'Mom/Dad, I Lost My Phone — New Number' Text
A text claims to be your child from a new number after losing their phone, then asks you to pay a bill or send money urgently.
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What this scam is
You get a text from an unknown number saying it is your son or daughter texting from a new or temporary phone because theirs broke or was lost. After a warm exchange, they say they cannot access their banking app and ask you to pay a bill or send money urgently by app. It is a scripted impersonation blasted to many parents. The 'new number' explains why it doesn't match your child's real contact.
What it usually looks like
- A text from an unknown number claiming to be your child.
- A story about a lost/broken phone and a new number.
- A request to pay a bill or send money urgently.
- Reasons they can't call or access their own bank.
Common warning signs
- A 'new number' for a family member with an urgent money ask.
- Requests to pay a bill for them via app.
- Reluctance or inability to talk by voice.
- Pressure and urgency.
Example wording scammers use
“Hi Mom, I dropped my phone in water and this is my temporary number. Can you help me pay a bill? My banking app won't work.”
“It's me, new phone — can you Zelle $500 to my landlord today? I'll pay you back.”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- A quick app payment.
- To impersonate your child.
- To exploit parental worry.
What to do
- Call your child's known number to confirm before doing anything.
- Ask a question only they would know.
- Do not send money based on a text from a new number.
- Block and report if it's a scam.
What to do if you already responded
- Contact your payment app to try to reverse it.
- Confirm your child is safe.
- Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.