Most of us have been caught out by a scammer at some point in our lives, whether it’s a fake email, an unexpected phone call, or an offer that just seems a little too good to be true.

While the average person can usually spot a fraudulent message from a mile away, thanks to their questionable grammar and spelling, even the most vigilant among us can be duped by cunning scammers. These digital bandits have access to cutting-edge technology that allows them to hack and manipulate text messages, making them appear as if they're coming from a loved one or trusted acquaintance.

It's a sobering reminder that no one is completely immune to the machinations of these nefarious cybercriminals.

One Australian mum narrowly avoided falling for such a scam after she received an alarming message from a fraudster posing as her child.

Sharing on Facebook, the distressed mum warned other Aussie parents after she was sent a seemingly convincing text message from the scammers pretending to be her child, who was allegedly stuck at Woolies with the wrong bank card.

One mum shared her experience after she received a text from a scammer who pretended to be her daughter who was stuck in Woolworths with no money. Credit: Facebook.

The text, which was written to appear as if it was sent by her 'daughter', read: ‘I’m at Woolworths and brought the wrong card with me. Can you please send me 200, I will pay you back when I get home.’

Fortunately, the mum knew it was a scam as she was at home at that time with her daughter; but wanted to sound the alarm as she noted that other people could easily be fooled by the attack.

She warned others to 'beware' of similar messages and urged them to never divulge their personal or financial information to anyone contacting them unsolicited.

‘Beware! You know the saying, “You can’t be in two places at once”,’ the mum wrote.

‘My daughter can prove that wrong, she is physically in the same house as me when I received the below text. Isn’t she clever.’

While many users were horrified by what they read, others said they too had been targeted with similar scams.

One person joked that their 19-year-old daughter suddenly found out about the existence of their ‘child’ thanks to one of these texts.

Another mum shared: ‘I had one of these and when I got it, my only child who is seven was sitting next to me on the couch.'

'My daughter got a message yesterday. The usual “Hey Mum, here’s my new number, blah, blah”. She cracked up, she’s 24 and wondered when she’d become a Mum. I would be concerned that people fall for this cr*p…’ one person recalled.

A third chimed in: 'I received a message a couple of weeks ago saying “send me money Mum, my car’s broken down and I need money for the tow truck”.'

Others made light of the situation, pointing out that the woman's daughter may have been a 'shapeshifter' for managing to be in two different places at once.

‘Your daughter is pretty clever being in two places at once. Clearly, the scammers are not as bright, considering you need an account name to transfer money to a bank account!’ one user said.

If you ever receive an unexpected text message from someone you know, experts suggest keeping the following tips in mind:

• If your family member is sending you a text, calling out of the blue, or messaging through social media, always double-check it’s definitely them. If you’re unsure, don’t transfer any money. A simple voice call should be enough to verify that the request is legitimate.
• Keep an eye out for red flags - does your ‘loved one’ sound out of character? Are they making unusual requests?
• Don’t send money to an account with a name you’re unfamiliar with.
• Note the number the message came from and cross-check it with your records
• Never give out your bank details or personal information.

Additionally, it’s important to be aware of the different mechanisms available for reporting and preventing fraud. Taking the right action is key to protecting yourself and other Aussies from being taken advantage of by these criminals.

If you believe you or someone you know has been the victim of a scam, it’s important to act as soon as possible. Most scams in Australia can be reported to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC). The ACSC works with other organisations like the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) to share intelligence and tackle cyber threats.

Fraud can also be reported to your local police station which can help law enforcement track these criminals down and provide vital evidence for potential criminal prosecution.

There are also several initiatives aimed at helping Australians better protect themselves from this kind of crime. The Privacy Commissioner recommends developing a ‘cyber safety plan’ which provides an easy-to-follow set of steps that can help people stay safe when using the internet. They also suggest creating strong passwords and understanding how to spot scams and fraudulent activity before they occur.

Ultimately, the key to preventing fraud is to practise online safety, to be aware of the different types of scams that exist, and to be vigilant when sharing and using information online.

Key Takeaways

• Scammers have recently been posing as people's children stuck at Woolworths with no money, asking people to transfer them money.
• The woman whose daughter was targeted was at home with her daughter at the time of the transaction and knew it was a scam.
• Many social media users responded and said they had also received similar messages, some even pretending their children had children of their own.
• Some people joked that the woman's daughter must be a shapeshifter if she was able to be in two places at once.

There you have it, folks! What are your thoughts on this story? Do you know anyone who has been a victim of a scam like this? Tell us what you think in the comments below, and remember to check out our free Cyber Safety eBook here!

 

[Ma-to-3]

Hope they got that money back, you cant do the right thing these days, so sad.

Haven’t heard but they thought it unlikely

 

[whiteyangel2002]

Yeah got my first Hey Mum sms the other day. It said that their phone was broken and they indicated their new number. My only child was sitting next to me at that moment lol. Anyway if i got something like this i would ring and make contact first.