Parental scam Alert: Protecting Yourself From Fake “Child in Need” Texts
A deceptive scam targeting parents is on the rise, preying on their unconditional love and willingness to help their children. It begins with a seemingly innocuous text message: Hello mom, I have a new number. My phone is broken, I contact you since it.
This message,however,is the bait in a carefully constructed trap.
How the Scam Works
Once contact is established, the fraudster, posing as the child, fabricates an urgent situation. This could involve needing money for a new phone, paying a fine, or resolving an alleged administrative issue. The request for funds is immediate and designed to bypass critical thinking.
- Emotional manipulation: messages are crafted to elicit a strong emotional response, often using affectionate, urgent, or even panicked language.
- Exploiting Parental Love: The scam leverages the deep bond between parent and child, leading victims to act quickly without verifying the situation.
- Financial Loss: Victims have reported transferring hundreds, even thousands, of dollars before realizing thay were communicating with a stranger.
An Escalating Threat
While initially reported in the United Kingdom, this scam has surged in France since 2023. the French government’s cyber security platform, cybermalveillance.gouv.fr, has noted a disturbing resurgence
of reported incidents. Experts believe the actual number of victims is likely higher, as many are hesitant to report the crime due to shame or fear of not being taken seriously.
Fraudsters primarily use SMS and WhatsApp, platforms that facilitate quick and inexpensive interaction. Once a dialog begins, they consistently avoid voice calls, claiming a faulty microphone or poor network connection. This tactic prevents voice verification and helps maintain the illusion.
Red Flags: How to Spot the Scam
Fortunately, several warning signs can help you identify and avoid this scam:
Pro Tip: Always be suspicious of unsolicited messages from unknown numbers, especially those claiming to be a family member in distress.
- Unknown Number: The message originates from a number you don’t recognize.
- Missing First Name: The sender avoids using a familiar name or nickname.
- Sudden Emergency: The message conveys a sense of urgency and immediate need.
- Refusal to Call: The sender adamantly refuses to have a voice conversation.
These red flags should raise immediate suspicion. A genuine child, even in a difficult situation, would typically agree to a phone call.
The recommended course of action is to ignore the message and contact your child directly through their known number or another communication channel. If in doubt, it is better to take a few minutes to check that everything is fine, rather than transferring a sum that will never come back.
What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed
If you have already responded and sent money, take these steps immediately:
- contact Your Bank: Immediately notify your bank to attempt to block the transfer.
- Gather Evidence: Collect all relevant details, including screenshots of messages and bank statements.
- File a Complaint: Report the scam to the appropriate authorities as soon as possible.
You can report online scams through the Pharos platform (internet-signalement.gouv.fr). Additionally, the number 33700 is the official channel for reporting suspicious SMS messages.
Authorities urge individuals to warn their family and friends, particularly the elderly or those less familiar with technology. Because the more the scam is known, the more it loses its effectiveness. This kind of fraud is based on surprise: once the trap is set, it becomes harmless.
FAQ: Protecting Yourself From Parental Scams
Did you know? Scammers often research their targets on social media to gather information that makes their impersonations more convincing.
- Q: How can I verify if a message is really from my child?
- A: Contact your child directly through their usual phone number or another trusted communication method.
- Q: What should I do if I receive a suspicious message?
- A: Do not respond to the message.Instead, contact the person the message claims to be from through a known and trusted channel.
- Q: Where can I report a scam?
- A: You can report scams to the pharos platform (internet-signalement.gouv.fr) or by forwarding suspicious SMS messages to 33700.
