Vodafone is warning parents about a rise in “Hi Mum/Hi Dad” scams, with new research showing one in seven Australians have been targeted in the past year.
Despite this, almost half remain unaware of the scam, which involves fraudsters posing as children over text and claiming they’ve lost their phone and need urgent financial help.
The scammers pressure parents to transfer money quickly, often using emotional language to create panic. Experts advise families to stay cautious: don’t respond to messages from unknown numbers, call the loved one directly using a saved contact, and ask a personal question only they would know.
To stay informed of common scams visit the scamwatch website.
