Your “son” messages from a new number asking for urgent money

This message arrives early on a Monday morning.

0802 3456

This number is not in your contacts

Mummy good morning, it’s me Seun. I’m using my friend’s phone, mine got spoilt.

7:15 am

Please I need ₦60,000 for school fees today or they will stop me from writing my exam. Send it to this account: 01234567. I will explain later.

7:16 am

What would you do?

Send the money. It’s for his exam

Not safe. The rush and the new number are both warning signs. Many parents lose money this way.

Reply and ask, “Is this really you?”

Not safe. A scammer will simply say yes. You need to check in a way they can’t control.

Call Seun on the number you already have saved for him

Safe choice. Correct. If it’s really him, he will answer and explain. If not, you have stopped a scam.