WhatsApp Scams: Hi Mom Texts, Code Theft and Fake Job Groups

The most common WhatsApp scams are family-impersonation messages (“Hi Mom, I lost my phone, this is my new number”), requests for the six-digit verification code WhatsApp texts you, and invitations to job or investment groups that end with you paying money in. The safe rule for all of them: never send money or a code based on a WhatsApp message alone. Call the person on the number you already have, and if you’ve paid, contact your bank straight away using the number on your card and report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

If you’ve been caught, you’re not alone and you’re not foolish. These messages are written to trigger love, worry or hope, and they’re sent by people who do this for a living. This guide covers the main versions, the warning signs and exactly what to do next.

Why scammers use WhatsApp

WhatsApp is where many people talk to family, so a message there feels personal. Anyone with your phone number can message you, a new number can have any name and profile photo, and groups let scammers reach many people at once with a convincing crowd of “members”. End-to-end encryption protects your conversations, but it doesn’t check who you’re talking to.

Common WhatsApp scams

The “Hi Mom” or “Hi Dad” message

Known in the UK and Australia as the “Hi Mum” scam, this one starts with a message from an unknown number: “Hi Mom, I dropped my phone, this is my new number.” After some friendly back-and-forth, your “child” has a problem. They can’t access their banking app on the new phone, and there’s a bill that has to be paid today. Could you send the money to this account, and they’ll pay you back?

The account belongs to the scammer. The messages often avoid voice calls (“my mic is broken”) and push for speed. Some versions impersonate a partner, a sibling or a friend. Our guides to grandparent scams and AI voice cloning scams cover related tricks, including voice notes that sound like someone you know.

Verification code hijacking

WhatsApp ties your account to your phone number and sends a six-digit code by text when someone registers that number on a new phone. A scammer tries to register your number, then messages you, often from a friend’s account they’ve already taken over, saying they sent you a code by mistake and asking you to forward it.

If you send it, they can take over your account, lock you out, and message your contacts asking for money. WhatsApp says you should never share your registration code or two-step verification PIN with anyone. If this has already happened, our guide to a hacked WhatsApp account walks through recovery.

Job and “task” groups

You receive a message from a “recruiter” or are added to a group offering easy remote work: liking videos, rating products, reviewing hotels. The first few tasks pay small amounts, which builds trust. Then the tasks require you to “top up” your account with your own money, often in crypto, to qualify for bigger commissions, and withdrawals keep being blocked by new fees. Our guide to job scams explains this pattern in depth.

Investment and crypto groups

You’re added to a group of apparently successful investors led by a “professor” or “mentor”, with an assistant who messages you privately. Other members post screenshots of big profits. You’re encouraged to open an account on a trading app or website where your balance appears to grow, until you try to withdraw. Many of the group members are fake. See our guides to investment scams and crypto scams for how these unfold.

Wrong numbers, fake businesses and prizes

Other common versions include a friendly “wrong number” message that turns into a friendship, a romance or an investment pitch (see the wrong number text scam); fake customer support accounts for banks, airlines and delivery companies; and messages claiming you’ve won a prize or a free gift from a brand, with a link to claim it.

Warning signs of a WhatsApp scam

• A family member or friend messages from a new number and quickly asks for money.
• They can’t or won’t take a normal voice or video call.
• Anyone asks you for a six-digit code or your two-step verification PIN.
• You’re added to a group you never joined, full of people celebrating profits.
• A job pays you for simple tasks, then asks you to deposit money.
• The payment goes to an account in someone else’s name, or it has to be crypto or gift cards.
• You’re pushed to act immediately, or asked not to tell anyone.
• A “business” contacts you first on WhatsApp and sends a link to log in or pay.

What to do right now

1. Stop and verify. If the message claims to be family, call them on the number you’ve always used, or ask someone who can reach them. Don’t reply to the new number until you’ve checked.
2. If you sent money, call your bank. Use the number on the back of your card or in your official banking app, tell them it was a scam and ask them to try to stop or recall the payment. Speed matters.
3. If you shared a code, secure your account. Re-register WhatsApp with your phone number to get a new code, turn on two-step verification, and check linked devices. Warn your contacts that messages from your account may not be from you.
4. Save the evidence, then report and block. Screenshot the chat, the phone number and the payment details. In WhatsApp, you can report and block a contact or a group from the chat or the contact’s info screen, and reporting sends recent messages to WhatsApp for review.
5. Exit scam groups. Report the group, leave it, and check your privacy settings so strangers can’t add you again.

Where to report a WhatsApp scam

• WhatsApp: report the contact or group in the app.
• ReportFraud.ftc.gov: for any scam, whether or not you lost money.
• The FBI’s IC3 (ic3.gov): for online scams, especially investment, job and crypto schemes where money was sent.
• IdentityTheft.gov: if you shared your Social Security number, ID documents or bank logins.
• The company being impersonated: through its official website, if the scammer posed as a bank or brand.
• Forward scam SMS texts to 7726 (SPAM), if the scam also reached you by text.

Our hub on how to report a scammer has every route in one place, including the UK, Canada, Australia and Singapore.

Can you get your money back?

It depends on how you paid. A bank transfer reported quickly can sometimes be recalled if the money is still in the receiving account, and card payments usually have the strongest dispute rights. Payment-app transfers, wire transfers, gift cards and crypto are often hard or impossible to reverse, which is exactly why scammers ask for them.

Report it anyway, ask your bank for a reference number, and keep records of every call. And be wary of anyone who then offers to recover your money for a fee, including people claiming to be lawyers or investigators who found you through a group. That’s usually a second scam; our guide to recovery scams explains the signs.

A worked example

This is an illustrative scenario, not a real client. A father in Georgia gets a WhatsApp message on a Monday morning: “Hi Dad, it’s me, I broke my phone, this is my temporary number. Save it.” The profile photo is blank. An hour later: a rent payment is due today and the new phone can’t open the banking app. Could he send it to the landlord’s account, and she’ll pay him back Friday?

1. He asks for a quick call. The reply says the phone’s microphone is broken.
2. He calls his daughter’s usual number. She answers from her desk at work, with her phone in perfect order.
3. He screenshots the chat, then reports and blocks the number in WhatsApp.
4. He files a short report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and tells the family group chat, so his own parents know what to watch for.

The call on the old number took a minute and ended the scam. That single habit protects against almost every version of this trick.

How to protect yourself on WhatsApp

• Turn on two-step verification. It adds a PIN that’s required when your number is registered on a new phone, which makes code hijacking much harder.
• Never share a code. Not with friends, not with “WhatsApp support”, not with anyone.
• Control who can add you to groups. WhatsApp’s privacy settings let you limit group invitations to your contacts.
• Limit your profile photo and “about” to contacts. This makes it harder for scammers to copy your details or target you.
• Silence unknown callers if your version of the app offers it, and be skeptical of unknown international numbers.
• Talk to your family. Agree that money requests by message always get a phone call first.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Replying to the new number to “test” them. Scammers are good at answering questions from details found online. Call the old number instead.
• Forwarding a code “just to help”. It’s the key to your account.
• Staying in an investment group to see where it goes. The longer you stay, the stronger the pressure becomes.
• Paying a “withdrawal fee” to release profits. The balance isn’t real, and more fees will follow.
• Keeping quiet out of embarrassment. Telling your bank quickly is what gives it a chance to help.

When your number or name is used in a scam

If a scammer took over your WhatsApp, they may have messaged your contacts asking for money, which can damage trust with friends, family and clients. Post a short warning to your contacts, report the fake account, and read our guide on what to do if someone is impersonating you online. If the fallout reaches search results or social media, our social media reputation management team can help you assess what’s appearing and what can realistically be addressed.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if a Hi Mom message is a scam?

Call your child on the number you already have, or ask someone who can reach them. If they’re fine, the new number is a scammer. Real family members won’t mind a quick call before you send money.

What happens if I give someone my WhatsApp code?

They may be able to register your phone number on their device and take over your account, then message your contacts. Re-register WhatsApp on your phone straight away, turn on two-step verification and warn your contacts.

Why was I added to a WhatsApp group I don't know?

Scammers add random numbers to investment, crypto and job groups to find people who engage. Report and leave the group, and change your privacy settings so only your contacts can add you to groups.

Can WhatsApp get my money back?

No. WhatsApp can review and remove accounts but can’t reverse payments made outside the app. Contact your bank or payment provider as soon as possible, then report the scam to the FTC.