This morning, one of our clients received a message that would catch any parent off guard:
“Hi Dad, my phone broke. This is my new number—WhatsApp me when you can.”
No links. No urgent money requests. No glaring red flags.
But something didn’t feel right. He knew his daughter was driving to work. Why would she suddenly be texting from a new number?
That gut feeling was correct: it was a scam.
This tactic is a textbook example of social engineering—but not the kind that screams danger. Instead, it hides in plain sight, using emotion, familiarity, and subtle manipulation to bypass your defenses.
The goal? Establish trust first, then strike with a follow-up request (usually for money, a code, or sensitive information). It’s clean. It’s simple. And it works.
So, What Can You Do?
These scams are becoming more frequent and more personalized. Here’s what we recommend:
- ✅ Double-check via another trusted channel (call, video, or known number) to confirm the situation.
- ✅ Agree on a family safety word ahead of time. If someone contacts you with an emergency, ask for it.
- ✅ Mark it as spam or report it if something feels off. Trust your instincts.
These scams don’t rely on hacking tools—they rely on human psychology. And while they may seem obvious in hindsight, they often catch people off guard when they happen in real time.
If this story helps even one person pause before replying, it’s worth sharing.
