That Text From Your Kid? It's Probably Not Your Kid

You get a text from an unknown number: "Hey Mom, I dropped my phone in the toilet. This is my new number. Can you send me $500 for the bill? I'll pay you back."

Your heart skips. Your kid is in trouble. You reach for your wallet.

Stop.

That's not your kid. That's a scammer who sent the same message to thousands of people, hoping a few parents would panic and wire money before thinking.

This scam has been around for years, but it's surging again. Scammers know parents don't think straight when they believe their child needs help. They use urgency and vague stories to bypass your common sense.

Here's how to protect yourself:

Call your actual kid. Use the number you already have. If they answer confused, you just dodged a bullet.

Ask a question only they'd know. "What did we name your first goldfish?" works better than "Is this really you?"

Never send money through gift cards, wire transfers, or Venmo to unknown numbers. Legitimate emergencies don't require iTunes cards.

Tell your parents. Older generations are heavily targeted because scammers assume they're less tech-savvy and more trusting.

Scammers are good at their jobs. They study human psychology and exploit the moments when we're most vulnerable. The best defense is a three-second pause before you act.

When your phone buzzes with an emergency, take a breath. Verify before you trust.

Sparrowhawk Technology - Making your technology safe and easy to use.