Securify Blog

“Hi Mom, new number.” Or not?

By the Securify team Published Oct 11, 2026. 1 min read.

The safe move

Call your loved one on the number you already have. If you can’t reach them, check with another family member before sending money.

+1 (555) 013-2291

Text Message
Today 9:41 AM

Hi Mom, this is my new number1. I need help paying a bill today2. I can’t talk3.

What gives it away

  1. A new number

    Anyone can claim to be family from a new number.

  2. Money, today

    A money request from a new number is a reason to check who is writing.

  3. No way to check

    It stops you from calling to confirm.

Pretends to be
Your child
Arrives by
Texts
After
Money today
Main source
Federal Trade Commission, Jul 3, 2018

What’s going on

A text claiming to be family can come from an impersonator. A money request from a new number is a reason to check who is writing.

If you already sent money

  • Gift card: call the number on the back of the card right away and ask for a refund. Keep the card and the receipt.
  • Wire transfer: call the wire company, like Western Union or MoneyGram, right away and ask for a refund.
  • Payment app or bank transfer: report it to the app or your bank right away and ask them to reverse the payment.

Report it

Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM), then report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Sources

  1. Federal Trade Commission, Jul 3, 2018
  2. Federal Trade Commission, “How to Recognize and Report Spam Text Messages”, July 2022
  3. Federal Trade Commission, “What To Do if You Were Scammed”

Get your protection now

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