All UK smartphone users placed on alert and told to check for urgent text
An urgent alert has been issued to millions of smartphone owners and not following advice could be costly.
UK phone owners must stay alert and watch out for a worrying 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 and need help.
"Hi mum, I’m so hot and stressed. Mum, please text me on (new number) it's urgent,” the message reads. 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, especially if it's from an unknown number.
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, then report the message immediately, as this will stop others from being targeted.
Here are three rules to follow if you get a text.
• Don’t reply
• Contact your loved one on their usual number
• Forward suspicious texts to 7726
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.
— Report Fraud (@reportfrauduk) June 25, 2026
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
?????? Forward suspicious texts to 7726 pic.twitter.com/7fLddDCdv5
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.
