“Hi Mum, I Lost My Phone” Family Emergency Text Scam

A text from a new number claims to be your child or relative who needs money urgently. Learn how the family emergency scam works.

By the Explain My Paper team · Updated October 20, 2026

What the message looks like

Scam messages change all the time, but they often look something like this example (the names and links are made up):

How the scam works

A message arrives from an unknown number, often on a messaging app, claiming to be your son, daughter or another relative. They say they lost or broke their phone. After some friendly chat, they ask for help paying an urgent bill, rent or a fine, and give you bank details that belong to someone else. Some versions use a voice message, and some even use AI to imitate a familiar voice.

Warning signs

• A new number and a story about a lost or broken phone.
• They don’t use your name, or avoid details only your relative would know.
• They can’t talk on the phone right now, only by text.
• Urgency and secrecy: it must be today, and “don’t tell Dad.”
• A request to pay someone else’s account “because mine is blocked.”

What to do

1. Don’t send money.
2. Call your relative on their old, known number, or contact another family member to check.
3. Ask a question only the real person would know the answer to.
4. Agree on a family code word in advance for real emergencies.

If you already sent money

Call your bank immediately using the official number and ask them to try to stop or recall the payment. Report the number to the messaging app and your country’s fraud reporting service.

Related

• How to spot a scam letter, email or text message
• Tax Refund and Tax Office Scam Messages
• Job Offer Text Scam: “Earn Money From Home”
• Package Delivery Text Scam: “Pay a Redelivery Fee”