Cyber criminals are always devising new and nefarious ways in which to scam people out of their money.
Scams that appeal the emotions or create a sense of urgency are often the simplest, and most effective.
One such trick that has been doing the rounds lately is the Hi Mom!
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The commonality of this scam is alarming and is believed to have already cost the public millions of dollars.
What Is the Hi Mom Scam?
The conversation will quickly progress to a request for money or personal information.
Requests for money can come in many forms such as gift cards, or a money transfer.
Scams that use SMS as a vector for faking identity arecommonly known as “smishing” scams.
If you receive an unsolicited SMS, it is important to verify the source.
Call your family member and speak with them directly or use their social media accounts to contact them.
If the person picks up the phone, you know the message has been sent from a scammer.
Avoid engaging with the scammer, as doing so can afford them the opportunity to employ manipulation techniques.
Never send any personal information, codes, or money to anyone unless you have verified their identity first.
Scammers often use information available publicly online to create convincing messages that appear to originate from a family member.
You may also take a proactive approach and talk to your family members.
