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Family emergency / 'Hi Mom' / grandparent scam: How to Spot It & Check Your Message

A text from a 'new number' or a call (sometimes with an AI-cloned voice) says a child or grandchild is in trouble, in jail or in hospital and needs money n

🔒 Checked on your device. The message is never uploaded or saved.

Try an example:

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Common scams in the US

🚗Unpaid toll or traffic ticket text📦Package delivery / USPS redelivery scam🏦Fake bank fraud alert🏛️IRS / Social Security / police imposter💻Fake invoice / tech support refund scam💼Remote job / task scam💘Crypto investment / 'wrong number' romance scam🎁Prize, lottery or sweepstakes scam📲Zelle / Venmo / Cash App 'sent by mistake'👵Family emergency / 'Hi Mom' / grandparent scam

What is this scam?

A text from a 'new number' or a call (sometimes with an AI-cloned voice) says a child or grandchild is in trouble, in jail or in hospital and needs money now, and asks you to keep it secret.

What the message looks like (example)

Hi Mom, I dropped my phone in the toilet, this is my new number. I need to pay a bill urgently, can you send $850 by Zelle? I'll pay you back tomorrow. Don't tell Dad.

🚩 Warning signs

  • New number + urgent money request
  • Asks you to keep it secret

✅ What to do

  • Call your relative on their old number or ask a family question only they would know.

Questions people ask

How does the scam checker work?+

It looks for the warning signs used in real US scams (fake toll and package texts, bank 'fraud alerts', IRS and Social Security threats, gift-card demands, fake websites and more) and explains each one it finds.

Is my message uploaded?+

No. The check runs entirely on your device. Nothing is sent or stored.

Where do I report a scam text?+

Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM) and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you lost money, contact your bank or card issuer immediately.

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