Scams
"New number" family scam
In Turkish: "Yeni numaram" aile dolandırıcılığı
A message from an unknown number claims to be your child or relative with a new phone and asks you to pay something urgently.
The message is short and warm: "Hi, this is my new number, my phone broke, can you pay a bill for me right now?" It is urgent and emotional on purpose, so you act before you think.
A related version comes from a real friend's hijacked account, using their name and photo. In both cases, one call to the number you already have for that person settles it.
What to do
- Call the person on the old number you already have, before paying anything.
- Agree a family code word or a question that only your family can answer.
- Do not pay a bill or send money to an account you do not recognise.