Phishmael & FriendsPhone scams work because we trust voices and names on our screens. In this episode, Sharkley tries two classics, and the Reef learns how to beat them.
The 'Hi Mum, new number' text. A message from an unknown number claims to be a family member whose phone broke. Then it asks for money, or for a code that was just sent to you. Gary checks the easy way: he calls Mum on the number already saved in his phone. Her phone is fine.
The 'safe account' call. A caller says they're from the bank's fraud team, your account has been hacked, and you must move your money to a 'safe account', or read out a code. Banks don't ask customers to move money to a safe account, and they don't ask you to read out security codes.
Why the screen can lie: the name or number shown on a call can be faked (this is called spoofing). And scammers can now use AI to copy a voice from a short clip.
The rule: hang up, look up the real number yourself (on the back of a bank card, or in your saved contacts), and call back. A real organisation won't mind. A scammer will panic. And for family emergencies, agree a secret code word that only your family knows.