ANZ is encouraging Australians to remain hyper-vigilant against scams this Mother’s Day, urging families to have an open conversation with each other to ensure they know how to spot the warning signs.
In particular, the bank is reminding mothers to be wary of “Hi Mum” scams; fraudulent text messages or calls from ‘loved ones’ claiming to need urgent financial help.
Impersonation scams such as “Hi Mum,” where criminals prey on mothers by pretending to be their child in need of money, are becoming increasingly sophisticated – with scammers contacting potential victims via text message, social media and phone calls sometimes able to copy the way the target’s child communicates to make their approach more convincing.
ANZ Scams Portfolio Lead, Ruth Talalla encourages Australians to regularly check in with family members to stay on top of the ever-changing scam environment.
“As scam tactics become more advanced, it’s vital Australians know how to recognise the warning signs.”
As well as a heightened risk of “Hi Mum” scams, ANZ is reminding families to be on the lookout for online shopping scams when purchasing gifts for mum, which typically target shoppers during peak retail periods.
“Scammers are especially opportunistic in the lead up to special occasions like Mother’s Day. Whether by posing as relatives or brands and sellers online, we’re reminding Australians to ensure the whole family knows how to watch out for red flags such as inconsistent or unfamiliar contact information, significantly cheaper offers compared with other sellers, or any deal that seems too good to be true,” Ms Talalla concluded.
Warning signs of impersonation scams and how to avoid them:
