All UK smartphone users placed on alert and told to check for urgent text

UK phone owners must stay alert and watch out for a worrying new text that appears to be circulating. The new message uses an old trick that remains hugely popular with scammers, and getting caught out could leave some seriously out of pocket. As spotted by the team at Report Fraud, UK iPhone and Android users are receiving texts that suggest family members are struggling in the recent hot weather.

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"Hi mum, I’m so hot and stressed. Mum, please text me on (new number) it's urgent.” Once the initial contact is made, the cyber crooks may then ask for money to be sent to an account.

This type of scam is often highly effective, as parents hand over cash out of worry for their children. It's now vital that everyone stays alert and thinks twice before replying to messages that suddenly appear out of the blue.

If you do receive a message, it's vital to call the family member's actual number in your contacts and check they are OK. If they are the report the message immediatley as this wil stop others being targeted.

Here are three rules to follow if you get a text.

Of course, this isn't the first time scammers have used the infamous "Hi mum, text" message trick.

A new “Hi mum / Hi dad” text is circulating, using the UK heatwave as a hook.

Message may say: “I’m so hot and stressed mum, text me on [new number]”

❌ Don’t reply
✅ Contact your loved one on their usual number
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If you've never heard of this scam before, it's easy to see why some are being caught out. The threat usually starts with a text that simply says, "Hi, mum" or "Hi dad".

Once the victim responds, the online thieves try to trick them into handing over money by pretending to be a family member in trouble.

It may sound far-fetched, but millions of pounds have been handed to hackers using this tactic, which is designed to feel trustworthy.

The follow-up texts sent pile on the pressure, often saying the situation is urgent, to get people to act before they can think twice.

Action Fraud recently reported that over £220,000 was lost in the UK alone between 2023 and 2025 to ‘Hi Mum’ attacks.

So, beware, stay alert and think twice before replying to a message.