answer. As this will trap the scammer. Last but not the least, never send money without being absolutely sure who you are sending it to.
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