The “Hi Mom, new number” scam

A message from an unknown number says it's your son or daughter with a new phone. Soon they need money. Here's how to check before you send anything.

Scam guide · Updated September 30, 2026

How it goes

It starts warm and casual, so it doesn't feel like a scam at all.

Hi Mom, it's me. I dropped my phone and this is my new number, you can delete the old one. Text me here when you see this xA typical opener, recreated from public warnings.

After some friendly back-and-forth comes the request: a bill they can't pay because their banking app is locked on the “new phone.” Could you cover it just this once? The payment usually has to go somewhere unusual — a friend's account, a payment app, gift cards or crypto.

The FTC says family emergency scams lean on urgency, secrecy (“don't tell Dad”) and payment methods that are hard to trace. Some now use AI-cloned voices on calls too. (FTC)

Signs it's fake

What to do

  1. Don't send money from the new number's instructions.
  2. Call your child on their old number — the one you already trust. In most cases, they answer and have no idea what you're talking about.
  3. Ask something only they would know if you can't reach them.
  4. Tell someone else in the family, even if the message asked you not to.
  5. Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov and block the number.

If you already sent money

Contact the bank, payment app or gift card company right away and tell them it was a scam. Speed matters — some transfers can be stopped if you act quickly.

A good family habit

Agree on a simple rule now: nobody in the family ever asks for money by text from a new number without a phone call. It takes the pressure out of these moments for everyone.

Not sure about a message you got?

Share the text, email or voicemail to Shieldr and get a plain-English verdict — safe, suspicious or scam — with the reasons it spotted. It's one more check before you tap anything, not a guarantee.

Get Shieldr on the App Store

Common questions

How did they know I have a child?

Often they don't — the same message is sent to thousands of numbers. Some use details from social media.

What if they won't answer a call?

That's a strong sign it's a scam. Call your child on the number you already had.

Where do I report it?

At reportfraud.ftc.gov, and with your state attorney general.

Related: how to report a scam text, step by step.

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